Top Athletes Palea, Umeda, Davi, and Brown Headline BIIF Baseball and Softball Teams
The Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) recently released its annual All-BIIF softball and baseball teams for the spring 2025 season, showcasing the exceptional talent and achievements of players across the island.
In the world of softball, Kealohi Ili, a sophomore shortstop for KSH, led her team in several categories. With 23 hits, 23 runs, 23 RBI, four triples, and five home runs, Ili demonstrated a remarkable all-round performance. Ariana Kobayshi, senior second baseman for Pahoa, also stood out, leading her team in runs with 19.
The Kohala team, under the guidance of senior pitcher Kalia Marquez and manager Makamae Kaleikini, had a strong season. Marquez led Kohala in innings pitched (64.3), wins (nine), and strikeouts (55). Freshman outfielder Raine Cazimero and senior first baseman Faith Alejandro-Cazimero also made the All-BIIF team.
Honoka'a's junior catcher Kana'i Tolentino was the team's top slugger, leading in hits (19), RBI (17), doubles (five), and triples (four). Senior outfielder Brandi Hoopai hit .412 in her final season.
The baseball scene was equally impressive. Twelve players were named to Division I's All-BIIF baseball team, with Kamehameha-Hawaii senior pitcher Noah Palea winning the Division I Player of the Year. Palea had a 3-1 record on the mound with a 1.15 ERA and 25 strikeouts, pitching two complete games and giving up just five earned runs across the season.
Honoraable mentions for DI Baseball include Hilo's Cole Hatayama, Axel Akau, and Brennan Woods, among others. For Division II Baseball, Honoraable mentions include Pahoa's Tripp Kahsen, Brayden Conda-Tolle, Lando Haili, and Cash Cohen, among others.
Josyah Umeda, Honoka'a junior pitcher and first baseman, won DII Player of the Year in baseball. Umeda finished the season with a 4-2 record, a 1.10 ERA, and 95 strikeouts, pitching a full game three times and striking out 10-or-more batters thrice.
In the decisive BIIF DII championship game, sophomore pitcher Brown led KSH, pitching all 7.0 innings and striking out six against the Cowgirls. Senior shortstop Maya Domingo-Bautista of KSH was also selected for the All-BIIF team after hitting .310 for the season.
For more detailed player statistics and achievements, it is recommended to consult ScoringLive’s website directly, particularly their sections for Hawaii high school sports, baseball, and softball, where they annually publish All-Hawaii and division-level honors with player stats. Alternatively, checking the official BIIF or Big Island high school athletics websites or contacting their athletic departments may also provide valuable information. Local news sports coverage from spring and summer 2025 in Hawaii newspapers or online portals focused on high school sports could also offer insights into the outstanding performances of these talented athletes.
In the spring 2025 season, baseball also thrived in the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF), with Kamehameha-Hawaii senior pitcher Noah Palea earning Division I's Player of the Year. Meanwhile, Honoka'a junior pitcher and first baseman Josyah Umeda clinched the DII Player of the Year award.
Despite the focus on softball, the KSH baseball team also made waves, with sophomore pitcher Brown's impressive performance in the decisive DII championship game, where he struck out six against the Cowgirls.
