Waiakea and Hilo Renew Baseball Rivalry Under Wong Stadium Lights

For the first time since the 2013 Big Island Interscholastic Federation Division I championship game, cross-town rivals Hilo and Waiakea will meet at Wong Stadium.

Friday’s game is technically a home game for the Warriors, but Waiakea moved the game to Wong Stadium to accommodate a larger crowd. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.

Waiakea will send Kodi Medeiros to the mound for the evening affair. The left-handed pitcher and outfielder is projected as one of the top southpaw pitchers available for this year’s Major League Baseball draft. ProspectInsider.com currently expects the Pepperdine commit to be selected late in the first round of the draft.

So far this year, Medeiros has struck out 27 batters in just 12 and two-thirds innings. He has an earned run average of 1.66 and has only allowed just three hits.

At the place, Medeiros has his team’s only home runn of the season. The left-handed hitter is currently hitting .600 in BIIF play and has a team-high 11 runs batted in.

The heart of Hilo’s batting order is expected to give Medeiros a tough challenge. Jodd Carter, Jalen Carvalho, and Noah Serrao mix a combination of power hitting and base-running speed to the middle of the lineup.

The regular season championship is still up for grabs between the two squads. Waiakea holds a 5-1 record entering Friday’s showdown while Hilo currently sits at 4-1-1. The Vikings’ tie came nine days ago at Wong Stadium against Kamehameha-Hawai`i when darkness was called just after 5:30 p.m.

The regular season champion, barring any ties, receives an automatic berth to the Wally Yonamine Foundation / Hawai`i High School Athletic Association Division I Baseball Championships on Oahu next month.

Hilo head coach Tony DeSa has not yet announced his starting pitcher.

According to Thomas Correa, athletic director at Waiakea High School, general admission prices for the game are $3. Seniors can get in for $2, and students are allowed in for $1.