KEAAU – Kamehameha’s Jessica Cameros and Taylor Sullivan weren’t just thinking about singles on their makeshift Senior Day. They were digging for two, and they were far from alone.
Instead of listing all the Warriors who ripped doubles Tuesday in their 16-1 BIIF softball victory against Konawaena in a TKO at Keaau High, it’d be easier to rattle off those who didn’t.
Which is to take nothing away from Kawai Kauahi-Raquel and Kuulei Ili, who contributed in their own way, with singles, as the six-time defending Division II champion Warriors (13-2) got a hit from every starter in the lineup to clinch the top seed and “home-field” advantage in the Division II semifinals.
“A lot of confidence,” said Kauahi-Raquel, who was 2 for 3. “We bring positivity and we click.”
Kamehameha’s victory finalized the best-of-three semifinal matchups. The Warriors will play Honokaa (9-6) in a doubleheader Saturday (10 a.m. and 3 p.m.) at Keaau High, while Kohala (12-4) takes on the Wildcats (10-6) in a 11 a.m. doubleheader in Kapaau.
Also on Tuesday, Kohala beat Honokaa 17-1 behind an otherworldy nine-RBI effort from Mikayla Kekoa.
With the rampant rain, Kamehameha has had trouble with the drainage at its campus softball field, limiting the Warriors to just a handful of home games. On Tuesday, the Warriors simply moved down the road and played pepper with the gaps at the’ Cougars field.
The first seven batters in the order each doubled as nearly half of Kamehameha’s 16 hits were of the two-base variety.
“We just came ready to play, we brought intensity and we leveled up,” said freshman Kawehi Ili, who finished with three hits and four RBIs – though the shortstop’s best play of the game might have been a diving catch of a pop fly in the infield to save a hit.
Leiloa Bustamante (3 for 4, three RBIs) started the doubles display with a laser to left-center to drive in a run in the first, and her two-run single with two outs in the fourth ended the game.
Co-ace Brooke Baptiste struggled some with her control, but she limited Konawaena to three singles with a strikeout.
Kamehameha coach Akea Kiyuna is comfortable in using any of her three pitchers, Cameros and Sullivan included, in the postseason.
“They are all very different depending on the situation,” Kiyuna said.
Back to all those doubles.
Baptiste doubled to start the rally in the fourth, and Hiwa Helenihi fueled the onslaught with another one later in the inning. Dioni Lincoln was 2 for 4 with a run-scoring double.
Cameros’ came in the third to drive in a run, and she scored on a two-bagger by Sullivan, who was 2 for 4 with three RBIs.
“Taylor, she really brings laughter to the team. She picks us all up,” Kawehi Ili said. “Jess is quiet, but she picks us all up.
“They teach us how to keep working hard.”
Andi Uemura pitched 1 2/3 innings and allowed seven hits, and Shaylynn Grace also worked 1 2/3 for Konawaena, which heads to the playoffs on a three-game losing streak.
Jayla Medeiros and Magedlynn Anuntak singled in the second and the Wildcats scored their run on Rachel Sato’s bases-loaded walk.
Kamehameha finishes the regular season Wednesday at Honokaa in what will be its seventh game in eight days.
A team without a home but, “Everything is good,” Kauahi-Raquel said.
Kohala 17, Honokaa 1
Mikalya Kekoa was a run-producer galore and run-stopper all in one.
The junior hit a three-run home run and accounted for nine RBIs, and she also struck out eight in a three-hitter as Kohala won its ninth in a row.
Kekoa also collected a pair of bases-loaded doubles, and Cheylin Imai had two hits, including an RBI single.
Taylor Tabucbuc drove in the Dragons’ run with a triple. Destynee-Skye Carvalho took the loss.
