Early lead helps Waianae stun KS-Hawaii; Kauai next

Waianae's Joeziah Clifton sprints to home plate to score a run in the top of the third inning. Michael Lasquero | SL

Waianae scored early and often to pull away from second-seeded Kamehameha-Hawaii, 5-1, Wednesday afternoon in the opening round of the Wally Yonamine Foundation Division II Baseball Championships at Pearl City's field.

The Seariders, the third place team from the OIA, moves on to face third-seeded Kauai in a 10 a.m. semifinal at Les Murakami Stadium Thursday morning.

Joeziah Clifton batted 2-for-3 with a double and scored a run in the first and third inning to help Waianae jump out to an early lead. Kyson Rosa and winning pitcher Chaseten Rice also had multiple hits. Five-hole hitter Rico Gazelle did his job in the middle of the order with three RBIs.

Rice went the distance on 96 pitches in the win, scattering five hits with three strikeouts while walking two and allowing one earned run.

Dylan Hanson was tagged with the loss for the Warriors, winners of the BIIF. He went two innings before giving way to Noah Palea, who struck out five.

Palea allowed just one run, which came after Waianae executed a double steal with runners at the corners. Nainoa Nagum, who stole three bases, scored on that play.

Shiloh Santos batted 2-for-3 and drove in the lone run for KS-Hawaii.