The Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) softball and baseball seasons continued over the weekend across the isle, with many squads reaching the midway point of their regular season slates.
KS-HAWAI‘I 18 – HONOKA‘A 3
An 11-run surge in the bottom fourth inning propelled the Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i softball team to a run-rule victory over Honoka‘a High on Saturday in Puna.
The game looked close at first, as the Warriors and Dragons entered the second inning tied 3-3. It was three up, three down for Honoka‘a in the top second as Emily Hora struck them all out. With two outs on the board in the bottom frame, Rebekah Sipinga drove in two runs — tripling on a hard grounder to left field.
From then on, KSH stayed in the driver’s seat.
Kaohinani Christensen led the Warriors at the plate, going three-for-three with three RBIs and three runs — also stealing three bases. Kailee Wagner also went three-for-three to score two runs and drive in three. Hora and Rhian Ogawa each went two-for-three.
Danica Valera and Ka‘imi Johnson led Honoka‘a — each going one-for-two and each hitting doubles.
The Warriors are riding a four-win streak at 4-2. Their next matchup will be a tough one, facing Division I’s Waiakea High on Friday afternoon in Hilo.
The loss to KSH extended the Dragons’ losing streak to three games, and dropped their record to 2-4. Honoka‘a will be back at it on Monday in a Division II road test against Kohala High (1-4).
KONAWAENA 11 – KEA‘AU 0
Konawaena High shut out Kea‘au High, moving to 2-4. Next up, the Wildcats will return to the east side to play Hilo High (4-1) on Saturday.
Now 1-3, the Cougars’ next outing will be Saturday at Honoka‘a.
Baseball
WAIAKEA 4 – KEALAKEHE 3
Waiakea baseball escaped Kealakehe 4-3 on Friday afternoon in Kailua-Kona, improving to 5-1-0 in 2024 after dropping its first game of the year on Wednesday against Hilo. The Waveriders dropped to 2-6-0.
The Warriors’ next matchup will be against BIIF Division II powerhouse KS-Hawai‘i, who is unbeaten thus far during the season. The game will be at 3 p.m. Friday at Waiakea’s home field in Hilo.
Kealakehe has lost five straight, and will try to right the ship against Ka‘u at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Kailua-Kona.
HILO 11 – HPA 0
Rory Crabbe, Jaydon Geraci and Nathaniel Freeman combined for a no-hitter as Hilo High blanked Hawaii Prep 11-0 in a five-inning TKO on Saturday in Hilo.
The Vikings remained undefeated and advanced to a 6-0 record.
Kainalu Crivello led Hilo at the plate, going two-for-two with an RBI. Legend Lancaster doubled to drive in two runs in his one at-bat.
Ka Makani slumped to 1-4. HPA’s next outing will be Tuesday at Konawaena.
The Vikings will return to action on Saturday, April 6 in their sixth straight home game, also facing Konawaena.
KS-HAWAI‘I 9 – HONOKA‘A 1
At this point, the real question is; who can stop the Warriors?
The KS-Hawai‘i baseball team rolled to 8-0 after a 9-1 rout of Honoka‘a High on Saturday in Puna, closing out BIIF DII play undefeated and officially securing the No. 1 BIIF DII tourney seed.
The Dragons, however, did not walk away without any highlights — as Heolu Bertelmann-Makanani tripled on a line drive to center field. Then, Kamahao Kanekoa batted him in before grounding out for HHIS’ lone run. Issac DeRego led Honoka‘a at the plate, going two-for-three.
Braden Gomes went three-for-four to lead KSH at the plate. Shiloh Santos earned the win on the mound, surrendering no runs on four hits in three innings.
The Warriors will truly be put to the test in their final two regular season outings — Friday at Waiakea for WHS’ senior night, and at home against Hilo the following week.
Honoka‘a fell to 1-5, but will look to add a win on Monday at Kohala High (1-4).
KONAWAENA 10 – KEA‘AU 0
The Wildcats baseball team notched their fourth straight win, dominating Kea‘au High 10-0 in a six-inning TKO.
Jaeden Meyers went two-for-three at the plate to lead Konawaena with two RBIs, and Kawika Fukunaga pitched a no-hitter with a whopping 11 strikeouts.
The Wildcats will look to make it five wins on Tuesday as they face HPA.
The Cougars remained winless at 0-4, and will look to change that at their Saturday, April 6 matchup against Honoka‘a.