Hawaii Winter Baseball: Recaps

By Chris Kline and Matt Eddy
November 20, 2006

The Hawaiian Winter League is back in action for the first time since 1997. We'll give you the game capsules here, and for those of you that want to follow it more closely, check out the Honolulu Advertiser.

Nov. 19

West Oahu 11, North Shore 5

The West Oahu CaneFires reeled off 11 runs Sunday thanks to some heavy hitting by a trio of Rangers farmhands. Third baseman John Whittleman supplied the most sock, connecting for two home runs -- one of them a grand slam in the first inning -- good for five RBIs in four trips to the plate. Right fielder John Mayberry Jr. drove in two and scored twice in his 1-for-2 day. His 21 RBIs rank second in the league. Catcher Emerson Frostad has had a tough time behind the plate (he's caught just three of 23 HWB basestealers), but he connected for his seventh double yesterday and drove in one. West Oahu righthander Ian Kennedy (Yankees) started but did not get the win, despite hefty run support, because he went just 4 2/3 innings. He allowed three runs on six hits but did strike out eight. North Shore's biggest star was right fielder Lorenzo Cain (Brewers), who nabbed his eleventh and twelfth HWB stolen bases -- ranking him third in the league -- as part of a 3-for-5 day.

Waikiki 2, Honolulu 0

Waikiki scored just twice, but it was enough. Honolulu pitchers allowed just two runs -- only one of them earned -- but Sharks batters could muster no offense against Waikiki pitchers, especially starter Rick Vanden Hurk (Marlins). Vanden Hurk continued to impress by throwing five scoreless innings while striking out eight and allowing just a single. Waikiki right fielder Nate Schierholtz (Giants) drove in both runs with a pair of hits, while center fielder Dexter Fowler (Rockies) also went 2-for-4. Fowler added a pair of runs scored and two stolen bases.

Nov. 15

Honolulu 2, Waikiki 1

Honolulu first baseman Hisashi Kawata (Japan) may have driven in the Sharks' only two runs, but left fielder Ryan Patterson (Blue Jays) was the lone American prospect to have a big game. He went 3-for-4, doubled twice and stole a base. Righthander Wardell Starling (Pirates) notched the three-inning save. Waikiki righthander Ching-Lung Lo (Rockies) allowed two runs on six hits in four innings.

North Shore 7, West Oahu 4

West Oahu left fielder Will Venable (Padres) and right fielder John Mayberry Jr. (Rangers) contributed solo home runs to the losing CaneFires' effort. Righthander Jeff Marquez (Yankees) started and gave up four runs in five innings. Center fielder Darren Ford (Brewers) had the most notable game for the victorious Honu, as he went 2-for-5 with a triple and a home run, scoring twice.

Nov. 14

North Shore 3, West Oahu 2

West Oahu righthander Jarrod Plummer (Royals) allowed one run in two relief innings to take the loss. He did strike out three North Shore batters. Righthander Ian Kennedy (Yankees) started and went four innings, striking out six but allowing two runs. Right fielder Dustin Martin (Mets) was the hero for North Shore, going 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run and his sixth double.

Waikiki 9, Honolulu 5

Waikiki right fielder Cole Garner (Rockies) was easily the BeachBoys batting star. He collected three hits--including two home runs--in four trips to the plate, driving in six runs. He tied three others for the HWB lead with four homers. Waikiki righthander Rick Vanden Hurk (Marlins) continued to dazzle, striking out five in four innings and giving up no runs. Honolulu center fielder Nyjer Morgan reached on a hit, a walk and scored twice. He also increased his league-leading stolen base total to 19.

Nov. 12

North Shore 4, Honolulu 1

The Honu scored two runs in the top of the seventh to seal a 4-1 win against the Sharks on Sunday, led by designated hitter--and Hawaii native--Rodney Choy Foo (Indians). Choy Foo homered in the fourth inning and added an RBI double in the seventh to help pace the North Shore offense. Righthander Zach Hammes (Dodgers) closed things out, despite allowing two hits in his one inning to earn the save. Yesterday's HWB games only went seven innings because of a shortage of pitching according to league officials.

