Menehune shut down Marauders in state baseball

HILO — Waimea High School baseball, the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation champions, advanced to the semifinals of the Wally Yonamine Foundation Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association Division II state baseball championships after defeating Waipahu, 9-0, Thursday evening at the Francis Wong Stadium in Hilo, Hawai‘i.

Rolling behind the pitching staff of Anson Lazaro and Tresten Shigematsu, the Menehune, seeded No. 2 in Division II, allowed just two hits to the Marauders while collecting eight hits en route to the win played under overcast skies.

Lazaro worked four innings, allowing two hits, and whiffed six Waipahu batters while walking one.

Shigematsu closed with three innings of work, striking out one and walking two batters.

Lazaro also helped himself in the batter’s box with one of the eight Menehune hits, and batting in three runners. Shigematsu had two hits, scored two runs, and had an RBI. Designated hitter Robbie Correa had a hit with two RBI, and other Menehune whose bats found the ball included Noah Delanoza, Haweo Akeo, and Chet Pimsaguan.

Waipahu got their hits from Kolby Wagatsuma and Caleb Lauifi. Phoenix Torres suffered the loss on the mound giving up five runs on four hits while striking out two and walking five in two innings of work.

With the win, Waimea advances to face No. 3 Nanakuli High School who took a 4-3 edge over Konawaena in the Thursday quarterfinals.

Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i, getting past Waianae High School, 4-1 in the quarterfinals, is the Division II top seed.

The championship contest for the Division II games is scheduled for 7 p.m., Saturday at the Francis Wong Stadium.

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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.