Waipahu blanks Konawaena to reach D2 semis

Dylan Sugimoto pitched six shutout innings with 12 strikeouts, getting out of bases-loaded jams three times as the Marauders beat the Wildcats, 6-0, in a quarterfinal matchup of the Wally Yonamine Foundation Baseball Division II State Championships..

In the second, Sugimoto, a sophomore left-hander, loaded the bases with two outs, but got a called third strike to end it.

Then in the fourth, Sugimoto hit a batter and allowed two singles, but came back to strike out Konawaena's Nos. 7, 8 and 9 hitters. He also struck out the side in the first.

Finally in the fifth, the Wildcats loaded the bases with two outs, but Sugimoto got a swinging third strike to end the threat.

Sugimoto allowed four hits, walked three and hit three batters. Micah Luke pitched the final inning.

Waipahu's Drake Yoshioka, Sugimoto and Jarinn Afaga-Abreu each drove in two runs. Sugimoto also scored twice for the Marauders, who drew 12 walks in the contest.

Waipahu plays Maryknoll in the semifinals Thursday at 1 p.m. at Les Murakami Stadium.

Konawaena plays Seabury Hall in a consolation game Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at Hans L'Orange Park.