Waikiki 5, West Oahu 2

BeachBoys shortstop Ian Desmond (Nationals) had quite the weekend, hitting the game-winning homer in the top of the ninth on Saturday, then went 2-for-3 with a double and a pair of RBIs as Waikiki defeated West Oahu, 5-2. Designated hitter Devin Ivany (Nationals) had a pair of hits and second baseman Chris Nelson (Rockies) went 1-for-4 with a home run in the victory.

Nov. 9

Honolulu 6, West Oahu 2

Sharks center fielder Nyjer Morgan (Pirates) doubled, tripled and stole his league-leading 18th base to lead Honolulu past West Oahu, 6-2. The Sharks poured it on against all three Cane Fires' pitchers, but righthander Jeff Marquez (Yankees) took the loss. Marquez allowed a pair of run on three hits, struck out three and walked two over five innings of work.

Waikiki 3, North Shore 2

BeachBoys first baseman Duke Sardinha (Rockies) hit a two-out walk-off homer off lefthander Joe Thatcher (Brewers) in the bottom of the 10th inning to lead Waikiki past the Honu, 3-2. BeachBoys righthander Rick Vanden Hurk (Marlins) set the tone for the pitching staff, allowing an earned run over five innings and striking out seven.

Nov. 8

West Oahu 10, Honolulu 4

Cane Fires catcher John Otness (Red Sox) homered, and John Mayberry, Jr. (Rangers) doubled and drove in a pair as West Oahu topped the Sharks, 10-4. Otness went 3-for-4, and designated hitter Brian McFall (Royals) also drove in two runs for the Cane Fires in the victory. Righthander Ian Kennedy (Yankees) allowed a pair of runs on three hits over 3 2/3 innings for West Oahu. Kennedy struck out six and walked one.

Waikiki 2, North Shore 0

Led by righthander Chin-Lung Lo (Rockies), the Waikiki pitching staff allowed just three hits as the BeachBoys shut out the Honu, 2-0. Lo allowed just one hit over five innings, striking out nine and walking one. Infielder Mark Minicozzi (Giants) went 1-for-2, driving in an insurance run in the seventh on his eighth double of the HWB season. Minicozzi now leads the league in hitting (.318) and RBIs (20).


Nov. 7

North Shore 2, Waikiki 0

Honu first baseman Mike Carp (Mets) had a pair of hits as North Shore scored the go-ahead run in the eighth and tacked on one more in the ninth on doubles by catcher Keiyo Aomatsu and Jonathan Tucker (Orioles) to defeat the BeachBoys, 2-0. Waikiki third baseman Mark Minicozzi went 1-for-4 with a double and is now tied with Nyjer Morgan (Pirates) for the overall batting lead with a .313 average.

Honolulu 8, West Oahu 6

The Sharks rattled out 11 hits and Ryan Patterson (Blue Jays) homered in the seventh inning as Honolulu defeated West Oahu, 8-6. Nyjer Morgan (Pirates) went 2-for-5 with a triple, two runs scored and two stolen bases in the win. Morgan now leads the league in steals with 17.

Nov. 1

West Oahu 4, Waikiki 2

West Oahu DH John Mayberry Jr. (Rangers) hit his fifth HWB double and collected two RBIs in a 4-2 CaneFires win. Righthander Neil Jamison (Padres) got the two-inning save, but did allow two hits and a run. Waikiki right fielder Nate Schierholltz (Giants) was 1-for-3 with his second triple in a losing effort.

Oct. 31

Waikiki 7, West Oahu 3

The CaneFires got another outstanding start from righthander Joba Chamberlain, but their bullpen couldn't hang on, as the Beach Boys rallied for four runs in the sixth inning--tacking on runs in both the seventh and eighth to defeat West Oahu, 7-3. Chamberlain, one of the Yankees' top pitching prospects, allowed a run on two hits and struck out five over five innings. This fall, the 2006 first-rounder is now 1-2, 2.66 with a 30-3 strikeout-walk ratio in 24 innings.

Oct. 29

North Shore 5, Waikiki 3

The five runs scored off Waikiki righthander Rick Vanden Hurk (Marlins) in his five innings of work would be all the offense North Shore needed. Honu center fielder Darren Ford (Brewers) and first baseman Mike Carp (Mets) drove in two runs apiece. Waikiki left fielder Tomoaki Egawa (Japan--Fukuoka) connected for two doubles as part of a 2-for-3 day.

