Damien will get a second crack at a first state baseball title.

A year after their first state tournament appearance ended with a loss to Kauai in the championship game, the Monarchs secured a return trip to the Division II state final with an 8-3 victory over Farrington in the semifinals of the Wally Yonamine Foundation/HHSAA State Baseball Championships at Les Murakami Stadium on Thursday.

Kaysen Kajiwara threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings of relief to pick up the win and Kamakani Motas’ two-run triple helped Damien (14-7) win its seventh consecutive game overall and fourth straight elimination game.

“I think it’s been exciting. These guys are able to show that their perseverance and hard work is paying off,” Damien coach Timo Donahue said.

Starter Milton Gainey rolled through his first three innings and had a 6-0 lead when he ran into trouble in the fourth. Three hits and a walk forced Donahue to go to his bullpen, and when Braeden Joines was ineffective, Donahue had to call on Kajiwara, a returning junior, to get out of a jam.

Kajiwara got out of the bases-loaded situation with one pitch and ended up recording eight outs, allowing only one hit.

He did it all in 30 pitches and will be available to pitch in the final.

“He came in and did his job, which is basically throwing strikes,” Donahue said. “That was the plan all along. (35 pitches) was our limit anyway regardless, and for him to get outs in the process, that made it easier for the next guy.”

Kaimana Cameron recorded the final two outs, with a three-pitch strikeout ending it.

Damien finished with eight runs on 10 hits. Paul Mezurashi went 2-for-4 with a run scored and two RBIs and Akila Arecchi stole two bases and scored twice out of the leadoff spot.

Reese Shioji had two hits and scored a run and Jayden Soriano went 2-for-2 with an RBI for the Governors (12-5).