Four years later, Kailua is back playing for a state title.

The Surfriders' speed on the base paths and ability to pitch out of tough situations was the difference in a 6-2 victory over Moanalua last night in the Division I semifinals of the Wally Yonamine Foundation/HHSAA Baseball State Championships at Les Murakami Stadium.

Kailua will play either Punahou or Kamehameha in tonight's championship game for a chance to win its first state title since 2001. That's also the last time a team from the Oahu Interscholastic Association was crowned champion.

“;These kids deserve all of this,”; Kailua coach Corey Ishigo said. “;Both teams played a very good game. Moanalua is a tough team.”;

The teams split two during the regular season, but Na Menehune had no answer for Kailua's speed.

The Surfriders swiped six bases, including three in the fourth inning to help take a 4-1 lead after a crucial mistake by Moanalua kept Na Menehune from tying the game.

Bronson Shim opened the inning with a single and was on second base with one out when Ryan Cortez walked. But on ball four from pitcher Bryson Gauthe, Shim tried to steal third and was thrown out in plenty of time.

Landon Yoshikawa followed with a double that scored one run, but it would have been two had Shim still been on base.

“;Missed signal,”; Moanalua coach Scott Yamada said. “;I think we pressed too hard.”;

Na Menehune left seven runners on base and couldn't score with the bases loaded and one out in the third. A walk, hit batter and single loaded the bases and brought in Gauthe to replace starter Gavin Kido.

Moanalua had its cleanup hitter at the plate, but Regan Lum bounced into a double play in the key at-bat of the game.

“;Couldn't ask for more,”; Gauthe said. “;They would have got the momentum so I just had to shut it down and get a ground ball.”;

Gauthe earned the win despite giving up both Moanalua runs in 3 1/3 innings. Alika Ramseyer-Ho retired the final four batters to earn the save.

“;Bryson has been a bulldog for us all year,”; Ishigo said.

Kailua pulled away with runs in the last three innings it came to bat. Moanalua's last chance came in the sixth with runners on first and third with two outs while trailing 5-2, but Ramseyer-Ho got Mike Egami to ground out to second.