Honolulu 4, West Oahu 2

Center fielder Nyjer Morgan (Pirates) continued to make the Honolulu offense go. He went just 1-for-5, but contributed a triple and two RBIs. He ranks first in HWB in runs (15) and stolen bases (13); second in hits (21) and slugging percentage (.455); and third in average (.318). Honolulu righthander Hideki Asai (Japan) allowed one run in five innings, and three relievers surrendered just one more. The West Oahu pitching was not quite so good. Starting righthander Jeff Marquez (Yankees) and closer Neil Jamison (Padres) each surrendered two runs.

Oct. 25

North Shore 5, West Oahu 0

North Shore got all the runs they would need off West Oahu righthander Joba Chamberlain (Yankees), who allowed two runs on four hits in his 4 2/3 innings of work. The Honu offense was led by right fielder Lorenzo Cain (Brewers), who chipped in two RBIs, and third baseman Blake Dewitt (Dodgers), who was 3-for-4 with a run scored. North Shore righthander Keisuke Hayashi (Japan--Chiba Lotte) pitched four shutout innings, lowering his ERA to 1.20, fourth best in HWB.

Waikiki 7, Honolulu 1

Waikiki lefthander Atsushi Nohmi (Japan--Hanshin) and four other pitchers limited Honolulu to three hits in an easy Beach Boys' victory. Right fielder Ryan Patterson (Blue Jays) hit a triple in three at-bats and had the Sharks' only extra-base hit. Beach Boys second baseman Eric Young Jr. (Rockies) had an eventful day on the bases: He stole two bases in three tries and was picked off first base. He went 2-for-4, scored a run and committed his fifth error of the HWB season. His teammate, DH Nate Schoierholtz (Giants), continued his offensive surge by hitting his second HWB home run and fourth double as part of a 3-for-5 day.

Oct. 24

Waikiki 9, Honolulu 8

A couple of Nationals prospects led Waikiki's nine-run attack. Catcher Devin Ivany connected for a home run and a double and drove in three runs, while shortstop Ian Desmond doubled, stole a base and drove in a run. Honolulu countered with eight runs in a losing effort, with second baseman Paco Figueroa (Orioles) going  3-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and three RBIs. He bumped his average to a league-leading .333.

North Shore 10, West Oahu 9

In the night's other HWB slugfest, North Shore first baseman Cory Dunlap (Dodgers) homered and doubled, driving in four runs, as part of a 3-for-5 effort. Right fielder Lorenzo Cain (Brewers) both drove in and scored three runs for the Honu. He also hit his first HWB home run and stole a base. Left fielder Jeff Corsaletti (Red Sox) was the offensive star for West Oahu, collecting two hits and four RBIs.

Oct. 22

Honolulu 8, West Oahu 1

Honolulu lefthander Kanehisa Arime turned in one of the finest HWB performances yet, going eight innings while giving up just one run on five hits. The Japanese League star pushed his record to 3-0 and his ERA to a league-best 0.34. Meanwhile, Arime's opponent, West Oahu righthander Ian Kennedy (Yankees), had one of the worst starts imaginable: 1 1/3 innings, two walks, eight runs on eight hits. A pair of prospects chipped in two RBIs each to drive in half of the Sharks' eight-run output. Third baseman Van Pope (Braves) went 2-for-4 with a double and shortstop Brian Bixler (Pirates) went 2-for-3 with a two runs scored.

Waikiki 4, North Shore 1

Waikiki righthander Ching-Lung Lo (Rockies) pitched five strong innings to notch his first HWB win. Righthander Bobby Parnell (Mets) went four innings for North Shore, but surrendered seven hits (three of them home runs) and four runs in four innings. North Shore DH Cory Dunlap (Dodgers) drove in the only run for the Honu and collected two hits. The three Beach Boys hitters to connect for solo home runs were third baseman Mark Minicozzi (Giants), DH Nate Schierholtz (Giants) and first baseman Duke Sardinha (Rockies).

