Joshua Lee was a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate with a double and two runs batted in, helping lead the Marauders to a win over the Bulldogs. Michael Lasquero | SL

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Editor's note: As the suspension of all prep sports continues, each week we will take a look back at a game of significance from the same week of past seasons we've covered. Along with a brief summary of the game itself, we'll review the impact it had on the winning team's season and reflect upon some of the then-seniors who played a part in it.

GAME RECAP

The game proved to be a back-and-forth affair that ultimately came down to one costly error by the Bulldogs in the bottom of the sixth inning that allowed the Marauders to plate the tying and go-ahead runs in.

Waipahu took an early lead with a single run in the bottom of the first. However, Waialua tied it in the top of the second and took a 2-1 lead in the third. The home team pulled even in the bottom half of the frame, but saw the visitors reclaim the lead in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI-single to deep right field off the bat of Sam Wirtz that scored Justin Lorenzo.

Chad Cadiente led off the bottom of the sixth with a double down the left field line. Makana Quia-Estanique then reached on an infield single to put runners at the corner with no outs. Waialua pitcher Kyler Dicion got the next two batters to ground out. However, Jonston Viloria put a ball into play that ultimately resulted in a throwing error and allowed both Cadiente and Quia-Estanique to score.

Reliever Javin Barcenilla got the win with 2 2/3 scoreless innings of three-hit ball. He struck out two and walked none after taking over for starter Seth Garcia, who allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits, with three strikeouts and two walks in 4 1/3 innings of work.

Dicion was charged with the loss. He gave up four runs (one earned) on seven hits, with three strikeouts and no walks in six innings pitched.

THE IMPACT

The win pushed the Marauders' record to 5-0 on the season in the OIA Division II standings. They went on to win their first 11 games and finished 12-2-1 on the season. Waipahu reached the championship game of the league tournament, but lost to Radford before it took on three neighbor island teams in May's state championships (lost to KS-Hawaii, beat Molokai, tied Konawaena). The victory over the Bulldogs was the only game decided by one run for Waipahu all season. The team was well-represented in the OIA All-Star selections with seven first-team picks, including Player of the Year Jayden Borja, and two more on the second team. Also, Waipahu's Ian Ferris was selected as league Coach of the Year. Borja, a senior third baseman, was the team's lone All-Hawaii First Team player, while junior catcher Joshua Lee and senior outfielder Matthew Fiesta picked up Second Team honors.

HE SAID IT

"I remember that after the game, we as coaches talked because we really came out flat and it was one of those games we were really lucky to win. I think up until that point we were 4-0 and I don't think we were looking past Waialua, but I think it was a matter of being overconfident in our own abilities and I think it was a wake-up call for our guys that, ‘hey, if we're not at our best, we can be beaten,' and realistically, if not for a two-out error in the bottom of the sixth, we wouldn't have won. We hadn't really swung it that well and the Waialua kid, Dicion, really pitched a good game, so we talked to the kids after and I think that it definitely helped us moving forward throughout the rest of the season." -Ian Ferris, Waipahu coach

Ferris reflected upon some of the seniors on that team.

Javin Barcenilla: "That outing really solidified his position in our rotation to be that guy that we got put him out there to put out the fire. He's got a rubber arm; he didn't have to throw a whole lot as far as bullpens, but could give us three innings like that and the next day, his arm would only be a little tight, but that game showed us that we could put him in those tight spots and he would come through for us. He didn't throw super hard, he didn't blow it by you, but he would be smart and mix-up speeds, he could spot his fastball, curveball and change-up and really, he would catch guys by surprise, if anything. His craftiness and his ability to locate were his biggest strengths."

Jayden Borja: "I first coached Jayden as a freshman as the JV head coach and he was solid then, good baseball IQ, quiet but a hard worker, a leader through his work ethic. He was a three-year varsity starter and was our horse last year. Someone that really grew up and put in the work and had a great year to show for it. His preferred position was first base, but injuries and grades led to him taking over third (he was the starter there his sophomore year) and he was our rock of the infield there. Great leader and great kid, really miss having him around, good student too, played both junior and senior years at shortstop. He was also voted one of our team captains, along with Chad Cadiente and Cade Phillips.”

