On Day 4, the magic ran out for Waiakea in Honolulu.
The defense wasn’t as sharp, the bunts weren’t as precise, the hitting wasn’t as opportunistic and the pitching ran out of gas.
The Warriors met a determined Maui team intent on ending a 35-year title drought, and the Sabers did just that with a 6-1 victory Saturday night for the HHSAA Division I baseball championship at Les Murakami Stadium in Honolulu.
The title game was the first matching Neighbor Island teams since Waiakea beat Baldwin in 2012 for what remains the Warriors’ last championship.
After falling short against a Valley Island team this time, BIIF runner-up Waiakea (17-3) gathered near first base to congratulate each other on a season well done.