There were some rough patches in the first inning that Kohala coach Joby Amaral still would like to see his team iron out.
But on Monday, Denae Rivera helped smooth everything over with one big at-bat. The senior’s grand slam highlighted her team’s 12-run second inning, and the Cowgirls beat Ka’u 19-4 in Kapaau for their first Big Island Interscholastic Federation softball victory of the season.
“It feels good to get the first win, but we’re a little sluggish early,” Amaral said. “We’ve just got to get more motivated.”
Kohala (1-1) spotted the Trojans (1-2) three runs in the first inning due to wildness in the circle, but it scored six runs in its half of the first before erupting in the second inning, led by Rivera, a senior shortstop who finished 2 for 3 with six RBIs.
Ashlyn Van Zandt collected three hits and Setsuko Kimura was 2 for 3 with two RBIs in a contest that ended after the top of the fourth because of the BIIF mercy rule.
Kimura started but lasted only a third of an inning. Symphony Kauanoe relieved and got the victory with two and 2/3’s scoreless innings in which she struck out three and allowed a hit, a walk and hit one batter.
Ka’u starter Sheri Lynn Freitas issued seven walks and hit two batters in three innings. In the top of the fourth, Freitas scored on Analei Emmsley-Ah Yee’s triple.
Aysha Kaupu had the Trojans’ other hit. Alysha Gustafson-Savella, Shyann Flores-Carvalho and Staysha Ault drove in runs for Ka’u.
Ka’u 300 1– 4 2 2
Kohaka 6 12 1 – 19 10 3