KEALAKEKUA — In a battle of first year head coaches, Monica Montijo’s Konawaena squad rode five first-inning runs on the way to a 7-1 victory on Saturday over visiting Hilo and their new coach Amber Waracka.
The Wildcats took advantage of three free bases in the bottom of the first inning, while a ground rule double off the bat of Shaylann Grace gave Konawaena an advantage the team would not relinquish.
“This was a good win for us and we were able to get everyone some playing time,” Montijo said. “We came out and everyone supported each other and that is very important to us.”
Erin Kaimuloa Bates started inside the circle for the Wildcats but she sprained her ankle when she stepped on a Hilo fielder’s foot after beating out a bunt for a single in the bottom of the opening frame. Grace, the team’s ace, took over in the second inning.
“Unfortunately Erin got injured,” Montijo said. “We were hoping to get her some time but Grace came in and did a great job. She had a dominant performance and we are lucky to have her.”
Grace was nearly unhittable in six innings of work. In fact, she allowed only one hit, a single up the middle off the bat of Hilo’s Angelina Wright in the fifth. Grace averaged two strikeouts an inning, and struck out the side in the sixth on the way to a game-high 10. She walked just two.
“She is having a solid year and expanding her knowledge of the game,” Montijo said. “She is continuing to work hard, fine tune, and take chances to make herself even a better player than she already is.”
Cassidy Kaaaua got the start of the Vikings and she went the distance in the loss, allowing seven runs and seven hits. She struck out one and walked seven.
Four of Konawaena’s hits came in the first two innings, as well as six of the seven walks by Keaaua, which led to a 6-1 lead. Afterward, the offense struggled, never managing more than one hit in an inning.
“When you have a slower pitcher, it is tough, because everyone wants to yank it,” Montijo said. “We have been working a lot on the tee, trying to drive through the ball, and that is what we worked on today.”
Andi Uemura led the Wildcat offense with three hits. She had a double and two singles.
The Wildcats will head back to the diamond on Monday for a game at Hawaii Preparatory Academy. Hilo will be on the road against Kamehameha-Hawaii on Wednesday. Both games start at 3 p.m.
Baseball
Hilo 15,
Konawaena 5
After arriving to Konawaena High School early and sitting through most of the midday softball game, the Hilo offense took a little while to get going on Saturday.
But when it did, it didn’t stop, leading to a 15-5 rout over the Wildcats in Kealakekua.
The Vikings fell into a 4-0 hole in the top of the second inning and trailed by two heading into the fourth as Konawaena’s ace on the hill, Kolu Alani, kept the Hilo offense in check. However, Alani exited after three innings, and the Vikings took advantage, putting a 12 spot on the board in the top of the fourth off pitchers Boaz Ayers and AJ Allred.
Hilo managed seven hits in the seventh frame, while also taking advantage of five walks. The big hit came off the bat of leadoff hitter Micah Bellow, who doubled to center to put his team up 10-4.
Bello finished the day with two hits, two runs and two RBIs. His double was the only Vikings extra base hit of the game. Puukani De Sa led Hilo with three hits, all singles. He knocked in three and scored twice.
Konawaena managed only two hits, both coming off the bat of Alani, who had a triple and a single. He also walked, scored once and picked up an RBI.
Ocean Gabonia struggled with his control in a start for the Vikings. He allowed four runs thanks to five walks before getting pulled after 1 1/3 innings. Nainoa Kane-Yates was dominant in the relief appearance, allowing only one hit and one unearned run over 4 2/3 innings. He struck out four and walked two to pick up the victory.