Videos: ILH Baseball Championship Iolani 7, Kamehameha 0

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By Paul Honda
Honolulu Star Bulletin

Defense just won ‘Iolani another championship.

Behind Sheldon Lee’s craftsmanship and a golden-gloved defense that turned two double plays, ‘Iolani blanked Kamehameha 7-0 at Ala Wai Community Park yesterday to capture the Interscholastic League of Honolulu title.

It was a fitting end to the regular season for longtime Raiders coach Dean Yonamine, who announced in January plans to retire after this year.

“I don’t want to be poetic or anything, but I know the kids have been talking about it and they want to do this for me, but it’s not about me. It’s for them and especially the seniors,” Yonamine said.

‘Iolani captured its first league title since 1997 and sealed a state-tournament berth — a first since 2001.

“Credit to the kids. We came out flat on Saturday (in a loss to Punahou). No practice or anything because yesterday was Sunday, but you could tell they were determined,” Yonamine said.

Both teams finished the regular season 12-2, setting up yesterday’s showdown.

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Sheldon Lee scattered six hits in a seven-inning shutout and Buen Hatanaka had a double and two sacrifice flies yesterday as ‘Iolani blanked Kamehameha, 7-0, for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu regular season title and its first state tournament berth since 2000.

The victory at Ala Wai Field improved the Raiders — ranked No. 2 in The Advertiser’s statewide Top 10 poll of coaches and media — to 13-2 in ILH play and earned them the No. 1 seed in the league tournament which begins tomorrow.

“It’s a big relief,” said ‘Iolani senior first baseman Reyn Nagamine, a four-year starter. “Ever since I was on the varsity as a freshman, this was one of our goals, because (the Raiders) haven’t been to the state tournament for a while. It’s nice to see us come together and see all the hard work finally paid off.”