Central Maui’s Josiah Kaya-Medeiros singles in the second inning of the Hawaii Little League Juniors State Tournament championship game Tuesday at Maehara Stadium. Central lost to Honolulu 6-2. The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photos

WAILUKU — It isn’t hard to imagine that Honolulu Little League’s 6-2 win over Central Maui in the Hawaii State Little League Junior (13-14) Division championship game Tuesday at Maehara Stadium was a preview look at baseball’s future in the 50th state.

The 2025 Wally Yonamine Foundation/HHSAA Division I state tournament would be at the same venue based on the current rotation plan and the HLL and CMLL teams are full of players that, at least some of whom, are likely to be there.

The Central Maui team has players set to attend Baldwin, Maui and Kamehameha Maui high schools. The HLL team has players set to attend Saint Louis, Iolani, Punahou, Kamehameha Kapalama and Mid-Pacific Institute.

“Very proud of our boys, as we know Maui has always been a traditionally tough team and they have some really good players there and their coaches are excellent coaches,” Honolulu manager Kevin Bagoyo said. “So, for us to come here and to beat them twice is very humbling. You know, credit to our boys who executed and played well.”

Bagoyo smiled when asked about the Maehara Stadium natural grass facility that his team had just run through with a 3-0 record.

Central Maui’s Jayden Perry-Waikiki releases a third-inning pitch Tuesday.

“Oh, it’s such a blessing to be here — we don’t have this kind of opportunity to play in this type of place on Oahu, so for us to come here and play in such a beautiful venue is such a treat,” Bagoyo said. “Thank you to the county for doing such a great job.”

He added, “These are good boys, look out for them in the future.”

Honolulu scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back. Maui got a run back in the top of the second, but Honolulu pushed the lead to 6-1 with a run in the third.

Central Maui loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the sixth inning and pushed a run across on a wild pitch, but could not get any closer.

Four HLL players had two hits apiece, while Micah Bennett and Peyton Shimokawa combined on a four-hitter for the state champions who are now bound for the West Regional in Bend, Ore., July 31-Aug. 10.

Central Maui’s George Dafun singles during the sixth inning Tuesday.

“Such an excellent opportunity for these boys,” Bagoyo said. “It’s all for the kids, they earned it, they worked hard. So, I know they’re looking forward to going out there and having fun and just extending the season.”

Maui manager Kurt Watanabe said his boys will learn from their experience.

Central Maui’s Marcus Mamuad will be a sophomore in a couple weeks when school begins at Maui High, and George Dafun Jr. will be the same at Baldwin. Six more on the CMLL roster are entering their freshmen years.

“We had a good group of kids, they played hard until the end,” he said. “We hope they’ll learn from this and, you know, getting the experience to play on the big field against good competition. Yeah, just hope that they learn and they grow.”

Watanabe tipped his cap to Honolulu.

Central Maui third baseman Devyn Malu Rosaga tags out Honolulu’s Noah Chong after he was caught in a second-inning rundown Tuesday. Making the call is base umpire Larry Anderson.

“Man, they played really well, good luck to them going forward,” he said.

Watanabe smiled at the possibility of Tuesday’s scene repeating itself in less than two years for the HHSAA tournament, with the strong probability that some of the same players will see each other again.

“You know, this was all to help prepare them for high school,” Watanabe said. “They all know each other from travel ball and other tournaments and other teams, so it was nice to see.”

* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com.

Central Maui0100010–244

Honolulu501000x–6112

Jayden Perry-Waikiki and Josiah Kaya-Medeiros, Kai Watanabe (2); Micah Bennett, Peyton Shimokawa (7) and A.J. Wada. W–Bennett. L– Perry-Waikiki.

Leading hitters–Honolulu, Chase Kawakami 2-3, run, RBI; Wada 2-3, RBI; Bennett 2-2, run; Tate Kobashigawa 2-3, run, RBI.

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