Kamehameha hammered Hilo 15-7 to claim the championship at the 21st annual Stanley Costales Sr. Memorial/Hilo High preseason tournament Saturday night at Wong Stadium.
Daylen Calicdan went 3 for 4 with two RBIs to lead the Warriors, who took a 9-4 lead after two innings. Matt Chun went 2 for 4 with an RBI.
Kelii Montibon went two innings for the win. Jordan Hirae threw 2 1/3 scoreless innings and earned the tournament’s MVP award.
Hilo freshman Toa Barclay recorded one out and got tagged with the loss, even though he exited before the Warriors exploded for six runs in the second inning.
The only innings of convenience were the third, fourth and fifth. In every other frame, runs were scored in the three-hour-plus game.
Chay Toson, who went 2 for 3, was the batting champion with a .857 clip (6 for 7). The senior center fielder made a fine defensive play with an over-the-shoulder catch in the fifth inning.
Hilo shortstop Micah Kaaukai had his defensive web gem in the top of the fifth. He ranged far to his right, set his back foot and rifled a long throw to first to nail the swift Kobi Candaroma by a half-step.
Kaaukai and sophomore catcher Joshua Breitbarth each batted 2 for 3 to lead the Vikings, who had a chance to cut into Kamehameha’s cushion in the fourth with the bases loaded and two out.
Hirae came on in relief, threw a wild pitch that got Hilo within 13-7, then recorded a strikeout to end the Vikings’ three-run rally. Hilo did not score again. Candaroma closed out the seventh.
Both teams played without their star players. Kamehameha senior catcher Makoa Rosario and Hilo outfielder Jodd Carter each traveled to Oahu for a showcase.