HILO – Waiakea showed that nothing is guaranteed, even a big lead late in a ballgame, in a softball season of parity and unpredictability.
The Warriors rallied to beat Hilo 14-10 in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation game on Friday during Merrie Monarch week, when it always rains.
That’s how the Big Island got its motto, “It always rain in Hilo,” when someone from Oahu came during the Merrie Monarch, and noted East Hawaii’s famous weather.
It rained, paused for a brief second or two, then a downpour of wet stuff soaked the Warriors’ field, where the home team trailed 9-4 heading into the bottom of the fifth, and tied it 10-10 after six innings.
Waiakea junior catcher Taylor Nishimura was productive in those two trips to the plate. She clubbed an RBI triple in a six-run fifth, and a three-run homer in the sixth inning.
“We really worked hard at practice and didn’t give up,” said Nishimura, who follows a simple hitting strategy. “I stay relaxed and hit the ball. Whatever happens, happens. I just see the ball and hit the ball.”
For Nishimura, who played second base last year, that approach worked like a charm.
“For the past few games, she’s been hitting the ball hard at people, but today it fell in,” Waiakea coach Bo Saiki said. “It was a good comeback win. We never gave up.”
Nishimura batted 3 for 4 with five RBIs to lead a 12-hit parade. Following a first-name hitting theme, junior third baseman Taylor Ogawa went 2 for 3, including a three-run homer in that fun-filled fifth inning.
For those unaware, the fence is a long distance away. It’s nearly impossible to crack a homer, and jog around the bases. It’s much easier to poke a rolling ball between two outfielders, and sprint home.
Waiakea (4-3) doesn’t have much of a shot at the outright BIIF regular-season title, which includes a berth to the HHSAA Division I state tournament.
The Warriors did the next best thing: spoil crosstown rival Hilo’s chance of jumping into the driver’s seat for that automatic state spot.
The disappointed Vikings (6-3) close their regular season April 18 at home against Kealakehe (5-4).
Keaau (6-2) had a bye and next hosts Division II unbeaten Kamehameha on Wednesday.
It was cold, wet and soggy weather during Merrie Monarch’s annual rainfall, but some of the bats were smoking hot.
Waiakea sophomore first baseman Skylar Thomas batted 2 for 3 with four RBIs, drilling a two-run double in the third, and a two-run triple in that robust fifth inning. Brandee Chinen added two hits.
Hilo catcher Caitlyn Price batted 2 for 3 with five RBIs, whacking a three-run triple in the third, and a two-run homer in the fourth. Moana Pinner went 2 for 2 with an RBI.
Kristi Harata went three innings, gave up four runs on one hit and five walks, and got the win. Alyssa Hara pitched four innings, and got a well-deserved save, surviving through seven hits and four walks.
Sophomore ace Zoe Cabarloc went the distance in the loss. The Viking right-hander allowed 12 hits, six walks and hit a batter. That’s a lot of base runners, but the damage could have been worse because she stranded nine.
Despite being soaked to the bone, Saiki was in merry mood. His Warriors are swinging the bats and knocking in runs. So what if the opposition scored 10 runs? His Warriors scored more.
“We would always get ourselves into trouble with errors,” said Saiki, whose defense had two fairly harmless miscues on the day. “It’s the second or third game where we’ve had runners on base, the bases full, and not been able to score runs. But at least we scored a few runs early.”
Hilo 012 421 0 — 10 8 4
Waiakea 013 064 x — 14 12 2
Honokaa 7, Kealakehe 5
The host Dragons took advantage of four first-inning errors to score four runs, and they rode Keesha Matsuoka’s complete game to their fourth consecutive victory.
Taylor Tabucbuc hit an RBI double in the second inning and Tyrah Fernandez tripled and scored in the third for Honokaa (5-3), which remained in a second-place tie with Kohala in Division II. The Dragons and Cowgirls play Wednesday in Kapaau, and the winner will earn home-field advantage in the BIIF semifinals.
“We are really coming around,” Honokaa coach Wesley Fujimoto said. “It’s nice to be peaking at the right time.”
The Waveriders (5-4) made five errors in losing for the third time in four games to fall into last place in Division I. Kiara Cantiberos was removed after four batters, and Tavian Taketa pitched six innings, walking five with four strikeouts.
Verly Decasa was 3 for 3 with two runs scored for Kealakehe and Leisha Nakagawa doubled among her two hits and finished wit two RBIs.
Matsuoka earned her second victory in as many starts this week, striking out two and walking two.
Kealakehe 000 130 1 – 5 8 5
Honokaa 421 000 x – 7 5 1
Kamehameha 19, Ka’u 4
Five players paired hits, freshman Jessica Cameros picked up her first win and the host Warriors secured the top seed at the BIIF Division II tournament and their fourth consecutive trip to the HHSAA tournament.
Kiarra Lincoln, Kekai Wong Yuen, Taylor Sullivan, Makena Wagner and Samantha Simmons each powered Kamehameha (8-0) with two hits.
Sky Kanakaole had two of the Trojans’ four hits, while Sheri Lynn Freitas took the loss for Ka’u (2-6).