Vulcans drop out of latest top 25
The University of Hawai‘i at Hilo baseball team dropped out of the latest National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association NCAA Division II Top 25 Poll released Wednesday morning.
The previously-22nd-ranked Vulcans went 2-1 last week against Hawai‘i Pacific in a non-conference tilt on O‘ahu and received just five points in the this week’s poll.
Also falling out of the latest rankings was West Georgia (12) and West Texas A&M (25) while No. 23 Valdosta State, No. 24 Central Missouri and No. 25 Cal State Monterey Bay entered into the top 25 this week.
Reigning National Champion North Greenville (29-2) remained at No. 1 after garnering 500 points and all 20 first-place votes.
In the West Region rankings, the Vulcans also moved down a spot to No. 4 as they were leapfrogged by CSU Monterey Bay.
Cal State San Bernardino — ranked fifth in the national poll — held on to the top spot in the West region with No. 19 Azusa Pacific at the No. 2 spot.
UH-Hilo made its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division II rankings earlier this season at No. 25 after starting with wins over then-15th-ranked Augustana and Great Northwest Athletic Conference preseason favorite Northwest Nazarene.
Warriors rout Trojans
Waiakea High School’s varsity baseball and softball teams each recorded big, home victories over Ka‘u High School on Wednesday afternoon.
The Warriors’ softball team dominated the Trojans 25-1 in a three inning affair, while their baseball team won 15-1 in five innings.
The baseball game saw Waiakea score one run in the first inning, one in the second, five in the third and eight in the fourth. Ka‘u got on the board in the top fourth.
The Warriors’ slugging highlights included a bottom-first solo triple by Joshua Ward, a solo double by Teysen Tamiya and a RBI-double by Clemson Julian.
Ward led WHS in the box, going three-for-three with a walk to score three runs. Ivor Brooks also went three-for-three with three runs. Julian led in RBI with four.
Kaleb Wada pitched three innings while Gavin Nishida pitched two. Each of them allowed two hits and one walk — with Nishida fanning four and Wada fanning two.
The Warriors will travel to Honokaa High School on Saturday afternoon for their next outing.
Ka‘u’s next game will be announced soon.
Vikings sweep Cougars
The Hilo High School varsity boys volleyball team hosted Kea‘au Wednesday night and won with a sweep.
The Vikings won each set by scores of 25-13, 25-15 and 25-12.
The Cougars will have some time off before their next match, which will take place next April 8th at Kealakehe High School.
Hilo will host its next test tonight at 5 p.m. against Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i. The Vikings and the Warriors — both undefeated — will battle for the No.1 BIIF Division I standing.
Sunahara named DII player of year
The National Association of Basketball Coaches named RJ Sunahara its Division II Player of the Year.
The redshirt junior — son of Hilo High School alumni and West Virginia University women’s volleyball coach Reed Sunahara — led Nova Southeastern University to a perfect season and the 2023 NCAA Division II National Championship title.
The Sharks beat West Liberty 111-101 in the championship Saturday, becoming the sixth team to notch a perfect season in Division II history.
This season, Sunahara was also named D2CCA South Region Player of the Year and Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year. Previously, he was declared Sunshine State Conference Defensive Player of the Year for the 2021-22 season and Sunshine State Conference Freshman of the Year for the 2019-20 season.
Sunahara is Nova Southeastern’s all-time leader in blocks (172) and free throws (342) and holds the season record for blocks with 76 last season.