Molokai Claims MIL D-II Baseball Crown

By Fred Guzman

The Farmers are headed for the big city. Molokai earned the MIL’s only berth in the state Division-II baseball tournament with a 10-2 win over Seabury Hall on Friday night in the final of the MIL tourney.

Right-hander Kaoli Place went the distance for the Farmers, allowing four hits while striking out 12. Place helped his own cause by collecting three hits – including a double – and drove I three runs.

In the opening game of a double-header at Iron Maehara Stadium, Kamehameha-Maui assured itself of a berth in the state D-I tourney while keeping alive its hopes of winning the MIL overall title.

The Warriors held off Maui High for a 4-2 semifinal victory and will meet regular-season champion Baldwin in tonight’s MIL tournament finale.

If the Bears win, they will nail down the overall title and received the league’s seeded berth on Oahu. If the Warriors win, they will force a playoff game for the MIL overall crown.

On Friday, Kamehameha right-hander Cody Pundyke went the distance on the mound and went 2-for-2 at the plate.

Baldwin is the state’s third-ranked team and are 13-0 in the MIL this season. The Bears recently registered a three-game sweep against Kamehameha, which brings a 7-6 mark into tonight’s tournament finale.

But the Bears nearly were the victims of a major upset at the hands of King Kekaulike in Thursday’s semifinals. Baldwin needed a two-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning to secure a 4-3 walkoff victory over Na Alii.

SOFTBALL: Lahainaluna ended years of frustrating close calls by finally beating Baldwin to capture the MIL Division-I overall title. The Lunas posted a 7-0 win over the seven-time defending-champion Bears at Patsy Mink Field in the MIL tournament title game. Both teams will represent the league in the upcoming state tournament on Oahu.