Oct. 18

North Shore 7, Honolulu 4

In what could be described as the game of triples, Honu first baseman Mike Carp (Mets) and shortstop Jonathan Tucker (Orioles) both tripled against Sharks starter Wardell Starling (Pirates), chasing the righthander after 3 1/3 innings and leading North Shore to a 7-4 win against Honolulu. Right fielder Dustin Martin (Mets) also went 2-for-3 with three RBIs for the Honu. On the other side, outfielder Nyjer Morgan (Pirates) and Yoshiyuki Kamei (Yomiuri) also tripled for the Honu and Paco Figueroa (Orioles) went 2-for-4 with a double and a pair of RBIs. Starling, who took the loss, allowed five runs on five hits, while lefthander Scott Koerber (Cubs) earned the win. Koerber allowed a run on four hits and struck out four over five innings.

West Oahu 11, Waikiki 6

The CaneFires exploded for five runs in the top of the fourth inning, jumping on righthander Rick Vanden Hurk (Marlins) with a pair of home runs in the frame to down the Beach Boys, 11-6. West Oahu first baseman Brian McFall (Royals) and third baseman Yasushi Iihara (Yakult) each homered in the fourth against Vanden Hurk, who allowed seven earned runs on four hits, struck out seven and walked four over 3 1/3 innings. CaneFires starter Jeff Marquez (Yankees) didn’t fare especially well either, allowing four runs on six hits--including two homers--over five innings.

Oct. 17

Waikiki 6, Honolulu 3

Beach Boys second baseman Eric Young Jr. (Rockies) went 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs and Waikiki teed off on the Sharks bullpen to down Honolulu, 6-3. Waikiki righthander Ching-Lung Lo wasn't sharp for a third straight start, allowing three runs on three hits over four innings, but the Beach Boys' bullpen shut down Honolulu over the final five frames to preserve the victory. Sharks lefthander Kanehisa Arime (Rakuten)--who stretched his scoreless innings streak to 18--allowed an unearned run on one hit and struck out four over five innings of work, but Waikiki rallied against reliever Kazumasa Kikuchi (Hokkaido). Kikuchi allowed four runs on three hits over just 2/3 of an inning to take the loss.

West Oahu 7, North Shore 4

CaneFires catcher Josh Ford (Diamondbacks) went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and drove in three runs and righthander Ian Kennedy (Yankees) shut down the Honu to lead West Oahu past North Shore, 7-4. Kennedy, the 21st overall pick in June, allowed a pair of hits, struck out seven and walked three over four shutout innings of work. Lorenzo Cain (Brewers) went 2-for-5 and catcher Sal Butera (Mets) drove in two runs for the Honu.


Oct. 12

Waikiki 6, West Oahu 0

Rockies prospects Eric Young Jr. and Chris Nelson combined for six hits and right fielder Nate Schierholtz (Giants) drove in a pair of runs as Waikiki shut down the CaneFires, 6-0 on Thursday. Three Beach Boys pitchers limited West Oahu to just two hits--both coming against game-winner Atsushi Nohmi (Hanshin). Nohmi allowed a double to first baseman Mike Stodolka (Royals) and a single to third baseman Yasushi Iihara (Yakult) in four shutout innings of relief behind starter Rick Vanden Hurk (Marlins). Vanden Hurk tossed four hitless innings, walking one and striking out nine. Righthander Brian Anderson (Giants) pitched a perfect ninth to preserve the win.

North Shore 6, Honolulu 5

North Shore scored a run in the top of the eighth inning to take the 6-5 lead over the Sharks, and relievers Keisuke Hayashi (Chiba Lotte) and Zach Hammes (Dodgers) shut down Honolulu over the final two frames to complete the victory. Designated hitter Dustin Martin (Mets) and first baseman Mike Carp (Mets) combined to score four runs for the Honu, while starter Scott Koerber (Cubs) allowed three runs on six hits, striking out eight over four innings. Center fielder Nyjer Morgan (Pirates) and Braves prospects Eric Campbell and Clint Sammons each collected two hits for Honolulu.


