KS-Hawaii ousts Waianae, 12-2, returns to D2 title game

Kamehameha-Hawaii's Daylan Calicdan attempts to make a backhanded grab of a grounder against Waianae. Greg Yamamoto | SL

Kamehameha-Hawaii powered its way to a second straight mercy-rule shortened win, this one a 12-2 rout in five innings over Waianae, to advance to the Division II title game of the Wally Yonamine Foundation/HHSAA Baseball Championships for the second straight year.

"They are playing well right now, and we're just trying to get good pitches to hit and they are being patient (at the plate) and they hitting when they get the chance to hit," said KS-Hawaii head coach Andrew Correa of his team. "You can't ask for much more."

After spotting the Seariders a 2-0 lead in the first inning, the Warriors got the offensive machine rolling once again, churning out six runs on three hits, highlighted by a 2-run double by Makoa Rosario to put the BIIF champions up by four.

The electricity went out in and around Les Murakami Stadium during a forty-or-so minute period during the second and third innings of the contest, shutting down the scoreboard temporarily, but play continued on, as did the runs for the Warriors, who added five more to the tally in the last of third, capped off by a Daylen Calicdan single to center that extended the lead to 11-2.

"Throughout the lineup we had good at-bats," said Correa. "One through nine its important that guys put down the bunts and run the bases well."

With the exception of a two-run first inning, Waianae could never get on track against KS-Hawaii starter Kobi Candaroma, who went the distance, allowing no runs on just 2 hits in his final four innings of work. He struck out three and walked three to earn the victory, and added a 1-for-3 performance with the bat, driving in three.

"First inning, nothing, nothing at all," said Candaroma when asked what was working for him today. "Then I got used to it, got used to mound, started to just relax and kept pounding that strike zone."

"He (Candaroma) threw a good game, he mixed his pitches real well and his secondary pitches, his curveball and his changeup were working," remarked Correa. "We know how good they (Waianae) are and we have a lot of respect for them. Its a good team that we beat today."

The Warriors amassed 8 hits and five walks in the game, which included three for extra bases. Calicdan led the way with a 2-for-3 day at the plate, including a double, 4 RBIs and a run scored. Leadoff batter Chay Toson added 2 singles, 2 runs, one RBI, and a stolen base for good measure.

The Warriors will face the winner of the Maryknoll-Kauai matchup in the 1:00 p.m. semifinal in the championship game, set for 4:00 p.m. back at Les Murakami Stadium.

"I feel good, its all about team effort," said Candaroma about the win. "Our motto (this year) is one team, one dream so its not my job its everyone's job. Bench players, everyone."