KEA‘AU — Kohala High’s baseball and softball teams made their second trip of the week to the isle’s east side, suffering a pair of losses to Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i on Saturday.
SOFTBALL: KSH 5 – KOHALA 4
Despite an almost-successful comeback effort in the seventh inning, the Cowgirls fell just short to the Warriors — losing 5-4.
After a quick first inning that saw both teams go out in three straight batters, Kohala plated a run in the top of the second inning. KSH responded with two runs in the bottom frame.
After a scoreless third inning, the Cowgirls tied the game as Kaneesha Santiago batted in Kalia Marquez. The Warriors were again quick to respond — plating three more runs in the bottom frame to lead 5-2.
Kohala held KSH off for two innings, then nearly turned the tide of the game in the top seventh — scoring two runs. But, two flyouts and a strikeout — all in a row — left a runner on second and ended the Cowgirls’ chance for a comeback.
Emily Hora earned the win on the mound and notched six strikeouts.
Now 1-3 overall and 1-1 in BIIF DII, this was Kohala’s second one-run road loss this week — as the Cowgirls fell 10-9 to Hilo on Wednesday. Kohala will host its next outing, a non-division test against Waiakea High (3-0) and first of a four-game homestead that will conclude mid-April.
The win over the Cowgirls brought the Warriors up to .500 — both overall and in BIIF DII play — an important step in their recovery from a 0-2 start, during which they were outscored 37-9. Total in its last two wins, KSH has outscored opponents 27-6.
The Warriors will have plenty of preparation time before chasing a winning record at their next matchup, a home game against Ka‘u High (0-3) on March 26.
BASEBALL: KSH 23 – KOHALA 0
Another outing became another rout for the Warriors’ baseball team — which obliterated Kohala High 23-0 in a three-inning BIIF DII matchup.
In less than a month of play, KSH has obtained a 5-0 overall record, 3-0 BIIF DII play record and outscored the competiton 68-3 — ending all but one game early via mercy rule.
Kohala’s defense had a very tough day, giving up all but eight runs unearned.
KSH ran through its batting order twice in the bottom of the first inning — during which Kaohu Kawelu hit a double and a two-run triple, Liwai Correa hit a three-run triple, Noah Palea hit a two-run triple and Elijah Okano hit a two-run double.
Keyan Kanahele pitched all three frames for KSH, surrendering no hits, striking out seven of 11 batters faced and throwing 35 strikes and 19 balls — all while giving up just two walks.
Next up, KS-Hawai‘i will face off against Pahoa High on Thursday at Walter Victor Baseball Complex in Hilo.
Kohala is now 0-3, and will look to try for its first win on Tuesday at home against Ka‘u High (2-1).
SOFTBALL: WAIAKEA 14 – KONA 1
Waiakea softball collected 16 hits in its 14-1 rout of Konawaena on Saturday.
The Warriors had a third-inning burst in the afternoon rout, scoring eight runs at the top of the frame. The Wildcats recorded 11 total errors, leaving Waiakea to advance across the diamond often.
Waiakea had five batters record at least two hits — Kaelyn Sewake, Keani Kaneshiro, Meghan Spencer, Tehani Chinen and Jhayda Rose Turner. Jayda Kaimi and Leia Tavares-Turalde also earned a base hit each.
Kaitlyn Miura was the winning pitcher in the circle for the Warriors, going five innings and allowing just two hits with four strikeouts.
On Kona’s side, Jamaica Moses and Alexa Tayamen were the only batters in the lineup who produced hits — collecting one apiece. Leilani Lebrun-Ward pitched in the circle for the Wildcats.
Waiakea (3-0-0) has had a strong start to its season, scoring 50 runs in its first three games and mercy-ruling its opponents in two of them. The Warriors will look to keep it going against Honoka‘a at 1 p.m. this afternoon in Hilo.
Konawaena (0-2-0) will seek redemption against local rival Kealakehe at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Waveriders’ home field.
BASEBALL: WAIAKEA 4 – KONA 3
Down 3-2 entering the seventh inning, Waiakea baseball responded with two runs in the seventh and eighth to escape Konawaena on Saturday.
The Warriors notched eight hits to the Wildcats’ seven. Ivor Brooks, Isaiah Justo, Kaleb Wada, Gavin Nishida, Boston Kobayashi, Kalama Ulibas and Teysen Tamiya all earned base hits for Waiakea. Kaleb Wada was awarded the winning pitcher — throwing two innings and allowing no runs to close the afternoon. The Warriors went to three other pitchers.
On the Wildcats’ side, Maika Akamu and Kainoa Lorenzo led the way with two hits apiece. Hayden Nishida, Kolt Baptista and Kainoa Smith also reached base with one hit each. Kona went through four pitchers — Koa Nakagawa, Amafala Marquard, K. Fukunaga and Jaeden Meyer.
Starting the year at 2-0-0, Waiakea will look to build on its early success against Honoka‘a this afternoon immediately following the softball game. The Warriors will be at home.
Kona (0-2-0) will travel across town to play the Waveriders of Kealakehe at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Kailua-Kona.