Oct. 10

Honolulu 9, North Shore 8

The Honu scored three runs in the top of the ninth to tie the game up at 8-8, but righthander Blake Eager (Mets) imploded over the final 1 1/3 innings as Honolulu topped North Shore, 9-8. Eager allowed three runs on five hits--including a two-run homer by Hisashi Kawata (Rakuten) in the eighth to give Honolulu an 8-5 lead. But North Shore came roaring back, scoring three runs against righthander Justin Vaclavik (Pirates) in just 1/3 of an inning of work before lefthander David Haehnel stopped the bleeding for the Sharks. Brian Bixler (Pirates) went 2-for-2 with a pair of runs scored, and Braves infielders Eric Campbell and Van Pope combined to go 4-for-8 with four RBIs to pace Honolulu's attack.

West Oahu 7, Waikiki 4

West Oahu jumped all over Beach Boys righthander Ching-Lung Lo (Rockies), highlighted by a second-inning homer by Emerson Frostad (Rangers), a pair of doubles by Chris Rahl (Diamondbacks) and John Otness (Red Sox), and a triple by Makoto Moriyama (Orix). Lo allowed six earned runs on five hits, struck out two and walked two over three innings of work. The 6-foot-6 21-year-old righthander--who went 10-5, 5.39 in 155 innings at low Class A Asheville during the regular season--is now 0-2, 15.00 in just six innings in the Hawaiian League.

Oct. 4

Honolulu 7, Waikiki 0

Nyjer Morgan (Pirates), Paco Figueroa (Orioles) and Brian Bixler (Pirates) combined for six hits and six runs scored as Honolulu shut out Waikiki, 7-0. The Beach Boys managed just four hits against five Honolulu arms, and lefthander Dave Haehnel (Orioles) picked up the win for the Sharks. Haehnel, who struggled in a starting role at high Class A Frederick this year, where he went 2-11, 6.22 with 61 walks in 116 innings, allowed a pair of hits over two innings. Waikiki righthander Ching-Lung Lo (Rockies) took the loss, allowing four runs on six hits over three innings.

North Shore 6, West Oahu 2

Honu second baseman Blake DeWitt (Dodgers) went 2-for-4 and DH Dustin Martin (Mets) went 2-for-2, connecting for a three-run homer in the fourth off CaneFires righthander Toyoji Matsumura (Orix), to lead North Shore. West Oahu managed just four hits, as lefthander Joe Thatcher (Brewers) and righthander Keisuke Hayashi (Chiba Lotte) tossed two shutout innings apiece, with Thatcher picking up the win.

Oct. 3

Waikiki 4, Honolulu 3

The Beach Boys scored three runs in the seventh inning, then plated the go-ahead run in the eighth to upend Honolulu, 4-3. Dexter Fowler (Rockies) went 2-for-3 with a double and a stolen base, while shortstop Ian Desmond (Nationals) went 2-for-4 with a run scored for the Beach Boys. Righthander Adam Carr, the Nationals 15th-round pick in June, pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up the save.

West Oahu 6, North Shore 3

West Oahu rallied for four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat North Shore, 6-3. Canefires catcher Emerson Frostad (Rangers) and designated hitter Jon Otness (Red Sox) both doubled off North Shore reliever Ayumu Yamamoto, highlighting the four-run eighth. Yamamoto took the loss, allowing four earned runs on three hits in just 1/3 of an inning of work. Yankees prospects Jeff Marquez and Ian Kennedy pitched well for the CaneFires, as Marquez allowed a pair of runs and struck out five over 2 2/3 innings and Kennedy blanked North Shore for 2 1/3, whiffing five and walking two.


Games of Oct. 1

Waikiki Beach Boys 4, Honolulu Sharks 0

Rockies outfielder Dexter Fowler went 3-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs as Waikiki topped Honolulu, 4-0 in the Hawaiian Winter League opener on Sunday. Grant Psomas (Marlins) added an RBI single and Sebastien Boucher (Mariners) scored two runs for the Beach Boys. The Sharks managed just two hits--both coming against Japanese lefthander Atsushi Nohmi.

North Shore Honu 14, West Oahu CaneFires 5

Brewers outfielder Darren Ford and Astros third baseman Koby Clemens combined for six hits and four runs scored to pace North Shore's 14-hit attack. Outfielder Xavier Paul (Dodgers) and Japanese catcher Keiyo Aomatsu both homered for the Honu, and Yankees 2006 first-rounder Joba Chamberlain took the loss for West Oahu. Chamberlain allowed a run on two hits, struck out one and walked two over two innings of work.