Well, after going 2-for-4 in my HHSAA Division I baseball quarterfinal picks a year ago, I figured I might as well give it another go in 2014. Heck, maybe even make it an annual tradition.

Let's just get right to it shall we?

#1 MID-PACIFIC (15-3-1) vs. MILILANI (10-6)

The last game of the second day of play at Les will feature two pretty smiliar teams, at least in terms of style of play. Both clubs play stellar defense (Mililani has 19 errors on the year, and Mid-Pacific just 20) but the Owls seem to have a leg up in terms of overall offensive output (+60 run differential to just +4 for the Trojans) and also have the luxury of throwing their 'ace' Chase Wago (7-0, 2.63 ERA) as well.

Perhaps Trojans will find some motivation in facing a team they lost to in the title game a year ago. One thing is for sure, in order for Mililani to have a chance at a win, they will need find more offense than they have been.

Predicition: The combination of Wago's arm and the bats of Shackles, Bottom, Nagata and company will prevail over never-say-die Trojans. MID-PACIFIC 7 - MILILANI 2

#4 BALDWIN (14-1) vs. KAILUA (12-4)

The Bears had their way in the MIL this season, sweeping through the regular season before holding off a scrappy Maui team to win the league title. Their opponent, youthful Kailua, likely grew by leaps and bounds after a heart-stopping walk-off win over Aiea to advance to the quarters.

Baldwin had no trouble swinging the bats in league play, and a senior laden squad that has played many a game at Les over the course of their careers won't be fazed by its surroundings or the tournament atmosphere in general. The Bears will go with their number one, Noah Apolo, who has been solid all year.

Kailua has the luxury of putting their 'ace' Joey Cantillo on the mound (assuming Royce Komesu was a scratch vs Aiea for health reasons) in its second straight 9:00 a.m. game, and the confidence gained off of a come-from-behind win against Na Alii is a big plus.

Prediction: Baldwin will be tested by the Surfriders, but I think the Bears' veteran players will produce in the clutch. Plus, it really is pretty hard to win back-to-back close ones. BALDWIN 6 - KAILUA 4

#2 CAMPBELL (14-1) vs. KAISER (12-5)

Second-seed Campbell will have their hands full with Kaiser, a team that took the Sabers to the limit in the OIA playoffs in a nine-inning nailbiter that ended in a 3-2 win for the OIA champs. In fact, these two squads have met no less than 4 times in postseason play over the span of the last three years alone.

That being said, the Cougars can't rely on familiarity alone to level the playing field, as they will be at a disadvantage from the get-go, at least at the pitcher position. Kaiser turned to their 'one' in Noah Sakatani against Maui, and will need to get a stellar outing from likely starter Kamalu Simeona, who incidentally took the mound and went 8 strong innings in that aforementioned loss.

Probable starter for Campbell? My gut says Ian Kahaloa, who put in 9 innings of work against Kaiser in the quarters, registering 16 strikeouts to earn the win.

Kaiser picked up right where they left off offensively despite the layoff between OIA and state tournament play, plating eight runs in a relative easy win over Maui, but Campbell's lineup has more than enough pop to keep up.

Prediction: Every tourney has to have at least one upset, and this one is mine. The Cougars haven't risen to the 7th spot in our Power Rankings by accident, and the Sabers know they are in for a battle. KAISER 8 - CAMPBELL 7

#3 WAIAKEA (13-1) vs. SAINT LOUIS (15-6)

The game of the tournament, at least in the quarters, is the matchup pitting who many consider to be the two marquee pitchers in the state. The Crusaders will put Arizona commit Jordan Yamamoto on the mound opposite Warriors' ace and Pepperdine signee Kodi Medeiros, in what will no doubt be a scouts' dream.

While ILH devotees aren't extremely surprised by the 13-run, 15-hit show put on by Saint Louis in the first round, tournament teams and fans need to take notice. Saint Louis hitting even on most of its cylinders is extremely dangerous, and a breaking out of sorts by Devan Stubblefield, who looked to be a markedly different player from the one who had gone 2-for-14 in five previous games, could spell a world of trouble for not only Waiakea, but anyone else having to face the Crusaders.

Don't expect a carbon copy of Saint Louis' offensive output against Kodi, but its pretty safe to say that Waiakea hitters have not seen the likes of Yamamoto on the mound in BIIF play either.

Prediction: A pitcher's duel seems like the logical call, and yeah, I expect both hurlers to put on a show. In the end, the projected first-round draft pick gets just enough run support to eke out a win over the Crusaders. WAIAKEA 2 - SAINT LOUIS 1

So those are my picks, and I'm sticking to them. Whether right or wrong, I'd like to think that at least I have the fortitude to put them out there. Hopefully I won't get too much grief from a certain someone I'm sure will be in attendance at each of these games (whose opinion I value very much) on the picks that don't pan out.