SAN RAFAEL, Calif. - Na Koa Ikaika Maui staged a four-run rally in the ninth inning but lost 6-5 to the San Rafael Pacifics on Sunday in the decisive third game of the North American League's North Division championship series.
Maui High School graduate Ka-laika Kahoohalahala drove in two runs for Na Koa in the ninth with a two-out single, and Maui got within a run when he scored on a double by the next batter, Danny Sandoval, who then stole third base, but Nick Valdez struck out to end the game.
The teams combined for nine errors - five by the Pacifics (34-26), including three on third baseman Will Wright. Three of the runs scored by Maui (36-30) in the ninth were unearned after an error by shortstop Darrick Hale.
Kahoohalahala finished 2-for-5 and scored two runs. Sandoval was 2-for-5 and stole two bases.
San Rafael starter Jesse Garcia (1-2) pitched five scoreless innings, striking out seven batters.
Johnny Woodard hit a solo homer in the first for the Pacifics, and Maikel Jova drove in two runs with a double during a four-run third.
Na Koa starter Mike Williams
(2-6) allowed five runs - three earned - in 2 1/3 innings.
Maui ............... 000 ..... 000 ..... 014-5 ..... 9 ..... 4
San Rafael .... 104 ..... 010 ..... 00x-6 ..... 6 ...... 5
Mike Williams, Josh Larson (3), Yoshihiro Doi (7), Mike Koons (7), Victor Ferrante (8) and Nick Valdez. Jesse Garcia, Andrew Pevsner (6), Tyler Graham (7), Matthew Stabelfeld (8), Julian Arballo (9) and D.J. Dixon. W-Garcia 1-2. L-Williams 2-6. HR-San Rafael, Johnny Woodard (10). 2B-Maui, Danny Sandoval (8). San Rafael, Maikel Jova (11).
Leading hitters-Maui, Kalaika Kahoohalahala 2-5, 2 RBI, 2 runs; Waylen Sing Chow 2-4, BB, run; Sandoval 2-5, 2 SB, RBI. San Rafael, Jova 1-4, 2 RBI; Darrick Hale 2-4, run.
