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Baseball semis prognostication + end of the o-fer streak?


Yes, I went 0-for-4 on my picks in the quarterfinals of the Division I baseball tourney.

But despite the goose egg, there were more than a few positives from my analysis (or lack thereof). A few quick bullet points before I get to my semifinal picks.

> The continued production from Devan Stubblefield (1-for-3, RBI) was a big factor in the win. His key infleld single proved to be the difference, at least from the run scoring perspective.

> Run production was to me the biggest hurdle for the Trojans, who put up less than 30 runs in the entire regular season. And while 5 runs does not an offensive juggernaut make, it proved to be just enough.

> Youthful Kailua turned to the steadying presence of Royce Komesu against Maui, and the senior delivered, quieting the Bears' bats in a four-hit shutout.

> Campbell made great adjustments the second time around against Kaiser at the plate, giving more than enough offense to support Ian Kahaloa and company on the mound.

And now on to the semifinal selections, along with some explanation:

KAILUA (13-4) vs. MILILANI (11-6)

The 4:00 p.m. semifinal is the second straight rematch in as many days for the Trojans, who were knocked out of the OIA title contention by the Surfriders in the quarters, 4-3.

Probable starter looks to be Joey Cantillo for Kaliua, but Mililani is a little bit more of a question mark. Perhaps Trevor Inouye will take the hill, as he did in a 2-1 win over Aiea on May 1.

For Mililani it really comes to down to run production, which has been maybe the biggest 'issue' for the Trojans all year.

Kailua has shown it can swing the bat with the best of them, but hasn't scored more the 5 runs since May 1, in a 14-4 win over Waipahu.

Prediction: Mililani seems to have that postseason magic going again this year, and look primed to reach the title game again. It will be a close one again, though. MILILANI 4 - KAILUA 3

SAINT LOUIS (16-6) vs. CAMPBELL (15-1)

The late semifinal pits two of the top three teams in the ScoringLive/OC16 Power Rankings, as the third-ranked Cruasders face off against the top-ranked Sabers.

Pitching doesn't appear to be an issue for either squad, though Campbell does have somewhat of an edge with one less tournament game under their belt.

Dorrien Villanueva-Hermosura (4-0, 1.31) appears to be the probable starter for the Sabers and he could go opposite of Pono Anderson, who allowed just four hits in five innings of work in the Crusaders' opener against Roosevelt.

Campbell has scored exactly 9 runs in each of its last three games, while Saint Louis has scored 15 runs in its last two.

Prediction: Saint Louis might end up being the best possible counter to Campbell in terms of both offensive firepower and pitching, but Sabers have superior depth at pitcher and play stellar defense. CAMPBELL 6 - SAINT LOUIS 2



Reach Brien Ing at [email protected].




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