KAHULUI—The Baldwin Bears defeated the Kamehameha Maui Warriors Wednesday, March 29, at Patsy T. Mink Field. The Bears held the Warriors at 5-2 from the fourth inning until the end of the game.

The Warriors scored their first point in the second inning, taking a 1-0 lead against the Bears. Freshman Kahelelani Alipio sprinted to home base on senior Kiera Viela’s single hit, which was dropped by the Bears’ Kacey Sakamoto.

The Bears scored five times on hits to the Warriors’ outfield early in the game.

In an exciting fifth inning, a double from Kamehameha’s Montana Vaught had the Warriors manning every base, but the Bears quickly grabbed Nagasako’s sacrifice bunt to end the inning, and the Warriors did not score.

“The [Baldwin Bears] did pretty good, and they did what they had to do. In the end, it’s just a game and a win is a win,” said Sanoe Kekahuna, Baldwin’s head coach.

The game ended 5-2 with another win for the Bears, but the game was the closest one yet for the Warriors alongside their recent game against Nā Aliʻi, who won 8-5.

The Warriors have played several games this season that were held to five innings under the mercy rule, but halfway into the season, the team has been improving and playing all seven innings, including in yesterday’s game.

“We try to keep our mistakes to a minimum as much as possible, and this game was an accomplishment,” KSM senior Montana Vaught said.

The Warriors’ 3-point loss is an improvement over their first game against Baldwin, Mar. 11, when they lost 18-1.

The Warriors’ next game is Saturday, April 1 at Patsy T. Mink Field against the Maui High Sabers at 10 a.m.

Gallery • 6 Photos

Photo by Brianne Reformina

Freshman Jerriah Solomon hits a pop-fly to the Baldwin in-fielders.