Chad Cadiente: "Chad had played with us from his freshman year, but moved to Oregon for his sophomore and junior years and then some family stuff brought him back and we were glad to have him back. He's a really good kid, really good family. Initially he wanted to play infield, but it was kind of crowded, so he took on the challenge of playing outfield, which he hadn't played much of since his freshman year, but he's just a ballplayer and wanted to help the team. Him and Javin were guys that weren't real vocal, but they led through their actions, through their effort and through their consistency."

Matthew Fiesta: "Great athlete. I think he's playing football at Whitworth, but good work ethic and that senior class as a whole, when we closed out the year last year, one of the things we talked to this year's seniors about, even as coaches, this is a group that really led by example. They weren't a real vocal group, but work ethic and consistency — we talked about the consistency of attitude and effort — and I think last year's senior class was a good representative of that."

Seth Garcia: "He was our ace his junior year, but he had a couple of health things pop up senior year. He got hurt during soccer, but he battled and did a great job for us on the mound throughout the year."

Adam Lake: "He's kind of like Chad, played with us his freshman year, but didn't play his sophomore and junior years because he had a back injury he had suffered. I had him as a student his junior year and so he was somebody that I was kind of in his ear about coming back. He's got a great baseball IQ, he's a smart player, real positive kid, has a good relationship with the baseball boys, so I even said he could be like a player/coach, but he's another one that wanted to finish off high school playing baseball and he had a couple of good games for us, but really he was one of those guys that kind of, like Javin and Chad, just led by example. He had awesome work ethic, he'd stay after practice to run, or throw, or hit and just put in the extra work. Even though he wasn't a starter, I always tried to get him an at-bat, just out of respect for the work that he put in."

Jared Miyasato: "Another one who was a big surprise for us his senior year. He really struggled his junior year, summer time he just couldn't figure it out. He was trying different stances and different things and he worked real hard in the offseason in the weight room and just got really rewarded by being a guy that we hadn't initially intentioned to be a starter — because we felt outfield would be a place of depth for us — but the way he swung the bat forced us to keep him in there and I was really happy to see that work out for him."

Saxon Tote: “He was a guy that came out for baseball his senior year, played football throughout high school, big, strong kid, great athlete but was also realistic about where he stood skill-wise as a baseball player compared to the rest because he hadn’t played since he was a young kid. He understood his role as someone who would bring a bunch of positive energy, be the guy that would pick other guys up and just really work hard and push guys in practice. He was a role model for the type of effort and energy and positive attitude that we wanted every kid to come to practice with every day. He was good friends with Matt Fiesta and Matt was the one who encouraged him to come out for baseball. We were able to get him an at bat in the fifth-place game versus Konawaena and he got on base; One of the best moments of the season for us.”

Jonston Viloria: He started off as a backup second baseman, but ended up starting and sharing the position with Javin once our starter, Cade Phillips, went down with a torn ACL against Kalaheo. He did a great job playing solid defense and bringing energy to our (offense)."

MOVING FORWARD

"I think last season as a whole was a great experience for the coaches, as well as the players. It didn't end the way we wanted, especially the way we went through the regular season (undefeated), but considering where we came from the previous year — going 1-11 in the D1 — that group of kids that went through the ringer the previous year, I think it was a real confidence booster for us coming into this year. Every year is a new team, new group of guys, new group of seniors that need to step up and I think this group of seniors were figuring it out. We had a rough preseason — I try to schedule tougher teams because I think it's important that we cut our teeth against those teams — but they were just kind of starting to figure it out. The seniors were showing that leadership that we were looking for. Even through we lost that Radford game (to start the season), it was a real good game. We were looking forward to seeing how this year would play out. I'm kind of bummed, especially for this year's seniors, but hopefully if we get back in May we'll still get a couple of weeks to put something together for a shortened season or something." -Ferris