HILO — The Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i baseball team won Game Two of the BIIF Division II Championship series, beating Konawaena High School 6-4 to secure the title on Tuesday afternoon.
Later that evening, Waiakea High School plated a run in the bottom sixth to defeat Hilo High School 1-0 and tie the Division I Championship series.
DII: KSH over Konawaena, 6-4
After being held to no hits during Monday’s 2-0 loss, the Wildcats out-hit the Warriors 12-10 in Game Two — but were left with runners on base repeatedly as KSH’s defense made big stops.
“It was a culmination of lessons learned,” said KSH head coach Andrew Correa. “We learned from mistakes that happened throughout the season. I’m happy for them.”
Like Game One, the Warriors took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. In the top frame, Konawaena’s first two batters flew out to the outfield before Trez Uemoto singled on a line drive to right field. Uemoto was stranded on first after Keyan Kanahele punched out the fourth batter. In the bottom frame, Warriors leadoff Liwai Correa reached first as his infield grounder was errored. Kaohu Kawelu reached on a HBP, then a flyout and a lineout threatened the frame. Noah Palea hit a ground ball, and another infield error let him touch base as Correa scored. Shiloh Santos singled on an infield grounder to bat in Kawelu, then Palea was tagged out at second to end the inning.
The Wildcats tied the score in the top third. Kolt Baptista led with a single, then Kanahele fanned the next batter after Baptista stole second. Taven Hiraishi singled, then Baptista scored on a passed ball. Uemoto followed up with another single to bat in Hiraishi before a flyout and a strikeout ended the frame.
Konawaena’s excitement was dampened when KSH plated three runs in the bottom third. Kawelu led with a double on a fly ball to left field — then after a groundout, Kawelu was batted in by Dylan Hanson’s single. The next batter flew out, but the Wildcats were unable to end the frame as Santos singled and Kamaka Ili walked to load the bases. Another walk and a HBP gave two more runs to the Warriors, and prompted a pitching change. Uemoto took the mound and fanned a batter to leave the bases loaded.
“We always expect to play close games,” coach Correa said. “We expect to play good defense and manage the game. As long as you’re up by one at the end of the game, that’s all that matters.”
In the top fifth, Konawaena inched closer — reducing its deficit to 5-4. AJ Blanco led with a walk, then Hiraishi singled on a ground ball to left field. A batter flew out to Santos in right field — then Blanco stole home while the pitcher was distracted by Hiraishi stealing second during the next at-bat. Maika Akamu hit a sacrifice fly to bat in Hiraishi.
The Warriors scored one more run in the bottom sixth. Kawelu tripled on a line drive to center field, then Dominic Christensen singled to bat him in. KSH then quickly downed the Wildcats in the top seventh for the win. Hiraishi led with a single, then Uemoto wore a HBP. Hiraishi stole third, but Uemoto was caught stealing second — and Kekama Robello punched out the batter. With two outs and a runner on third, the next batter grounded out to Justin Kubojiri at third base.
“We threw the ball around and took care of the ball better than the first time we played (Konawaena),” coach Correa said. “We pitched better, especially in the first game (of the championship series).”
Despite the loss, Konawaena’s postseason is not over. The Wildcats and Warriors will both receive a berth in the HHSAA DII State playoffs, which start this coming Wednesday at various high schools on O‘ahu. The double-elimination, eight-team bracket will also include one Honolulu team, three teams from greater O‘ahu, a team from Kauai and a team from the Maui Interscholastic League. The Championship game and third-place game will be played Friday, May 5th at Les Murakami Stadium.
DI: Waiakea over Hilo, 1-0
Both teams were airtight on defense, with WHS notching just five hits and HHS with four.
The stadium was packed, and the neck-and-neck battle’s intensity had reached a boiling point by the sixth inning.
In the top sixth, Hilo loaded the bases — but Waiakea pitcher Kaleb Wada was unfazed and played a major part in keeping the Vikings out of the run column.
Kamren Agpalza led Hilo’s top sixth with a single on a line drive to left field. Next, Makenna Wakakuwa sacrifice bunted to advance Agpalza to second. The Warriors made a wise decision to intentionally walk Devin Saltiban — who had an absolute slugfest the night prior, hitting a double and a solo homer to go two-for-three. Wada fanned the next batter to put the second out on the board. Legend Lancaster hit an infield grounder and reached first with exceptional speed to load the bases. The next batter reached a full count, and as the tension became almost visible, Wada punched him out.
The bottom frame was, debatably, an even more exciting battle than the top. Clemson Julian led with a walk, and was replaced by pinch runner Kalama Ulibas. Isaiah Justo laid down a bunt and reached base, but was put out short of second on a fielder’s choice while Ivor Brooks reached on a ground ball. Jaiden-Lee Gabriel hit another ground ball, reaching on a fielder’s choice as Brooks was tagged out and Ulibas scored. Jonah Banasan singled, then the next batter grounded out.
In the top seventh, Waiakea downed Hilo in three at-bat’s to cement the win. The first batter hit a grounder to Wada, who threw to Julian to put him out.
The next batter flew out to Brooks in right field, then Wada ended the outing by sending the third batter down swinging.
In his three at-bat’s, Brooks singled twice and reached on a fielder’s choice once to lead Waiakea at the plate.
Wada pitched the whole game, surrendering four hits and three walks while striking out six.
The loser of Game Three of the BIIF DI Championship series will still have a shot at joining the HHSAA State playoffs, hosting the No.6 team from the Oahu Interscholastic League playoffs for a State Play-in on Saturday.