As a batting average, my .167 (1-for-6) clip thus far picking tourney winners is nothing to write home about, but hey, it is what it is. Finishing the tournament just under .400 would make me feel a little better about myself, but either way, its a fun exercise even when the picks don't go as you envisioned.

Here are my title game observations and picks...

KAMEHAMEHA-HAWAII (14-1-1) vs. MARYKNOLL (17-3)

The first game of the afternoon at Les is a rematch of the 2013 Division II title game between the Spartans and the Warriors set for 4:00 p.m.

Chase Uyema threw a four-hit shutout a year ago for Maryknoll in the title against Kamehameha-Hawaii, but the senior got the start against Kauai this year in the semis. Instead, expect the Spartans to turn to Joshua Muneno, who pitched in the tourney opener against Radford on Wednesday, to handle starting duties in the title game. The junior has been a mainstay on the mound for the Spartans in 2014, with a 1.18 ERA and a sparkling 8-0 record with 2 saves.

Kamehameha-Hawaii is expected to counter with Chay Toson, who has been a fixture on the hill for Warriors all season-long. The senior played in the outfield in the semifinals against Waianae, and contributed offensively with a 2-for-4 day at the dish, with 2 runs scored and an RBI.

Runs have come in bunches for both squads thus far in the D2 tournament, with a combined 66 runs scored, so it is clear that neither has trouble swinging the bat.

The parity betwen the two teams extend to their play on the diamond defensively, with just 2 errors committed in state tourney play by each as well.

Prediction: I've been impressed with the all-around play of Kamehameha-Hawaii during their tourney run, and I'm sure the Warriors will have payback in mind playing a team that posted a mercy-rule win in the title game last year. That being said, Maryknoll has been equally as impressive, is perhaps a bit more experienced (seven returning starters from the 2013 meeting and 11 seniors), and will certainly benefit from a large contingent of fans heading over from just down the road. Don't expect a shortened game this time around, however. MARYKNOLL 8 - KAMEHAMEHA-HAWAII 3

MILILANI (12-6) vs. SAINT LOUIS (17-6)

The Division I final pits Saint Louis, a team that has been near the top of our Power Rankings all year, and Mililani, club that has hovered just outside the ten before sneaking in just in time for the tourney.

All year, Saint Louis has shown it had all the tools in the arsenal to be in the title game, and clearly head coach George Gusman has his team playing its best ball at just the right time.

A big reason why Saint Louis is playing for its first title since 2008 is due in large part to an impressive outing by senior Peyton Oshiro against Campbell. Oshiro went 6 innings (a season high), allowed just one run on two hits to a potent Sabers lineup and struck out a season-high 5 for good measure.

While it makes perfect sense to pencil in Jordan Yamamoto, an Arizona commit who dazzled in a 2-1 win over Waiakea, as the probable starter, it wouldn't be inconceivable to see freshman Dawson Yamaguchi get the nod.

Getting even 3 innings out of Yamaguchi, who looked sharp in two wins early in the year against Pac-Five and Punahou (9 IP, 2 ER, 10 hits, 2 K), would give the Crusaders the luxury of a stopper in the key innings down the stretch.

I'll make a quick mention of Stubblefield (1-for-3), who extended his hit streak to three games, as a factor once again in the semis, but against Campbell it was clearly Jordan Mopas who stole the show. The senior first baseman has been a rock all year for the Crusaders not only offensively (he's hit safely in 16 of 17 games, and is on an 11-game hit streak) but defensively as well, as evidenced by his key throw home to double off the Sabers in the late stages.

That bring us to Mililani, a team that has been of the under-the-radar variety all year. And while I'm pretty sure that's not the way head coach Mark Hirayama drew it up, he has to be ecstatic with how his club has come around down the stretch.

The Trojans have relied on solid pitching and defense all season, and while those facets have sparkled in four straight wins and nine of the last ten, the achillies heel for Mililani is run production.

As I noted before, the Trojans have only broken the five-run barrier twice in 18 games played, a 6-0 win over Leilehua on April 9 and a 10-1 victory over Aiea on 5/1 in the OIA playoffs.

Make no mistake though, the Trojans have generated some clutch offense during their tourney run. Justice Nakagawa and Adam Connell have come up huge, acccounting for nearly half of the runs driven in (6), and Kaimana Souza-Paaluhi has 7 base hits thus far from the leadoff spot.

Cole Nakachi should get the start tonight in the finale, and Mililani will look to their 'number one' to keep the Crusaders' bats quiet and off-balance. Nakachi has allowed 6 runs in his last 11 2/3 innings of work, but hasn't given up more than 4 runs in any one outing all year. A return to mid-season form, where he threw 25 2/3 innings with just 3 runs allowed during a four-game stretch (including 8 scoreless against Kapolei), would be more than timely for Trojan nation.

Prediction: Its hard to not root for Miliani, a team making its second straight title game appearance which included knocking off top-seeded and defending state champion Mid-Pacific. Saint Louis though, is due for some postseason success as well, a team that has had talent to spare for a number of years now and seems to have all the pieces in the right place this year. In terms of pitching and defense, its a near push, with a slight edge to a Saint Louis staff. For me, its the lack of run-scoring prowess on the Trojans' part that is the tipping point, especially given that the Crusaders have shown that they can manufacture runs 'small-ball style' with the best of em as well as swing for the fences. SAINT LOUIS 5 - MILILANI 2