Kamehameha found more than enough offense to overpower Hawaii Prep, which didn’t have enough effective second-day pitching, a stark contrast between the two teams.
The Warriors thumped Ka Makani 17-2 to sweep the BIIF Division II championship series on Saturday at Wong Stadium, earning their sixth straight league title.
As the HHSAA defending champion, Kamehameha (16-2) is a strong bet to earn the No. 1 seed to the state tournament when the seedings are released next Sunday. The state tournament will be held April 27-29 on Oahu.
HPA (9-10) missed the contributions of catcher Braden Kojima, who was at a soccer showcase. The Warriors stole four bases without being caught, and Ka Makani pitchers had five wild pitches, including two that scored runs.
Kamehameha pounded a dozen hits and capitalized on free passes (six walks and five hit batters) and errors. Seven of those free passes came around to score. Four errors led to three unearned runs.
“We hit the ball better today,” Kamehameha coach Andy Correa said. “We scored six runs in the first. That was good to see.”
HPA started its No. 3 pitcher Sheldon Aribal, who faced eight batters, recorded one out and allowed six runs in the first inning and took the loss.
Finn Richmond, who’s also the shortstop, pitched 3 2/3 innings and surrendered seven runs (two unearned), and Michael Hughes went one inning and gave up four runs (one unearned).
Meanwhile, Kamehameha starter Justyce Ishii threw three innings of two-run ball. Both runs were unearned when an outfielder slipped on a single and two runners scored. He allowed four hits and struck out two.
Zakaia Michaels pitched two scoreless innings, gave up four hits and whiffed one. The two pitchers surrendered zero free passes, and both threw strikes and hit their spots.
“Justyce did a good job. The second time through the order he was throwing so many strikes they were swinging at everything,” Correa said. “We were able to manage the game after we got the lead.”
In the first, the first three Warriors reached base. Then cleanup hitter Bula Ahuna had an RBI single, and the hits kept coming — four in the inning before Richmond came in to face the No. 9 batter Bryce Furuli, who flied out.
One key to Kamehameha’s offense was No. 8 hitter, Kekona Naipo-Arsiga, who batted 3 for 3 with an RBI and kept turning over the lineup.
Kyran Kai had two RBIs, Kegan Miura went 3 for 3 with two RBIs, and Ahuna was 2 for 3 with an RBI.
Jonah Hurney batted 2 for 3 to lead HPA.
There was a lot of young pitching on display. In fact, all of the league’s top three teams, Kamehameha, HPA, and Konawaena, return their best arms for next season.
Warrior ace Tai Atkins is only a sophomore, Kai and Ishii are juniors while Michaels is only a freshman.
Ka Makani ace Hurney is a junior and so is Richmond. Aribal is just a sophomore and Hughes, a 6-foot-1 left-hander with quick arm-action, is just a freshman.
“We’re really young with our pitching, and the top three teams’ pitching all come back. It’ll be interesting to see who develops,” Correa said.
Correa pointed out that the BIIF championships also serve another purpose.
“It’s a showcase for the kids. It’s a reflection of their hard work,” he said. “Our weekday games start at 3 p.m. and not all of the parents can come. The kids get to play in front of their families in this stadium.”
For Naipo-Arsiga, there was no better feeling than winning the BIIF championship in front of his family.
“It’s a great feeling to have my family here to support me,” he said. “I just tried to do whatever I could to help the team. It was a good team effort. Our coaches push us hard and remind us what our main goal is — to win the state championship.”
Kamehameha 620 54 — 17 12 3
HPA 002 00 — 2 7 4