KAILUA-KONA — Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) baseball and softball games continued over the weekend across the island. Saturday’s bout between Hilo and Kealakehe softball was cancelled with a make-up date to be announced. Games will resume this afternoon, starting with Kealakehe at Honoka‘a softball and Ka‘u softball at Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i at 1 p.m.
HILO 5, KEALAKEHE 2
Hilo High’s baseball team recovered from an early deficit to defeat Kealakehe High 5-2 on Saturday afternoon at Francis Wong Stadium in Hilo.
After two scoreless frames in the first inning, the Waveriders made a statement in the second inning by plating a run in the top frame and keeping Hilo off base in the bottom.
Kealakehe’s run came with two outs on the board, as Zakai Kramer singled to bat in pitcher Rome Joaquin, who had also reached on a single.
The third inning was the most definitive for Hilo. The Vikings quickly pulled the Waveriders from the dugout in the top frame, including a double-play in which a runner was caught short of second and another was put out at first.
Things were shakey for Hilo during the bottom frame, as Logan Schlueter reached on a HBP but the next two batters grounded out. Kamren Agplaza walked to first — then came Legend Lancaster, who batted both runners in with a double to right field. Soon after, Dylan Villanueva batted in Lancaster.
Kealakehe’s next run was scored in the top fifth, when Kaden Telles singled to bat in Kramer.
The Vikings stayed consistent, scoring in the bottom fifth and sixth. First, Robert Winter singled to bat in Agpalza — then Lancaster hit a sacrifice fly for another RBI.
After Winter spent just over an inning on the mound, Keean Ogawa took over to close out the game —fanning two batters and inducing a groundout while allowing none on base.
Telles led the Waveriders at the plate, going two-for-three with an RBI and no strikeouts. Agpalza went three-for-three with a walk to lead Hilo.
The Vikings rolled to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in BIIF Division I. The ‘big game’ — Hilo’s regular-season rivalry matchup against Waiakea High (4-0) — will be 6 p.m. Wednesday at Wong Stadium.
Kealakehe fell to 2-4, but the close game against Hilo bodes well for the Waveriders and their postseason. Next up, Kealakehe will play another road match — Tuesday at Honoka‘a High (0-4).
KONAWAENA 5, HONOKA‘A 1
The Wildcats won their second straight matchup, extending the the Dragons’ skid to four games as Konawaena defeated Honoka‘a 5-1 on Saturday afternoon in Hamakua.
Konawaena plated four runs in the third inning to jump to 4-0 — as Kainoa Lorenzo hit a two-run homer to left field, then Hayden Nishida and Jaeden Meyers each singled to bat in two more runs.
Honoka‘a had its own homer in the bottom fifth — hit solo over center field by Gabe Key.
The Wildcats plated one more run in the top of the seventh when Nishida doubled to bat in AJ Blanco.
Koa Nakagawa earned the win on the mound for the Wildcats, surrendering one earned run on eight hits and three walks in seven innins, striking out two.
Nishida led Konawaena with a perfect on-base percentage, going three-for-three with a walk and two RBIs.
He‘olu Bertleman-Makani went three-for-three to lead the Dragons at the plate.
Now 0-4 overall and 0-2 in BIIF DII, the Dragons will look to end their skid in their next matchup — Tuesday against Kealakehe.
Konawaena improved to 2-2, and will look to exceed .500 after playing Pahoa High (2-2) at home on Thursday.
WAIAKEA 17, KOHALA 0
Following the softball team’s rout over the Cowgirls, Waiakea’s baseball team did the same — blanking Kohala 17-0.
The Warriors will next play Hilo at 6 p.m. Wednesday for a crosstown matchup at Wong Stadium. The Cowboys will travel to Waimea to face the Ka Makani of Hawaii Prep at 3 p.m. Wednesday on the road.
WAIAKEA 15, KOHALA 5
To add to its already dominant start to 2024, Waiakea softball won in dominant fashion once again — routing Kohala 15-5 on Friday in Kapaau. The Warriors registered 15 hits to the Cowgirls’ five.
Five Waiakea batters notched at least two hits — Keani Kaneshiro, Lexi Santiago, Meghan Spencer, Jayda Kaimi and Jhayda Rose Turner. Kaneshiro also logged the only home run of the outing.
Kaelyn Sewake, Enea Luther and Kaitlyn Miura also had one hit apiece.
Spencer was additionally the game’s winning pitcher — going five innings in the circle and allowing three earned runs with five strikeouts.
On Kohala’s side, Camille Fuertes and Mahea Pang led the way with two hits each. Teammate Savannah Kupukaa also had one. Kalia Marquez was the Cowgirls’ pitcher, going five innings.
Through the first five games of the regular season slate, the Warriors (5-0-0) have outscored opponents 78-9. They’ll look to keep their dominance going against unbeaten Hilo at 3 p.m. Wednesday at home. Kohala (1-4-0), who has lost four straight, will try to bounce back against Honoka‘a at 1 p.m. April 1 in Kapaau.
HONOKA‘A 14, KONAWAENA 5
Despite a game-tying, four-run effort in the top of the second inning, Konawaena High’s softball team couldn’t keep up with Honoka‘a — as the Dragons won 14-5 on Saturday morning in Honoka‘a.
Kanai Tolentino had a monster day at the plate — leading the Dragons with four RBIs, going two-for-four while hitting a double and a triple.
Konawaena was led by Jerzie Lopez, who hit a three-run triple on a line drive to right field.
Next up, the Dragons will face Division I powerhouse Kealakehe on Tuesday at home.
Konawaena entered a 0-4 slump, which it will look to exit at its Thursday matchup against Pahoa.
