For the first time in more than a decade, the Waiakea Warriors have reached the semifinals of the Wally Yonamine Foundation/HHSAA State Baseball Championships in back-to-back years.
Fresh off a runner-up finish to Maui last year, the undefeated Warriors (16-0) were the first to punch their ticket to the semifinals with a 6-2 win over Campbell on Wednesday in the first of four games at Les Murakami Stadium.
Waiakea started five returnees from last year’s squad and added an impressive sophomore in Kalai Rosario, who finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs as Waiakea scored the most runs Campbell (14-3) has given up in a game this season.
The Warriors hadn’t advanced to the semifinals in back-to-back years since making it four straight times from 2003 to ’06.
“We knew Campbell is a great team with a great pitcher and for us it was just get on base, put on pressure and you hope for the hits when you need them,” Waiakea coach Rory Inouye said. “Today we were lucky and we got those hits.”
Waiakea senior left-hander David Nakamura, who threw a seven-hit shutout in a win over Kamehameha in the semifinals last year, allowed one earned run in 61⁄3 innings with four strikeouts to pick up the win. Devin Midel earned the two-out save.
WAIAKEA 6, CAMPBELL 2
At Les Murakami Stadium
Campbell (14-3) 001 010 0 — 2 4 0
Waiakea (16-0) 102 003 x — 6 9 3
Jamin Kalaola, Tyrus Stephens (4), Darien Robinson (6), Zachary Palipti (6), Logan Caravalho (6) and Dylan Ramon. David Nakamura, Devin Midel (7) and Jacob Igawa. W—Nakamura. L—Kalaola. S—Midel.
Leading hitters—Camp: Shayden Sabangan 2 runs; Charles Monell 2-2, bb. Waik: Casey Yamauchi 2-4, 2 runs; Nakamura 2b, 2 RBIs; Kalai Rosario 2-4, 3b, 3 RBIs; Safea Mauai 2-3, 2b, RBI.
