Campbell Baseball Team Prepares To Claim Victory At States
The Campbell baseball team found itself only a couple plays away from an appearance in last year’s Division I state tournament title game, as it was edged 2-1 by eventual champion Mid-Pac.
With that in mind, Campbell is looking to finish some unfinished business at this week’s tourney.
With only one loss to date, the team anticipated a first-round bye and a high seed when the pairings were to be announced Sunday night.
This year’s DI state tournament runs Tuesday through Friday at Les Murakami Stadium at UH Manoa. (Consolation games will be played at Hans L’Orange Park in Waipahu.)
Tournament previews for Aiea and Campbell are below.
Aiea High School
Record: 6-10 overall (4-8 in OIA Red West, 2-2 in OIA tourney)
Key wins: Over Mililani 6-1 March 19, over Waipahu 9-2 April 5, over Moanalua 6-2 April 30, over Waipahu 3-2 May 2
Na Ali’i at a glance: Wins over Moanalua and Waipahu at the OIA tournament helped Aiea earn one of the league’s six berths at states. Now they will look to capitalize on that momentum and make a run this week.
Aiea is certainly battle-tested, as six of its 16 games were decided by two runs or less.
Aiea’s greater chore will be to generate more offense, as it has tallied more than two runs just twice in their last seven games.
After beginning the season at 0-4, it rebounded nicely, going 6-6 since.
Chazdyn Quebral-Acosta (.350), Liwai Manoa (.370) and Hunter Yara (.340) are among the offensive leaders.
This week marks Aiea’s first appearance in the state tournament since 2008.
Campbell High School
Record: 14-1 overall (11-1 in OIA Red West, 3-0 in OIA tourney)
Key wins: Over Mililani 2-0 March 26, over Waipahu 5-2 April 11, over Kaiser 3-2 May 1, over Roosevelt 9-3 May 2, over Kailua 9-3 May 3
Sabers at a glance: The Sabers enter this week’s tournament among the favorites to win it all after an impressive showing at the recent OIA tourney that included wins over Kaiser, Roosevelt and Kailua in the title game.
Except for an upset loss to Leilehua in their season finale, the Sabers have been nearly flawless this spring, answering every challenge en route to a second straight OIA title.
They have given up just 25 runs on the year, already have five shutouts to their credit and yielded but a single run in three other victories.
While Campbell has produced its share of blow-outs, it also has been stellar in the few close games they did play, posting a 3-0 mark in games decided by one run.
Dominant pitching has paved the way, led by starters Dorrien Villa-nueva-Hermosura (four wins and a save), Ian Kahaloa (5-0 record; ERA of .82) and Zachary Kapihe (four wins and a save).
Email Jack Danilewicz at jackster.1969@yahoo.com
