HILO — The Hilo High School varsity baseball team beat Kamehameha Schools – Hawaii 2-1 on Thursday night during its final regular season home outing.
“It was a good team win,” HHS head coach Baba Lancaster said. “All of our starters who played did good.”
This victory marked the third time this season that the undefeated Vikings have come away with a one-point win. Earlier this season, Hilo beat Honokaa High School 1-0 and Waiakea High School 3-2.
“They never give up,” Lancaster said. “Games like this will help us out for when we get to state playoffs. We needed this win.”
The Warriors came out hot in the top first to put the Vikings behind a deficit. KSH leadoff Liwai Correa doubled on the first pitch of the game, then scored as two-hole Kaohu Kawelu singled. Two groundouts were passed to first baseman Dylan Villanaeva, first by Kamren Agpalza at second and then by shortstop Legend Lancaster. Villanueva caught a flyout to end the frame.
KSH shut Hilo out in the bottom frame. Agpalza hit a grounder to Warriors pitcher Dylan Hanson, who passed to first baseman Noah Palea for out No.1 . Makena Wakakura singled, but was quickly caught stealing for the second out. Hanson fanned the three-hole to send KSH back into the dugout.
Despite both teams getting on base in nearly every frame, no more runs were scored until the bottom fifth. There was some noteworthy defensive action until then — including Villanueva running into the fence and catching a pop foul in the top second, KSH outfielder Cross Pola making a diving catch for a lineout in the bottom second and Devin Saltiban also diving to catch a flyout in the top third.
The bottom fifth was when the Vikings evened the score. With two outs on the board, Agpalza singled. Wakakura walked to push Agpalza onto second base, then Saltiban batted in Agpalza with a ground single which barely reached the outfield. Palea was on the mound for KSH, and fanned a batter to strand Wakakura and Saltiban.
Legend Lancaster got on the hill in the top sixth — and after he struck out the leadoff, Hanson singled and Palea doubled. Lancaster struck out the next batter, but walked Braden Gomes right after. Facing immense pressure, Lancaster fanned the next batter looking — leaving the score tied.
Lancaster went right from the mound to the box to lead off the bottom sixth, and walked. Villanueva sacrifice bunted, and an overthrow let Lancaster reach third before the end of the play. Zion Palea then singled to bat in the go-ahead run. Palea was caught stealing second, then a flyout at second prevent Hilo from increasing its lead.
“Dylan’s bunt that advanced Legend to third,” coach Lancaster said, “that’s what got us to victory.”
Kydyn Nakamura led off the top seventh with a walk, then Correa sac-bunted to move him to second. The Vikings intentionally walked Kawelu, then the next batter flew out to Journey Leialoha as Nakamura advanced to third. Under pressure again, Lancaster fanned Hanson swinging to secure the win.
Hilo will cap off its regular season with a non-division game tomorrow at Hawaii Prep.
KSH will host its senior game at 3 p.m. Wednesday against Konawaena High School. Both the Warriors and Wildcats are undefeated in Division II, and Wednesday’s game may decide who enters the upcoming playoffs in the top seed.