KAILUA-KONA — The Central Pacific Bank/Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Division I and Division II softball playoff semifinals began on Tuesday as high seeds hosted low seeds to start their best-of-three series.
There were no upsets, and plenty of blowouts to go around.
KEALAKEHE 12, KEA‘AU 2
To almost no one’s surprise, Kealakehe softball opened postseason play with a convincing 12-2 win over Kea‘au in Game 1 of BIIF softball semifinals Tuesday afternoon in Kailua-Kona.
The Waveriders found themselves in a 1-0 hole after the Cougars’ Reyna Pettypool homered at the top of the first inning, but it was all smooth sailing after that. Kealakehe got on the board in the bottom of the third inning and piled it on from there — run-ruling Kea‘au by the fifth inning, when the game was officially called.
The ‘Riders produced nine hits the Kea‘au’s two. Rihanna Joaquin and Freeda Tosie logged two hits apiece to lead the blue and white, while teammates Malia Polimino, Caitlyn Nakamura, Kelsie Clarke and Saige Telles had one each. Nakamura also pitched in the circle, going five innings while striking out seven.
On the Cougars side, Pettypool produced all of the team’s hits. Tiani Kaupu pitched for the red and black, going 4.6 innings.
It was Kealakehe’s sixth run rule of the season and fourth in a row. The ‘Riders have been tearing opponents up all season with their high-flying offense, averaging 14.1 runs per match. With just one win away from advancing to the championship stage, Kealakehe will look to close out the series today at 3 p.m. in Kea‘au for Game 2.
WAIAKEA 13 – HILO 2
Jayda Kaimi’s two-run, walk-off homer put a cap on a lopsided, six inning affair as No. 2 Waiakea High routed No. 3 Hilo High in the BIIF DI semifinals.
The Warriors got off to a good start, plating five runs in the bottom of the first inning. Hilo managed some highlights and kept Waiakea from scoring during two frames, but the Warriors took advantage of just about every slip-up to run up their score. WHS won the error battle, comitting just one while Hilo made six.
Pitcher Kaitlyn Miura made an impact for Waiakea on both defense and offense, going three-for-four at the plate and handling business on the mound for all six innings — giving up one earned run on a hit and eight walks while striking out five. She also clutched up when needed, stranding three runners to end the top of the second inning and two in the top fifth.
Hilo’s lone hit was fielded by Makenzie Valentin during the top fifth frame — and Jayla Bettis drove in a run on a sacrifice fly.
Though it was a bad way for Hilo to start the tournament, the Vikings aren’t done. Hilo and Waiakea will clash again at 3 p.m. today at Walter Victor Baseball Complex across town.
If the Warriors win today, the defending BIIF DI champions will make their second straight title series appearance and state playoff run. If Hilo wins, a tiebreaker game will be played Thursday afternoon at Waiakea.
KOHALA 15, HONOKA‘A 5
Kohala softball got off on the right foot in its opening match of the BIIF playoffs with a 15-5 run-rule victory over division rival Honoka‘a on Tuesday in Kapaau. The game lasted six brief innings.
Over the last two games, the Cowgirls have scored 43 runs. They’ve run-ruled their opponents thrice.
With a 1-0 series lead in the best-of-three bout, Kohala will look to advance today in Game 2 against the Dragons — slated for 3 p.m. in Honoka‘a. Please see the paper later this week for results.
KS-HAWAII 20 – KONAWAENA 2
No. 1 Kamehameha Schools – Hawaii crushed visiting No. 4 Konawaena High to take a 1-0 lead in the pair’s BIIF DII semifinal series on Tuesday in Puna.
The game lasted a brief four innings, during which the Warriors hammered the Wildcats — driving in six runs in the first inning, eight in the second and six more in the third.
The win advanced KSH’s win streak to eight games as the Warriors eye a repeat BIIF DII title.
Konawaena will look to fair better during the pair’s next matchup — which will take place at 3 p.m. today on the Wildcats’ home field. If KSH wins again, it’s on to the finals. If Konawaena manages a comeback, the pair will return to Kea‘au for a tiebreaker on Thursday.