LIHU‘E — The Waimea Menehune came from behind to claim the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association Division II baseball championship, topping Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i, 11-10, in a game they once trailed by nine runs. The Menehune saw KS-Hawai‘i score five runs
LIHU‘E — The Waimea Menehune came from behind to claim the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association Division II baseball championship, topping Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i, 11-10, in a game they once trailed by nine runs.
The Menehune saw KS-Hawai‘i score five runs in the second inning, then four more in the third to build a 9-0 lead, seemingly on the verge of ending the game via the 10-run rule.
But Waimea put those thoughts to rest by piling on eight runs in the top of the fourth to get right back in the game, then used the momentum to propel itself to the state crown with what proved to be the championship-winning run in the top of the sixth.
Kalani Fernandez had the game-winning single, bringing home Mikeo Rita to take the 11-10 lead. Fernandez finished 2 for 5 with three RBIs and a run.
Fernandez also got the victory on the mound, coming into the game in the third inning and finishing with 4.1 innings pitched, giving up just one run on two hits and striking out four.
After the game, he was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
Third baseman Micah Rita went 2 for 4 with four RBIs, a run scored and a walk for Waimea.
Right fielder Paul Correa was 2 for 5 with two runs and an RBI. Outfielder Chyson Soares was 2 for 4 with two RBIs and a run.
First baseman Gavin Jardin was 2 for 3 with a run, while catcher Dylan Ishihara was 1 for 2 with two walks and a run.
Mikeo Rita, Mana Perreira-Alquiza, Kendall Kaohi and Cliffton Callejo also all scored one run apiece.
Perreira-Alquiza, Jardin, Micah Rita and Shylen-John Keuma were all named to the All-Tournament Team following the win.
The Menehune pounded out 14 hits as a team in the title game.
Trailing 9-0, the Menehune used a steady attack to get back in the game in that all-important fourth inning.
Soares got the team on the board with an RBI single. Fernandez followed that up with a two-run single. Two batters later, Correa made it a 9-4 game with an RBI single to center field.
Micah Rita kept the rally going with a triple to deep center field, scoring two more Menehune runners. Kahai Hosaka came through with a pinch-hit single to score Micah Rita.
Soares got the Menehune back within one run with his second RBI single of the inning, plating Callejo to bring Waimea all the way back to within 9-8.
The Menehune grabbed the lead in the top of the fifth when Micah Rita singled to center field, bringing home Correa and Jardin.
With the score tied, Fernandez found himself at bat in the sixth with two outs and Mikeo Rita on third. He smacked the 1-1 pitch to center to give Waimea the final cushion it would need.
The KIF champion Menehune secured their place in the championship with two big wins, first knocking off Waipahu, 12-5, in the opening round, then besting St. Anthony, 9-2, in the semifinals.
In Division I action, Punahou came away with a 13-2 championship win over Baldwin in five innings. Punahou took care of business early, scoring 10 runs in the first inning and never allowing Baldwin back in the game.
Mid-Pacific was third place with an 8-5 win over St. Louis in five innings of action.
Kailua finished in fifth place, topping Pearl City 8-2 in six innings, while Moanalua and Mililani played to a 7-7 tie in the consolation final.
In earlier Division II games, Hawai‘i Prep knocked off St. Anthony 12-3 in six innings for third place.
Maryknoll blew out Konawaena 11-1 in five innings for fifth place.
