The 2024 High School season is just getting undeway in Hawaii and for the first time ever, Prep Baseball Hawaii brings you Season Previews on High School teams from across the State. Coaches and players have been working nonstop since the conclusion of the 2023 season in preparation for a highly anticipated 2024 spring season. Throughout our Preseason Previews, we look to give you an inside scoop on some of the most highly talked about teams going into the spring season. We continue to provide insight and analysis as the season gets underway and we'll continue providing coverage throughout the Spring. 

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With our sixth 2024 Season Preview, we stay on the Island of Oahu as we break down the 2024 Waialua Bulldogs baseball program coming out of Oahu II (Division II). Following a 4-10 season in 2023, the Bulldogs looks to start their new campaign on the right foot as they open up against Kahaku this coming Saturday afternoon. The 2024 Bulldogs are led by Head Coach Coryn Iwamasa and below we'll break down everything you need to know about his team entering the new season.

High School: Waialua High School
Coach: Coryn Iwamasa
HHSAA Classification: Division II
Conference: Oahu II
2023 Record: 4-10

Returning Strengths/Players: '24 SS/RHP Ian Dobecki (Uncommitted) impressed on the mound last year, posting a 4.20 ERA across 29.2 innings and his 41 punchouts were good for 3rd in Hawaii's Division II. Dobecki can also get it done with the bat as he batted .385 as the team's shortstop when he wasn't on the mound. '24 C/1B Kaipo Albeso-Notebo (Uncommitted) was one of the more impactful bats in the teams lineup last year, batting .375 with a HR, 5 doubles and 10 RBI. Albeso-Notebo will be relied upon to drive the ball for exta-bases again and provide some thump in the middle of the order.

'24 3B/RHP/C Davin Almeida (Uncommitted) started every game at third last year but will transition behind the dish this year and handle the majority of the teams catching duties. '24 INF/RHP Elden Myers (Uncommitted) was on-base machine for the Bulldogs in 2023 as he hit .423 and also led the team in walks while scoring 12 runs. His ability to get on-base and move around them, along with his ability to hold down any positon on the infield, make him one of the more important pieces to this baseball club.

Top Newcomers: The Waialua Bulldogs top newcomer comes in the fashion of a freshman with '27 MIF/RHP Sky Hirota (Uncommitted). Hirota will provide some youth to a lineup that returns five starters while also being able to contribute on the mound. The young freshman should be a fun watch over his scheduled four-year career at Waialua.

Top Uncommitted Upperclass: '24 SS/RHP Ian Dobecki provides plus speed and should be receiving looks from potential junior college programs on the positional side. Dobecki has also topped out at 81mph on the mound. '24 C Kaipo Albeso-Notebo has good bat speed and provides power to both gaps. Junior college caliber catcher with 2.1 pop-time. '24 3B Davin Almeida is a contact hitter with quick feet and can play at the junior college at either second base or third base.

Top Uncommitted Underclass: Waialua's top uncommitted underclassmen comes via previously mentioned incoming freshman, '27 MIF/RHP Sky Hirota, who will take the field for the first time in his high school career this coming Saturday as the Bulldogs open up their 2024 campaign.

UPCOMING EVENTS

SHOWCASE	STATE	DATE	LOCATION
Hawaii Rising Stars ID	HI	04/21	Pearl City High School

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