This was unlike any other BIIF Division I championship between Hilo and Waiakea in their long storied history.
When the Vikings and Warriors meet, there’s always a high-intensity atmosphere, but it increases when there’s the carrot of a HHSAA state tournament first-round bye on the line.
Unlike other sports that receive a first-round bye at states, which can basically be counted as an automatic win, Division I baseball is different because a pitching staff is saved for a day. (In Division II, it’s an eight-team field, and there are no byes.)
Waiakea defeated Hilo 4-3 to capture the BIIF championship on Monday night at Wong Stadium, securing its first league title since 2014 and earning that coveted first-round bye.