Waipahu Finishes Strong In First DI Year
The Waipahu High School baseball team finished its first season in Division I with work well done this spring, going 8-4 in the ultra-competitive Red West, as well as earning a berth in the state tournament.
The Marauders’ play on the field also earned the program its share of post-season awards, led by senior pitcher Dylan Sugimoto, who recently was named OIA Red West Player of the Year. Sugimoto went 6-1 in games versus OIA teams this spring.
Sugimoto also was a First Team All-League selection last year in Division II when Waipahu won both the Division II OIA title and DII state title before being promoted to Division I.
His selection also marked the second straight year Waipahu had a player chosen MVP of the league. Drake Yoshioka was 2012 OIA White Player of the Year.
Waipahu coach Milton Takenaka, who retired at season’s end, was named Coach of the Year. Takenaka had planned to retire at the end of 2012, but returned for a final season in 2013 to coach the Marauders through their first season in Division I.
The team also placed three players on the Red West’s Second Team: first baseman Joshua Manglangit, third baseman Tyler Enos and outfielder Jordan Mediola. (The OIA’s All- Conference teams are chosen in a vote of league coaches at season’s end.)
Campbell High, which won the OIA Division I championship, had three First Team picks: Rayven Kahana (first base), out-fielder Raymond Pedrina (outfield) and pitcher Jasten Smeigh.
The Sabers went 15-2 on the year, advancing all the way to the semifinals of the Division I state tournament before dropping a hard-fought 2-1 decision to eventual champion Mid-Pacific.
Campbell also saw three players named to the West’s Second Team: catcher Tryzen Patricio, outfielder Brannon Okinaka and pitcher Ian Kahaloa.
Pearl City, which finished 13-6 overall, had a league-high five players make the First Team, including shortstop Colby Hirano, outfielders Tanner Tokunaga and Sean Milan, Matt Tsutomi (designated hitter) and Kamalu Neal (utility).
Second baseman Jason Komoda also made the Second Team. The Chargers went 11-4 over the final 14 games after a 2-3 start.
Aiea High School had a pair of Second Team picks in shortstop Daylen Pajimola and designated hitter Patrick Villanueva. Na Ali‘i went 5-8 overall this spring.
