Maryknoll's Justin Ushio connects with a pitch against Radford. Joshua Lopez | Special to SL

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Radford's Dylan Cox scrambles to get back to first base on a pick-off attempt by Maryknoll. Joshua Lopez | Special to SL

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Maryknoll's Joshua Muneno throws a pitch to the plate against Radford. Joshua Lopez | Special to SL

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WAIPAHU – The defending Division II state champion flipped on a switch late to make it a lopsided affair at Hans L’Orange Park Wednesday evening.

Maryknoll, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II champion, ripped off 11 runs in the sixth inning to propel itself past Radford in the quarterfinal round of the Wally Yonamine Foundation/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II Baseball Championships.

“I don’t know, I couldn’t tell you,” Maryknoll coach Randy Yamashiro said on his team’s big inning.  “All I can say is we made adjustments and we put the head on the ball. We squared it up and let the ball live wherever it (was).”

Maryknoll advances to face the winner between Kauai and Molokai, champions of their respective leagues. That contest is slated for 1:00 p.m. the next day at Les Murakami Stadium.

The Spartans, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II champion, extended their win streak to five to improve to 16-3 on the year. This is the third year in a row that Maryknoll will be in the semifinal round.

“The whole year we had to play like a champion,” said Yamashiro. “We weren’t the hunters anymore, we were the hunted, so we had to play up to that level. Some of these kids, they’re not used to playing like that so we’re trying to stress to the kids, especially in this tournament, to play at the level that we can.”

Yamashiro’s message was definitely felt all the way around with nine different runners coming into score. Right fielder Brent Hironaga led the offensive effort with a 3-for-4 effort, driving in four and scoring three times. 

Leading the Spartans on the mound was Joshua Muneno who picked up his eight win of the season to remain unbeaten. Muneno struck out five batters and walked three in the victory. 

“He’s been solid all year long, from pitching to playing the field to batting; he’s an all-around guy. I cannot say any more compliments about him,” Yamashiro said on Muneno. 

“I’m just so proud of him. I’m glad we got the victory and we can move on. It’s one down, but we know from last year, we got two more to go. We only have to focus on the one tomorrow (first).”

Leading the Rams in the loss was catcher Dominic Albalos with a 2-for-3 performance.

Seariders blanks Hawaii Prep in opening round

Waianae, the Oahu Interscholastic Association White Division Champion, kicked off the Division II state tournament with a 7-0 win over Hawaii Prep Wednesday morning. 

Jerzey Ramento-Acosta (5-1) picked up the win in six innings of work, throwing six strikeouts against four walks. Tavita Lalau did the heavy work on offense, going 3-for-4 to plate four runs.

A bright spot for Ka Makani, the Big Island Interscholastic Federation runner-up, was Cyrus Inglis with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate.

Kamehameha-Hawaii too much for Nanakuli, 28-5

BIIF Division II Champion Kamehameha-Hawaii flashed its guns with a 28-5 beat down of Nanakuli in the second game of the Division II state tournament. The Warriors opened up the game with four runs, before ceding five runs to Nanakuli in the bottom of the first.

Kamehameha-Hawaii would go on to score 14 runs in the next inning to put the game way out of reach of the Golden Hawks.  The Warriors scored 10 more unanswered for the final point total.