Baseball Island Championships Secured: Daggers and Warriors Claim Titles in BIIF Playoffs
Revised Article:
Fire up the soothing tunes of home plate, ‘cause the Central Pacific Bank/Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I and II Baseball Championships went down at Wong Stadium, setting the stage for next week's HHSAA championships on Oahu. Keep your eyes peeled for the paper's updates and coverage on the state tourney!
First off, Pahoa took the DII crown in a 6-1 thrashing of Honoka'åina, finishing the regular season with a sizzling 11-3 record. Though both teams combined for just five hits, Pahoa managed to cruise in this one. Tripp Kahsen and Jayden Majamay-Orita from Pahoa each bagged two hits, while Brayden Conda headed the team with a game-high two RBI. Kahsen, the Daggers' leader in hits, runs, and doubles, also pitched a gem, allowing just three hits and one run while K-ing 11 across 104 pitches (6.0 innings). Conda, who added two strikeouts in the final inning, matched him with a stellar performance on the mound. Kahsen dominates as Pahoa's ace, leading the team in innings pitched, wins, and Ks with a 2.19 ERA. With three straight wins and seven of their last eight, Pahoa wrapped up the regular season on a high note, out-scoring opponents 103-39. The undefeated Daggers will duel with the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) DII champ, Seabury Hall, at 11 a.m. this Friday at Pearl City High School for a spot in the DII state tournament.
Meanwhile, Honoka'åina was guided by Josyah Napoleon-Umeda, Isaac Derego, and Chrys Coelho, each nailing one hit. Derego, Honoka'åina's beast at the plate with the most hits, runs, RBI, and homers in 2025, led the team. Napoleon-Umeda, their ace on the mound, allowed one hit and four runs while K-ing nine batters across 112 pitches (5.6 innings). The Dragons ended their season with a shiny 12-3 record and a remarkable 95-36 run differential.
Now, let's head over to the Division I title game, where Waiakea scored a stylish 5-3 victory over Kamehameha-Hawaii. In less-than-ideal weather, Waiakea finally got revenge after losing to KSH earlier in the season. With the win, Waiakea improved to a strong 7-3-1 record, grabbing the BIIF's high seed in next week's HHSAA tournament. KSH, still competing for the state title despite losing the BIIF crown, fell to 11-1-1 for their first loss of 2025.
Waiakea started the game strong, with Boston Kobayashi blasting a double to left field and teammate Clemson Julian singling to right, giving them a 2-0 lead. KSH responded in the third with a run, but Waiakea reclaimed the lead with three runs in the seventh and never looked back. The deciding moment came when Tycen Baruela secured a sacrifice fly, Jerrell Alston got HBP, and KSH committed an error.
Julian and Ivor Brooks led the way for Waiakea with two hits each, while teammates Kobayashi, Jesse Inouye, and Teyson Tamiya added one hit apiece. Brooks, who leads the team in hits and runs, and Clemson, reigning supreme in RBI, paced Waiakea offensively.
Logan Doran was crowned the game's winning pitcher, allowing just three hits and three runs while striking out seven across 5.0 innings. Doran, who leads all Waiakea pitchers in innings pitched, wins, and Ks with a 1.04 ERA, delivered another dominating performance. Hurley Soong, heading the bullpen with the most saves, clinched the final two innings, allowing no hits or runs while striking out two.
Waiakea caught fire in the BIIF season with a fierce 69-26 run differential and a formidable chance at the 2025 state title. KSH struggled to produce offense, tallying their second-lowest scoring output of the season. Pacheco, Justin Kubojiri, and Noah Palea each notched one hit, with Kubojiri leading KSH in hits and runs, and Pacheco ruling the roost in RBI and doubles. Palea contributed on the mound for 5.0 innings, allowing three hits and two runs while striking out two. Shiloh Santos also pitched well, surrendering four hits and two runs.
- The Central Pacific Bank/Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I and II Baseball Championships saw Pahoa, the DII champions, secure a spot in the upcoming HHSAA championships on Oahu.
- In the Division II title game, Tripp Kahsen, the Daggers' ace, delivered a splendid pitching performance with 11 strikeouts, helping Pahoa clinch the DII crown against Honoka'åina.
- During the Division I championship game, despite less-than-ideal weather conditions, Waiakea emerged victorious over Kamehameha-Hawaii, with Logan Doran leading the team with seven strikeouts and a win.
- In the interscholastic sports scene, the Maui Interscholastic League DII champion, Seabury Hall, is set to face the undefeated Pahoa in the Division II state tournament this Friday at Pearl City High School.
