KAILUA-KONA — The Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Division I and II softball semifinal playoffs continued Wednesday afternoon across the isle, with all of the winning teams advancing to the championship round — which starts early next month.
KEALAKEHE 13, KEA‘AU 2
The undefeated Waveriders moved to an 11-0 record, defeating Kea‘au High by double digits for the second day in a row to confirm their championship series berth.
Next, Kealakehe will make its first BIIF DI championship appearance since its title victory in 2022. However, things have changed since then, as the BIIF moved from a single-game format to the best-of-three series format.
The ‘Riders will look to repeat the success that they found in their last matchup with Waiakea in late March, during which Kealakehe staved off the Warriors to win 6-3.
Kea‘au will pack it up with a 2-9 overall record. Despite struggling against DI opponents this season, the Cougars managed a couple of routs — defeating Ka‘u 16-0 and Pahoa 15-5.
KOHALA 17, HONOKA‘A 5
Thanks to 16 total hits, No. 2 Kohala softball run-ruled No. 3 Honoka‘a for the second straight match in Game 2 of the BIIF semifinals at the Dragons’ home field by a score of 17-5 through five innings. The Cowgirls will now advance to the DII championship series.
Kohala was led by center fielder Sydney Marquez, who posted a game-high four hits. Teammate Kalia Marquez also logged three hits, while left fielder Mahea Pang and third baseman Kaneesha Santiago added two each. The remainder of the Cowgirls hits were notched by shortstop Kailani Valenzuela, first baseman Faith Alejandro-Cazimero, second baseman Camille Fuertes, catcher Savannah Kupukaa and right fielder Daysha Tayan — who all logged one apiece.
Kohala scored one run in the first inning, six in the third and exploded for 10 in the fifth — officially cementing the mercy rule.
Kalia Marquez pitched in the circle for the Cowgirls, going five innings while striking out six in the win.
The Dragons notched nine hits, which was led by first baseman Star Peters, who had two. The rest of their hits came from centerfielder Brandi Hoopai, shortstop Kaimi Johnson, pitcher Kayliah Kauahi, catcher Kanai Tolentino, right fielder Danica Valera, third baseman Keira Agdeppa and second baseman Pualena Lange — who all posted one each.
Kauahi was Honoka‘a’s lone pitcher, going all five innings.
Kohala will enjoy some time off before next facing No. 1 seed Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i in the championship on May 3 at the Warriors’ campus in Kea‘au.
WAIAKEA 19, HILO 0
The Warriors dealt their cross-town rivals a second, even more painful rout than the first — blanking the Vikings 19-0 in a four-inning affair to secure their second straight trip to the BIIF DI finals.
In the series, WHS outscored HHS 32-2.
Hilo’s defense struggled on Wednesday, surrendering 18 walks and gifting the Warriors a stack of unearned runs.
The Warriors flexed their depth on the mound, as sophomore Meghan Spencer started in the circle and nearly tossed a no-hitter — giving up one hit and three walks while striking out a whopping ten batters. She also came within view of an immaculate inning, throwing six balls and nine strikes to strike out Hilo’s first three batters in the third inning.
After winning the BIIF DI title on the road on the Kona side last year, the Warriors will have a chance this year to defend it on their home field — sort of.
Waiakea and Kealakehe will play at UH-Hilo’s softball field, which is within throwing distance from the WHS campus.
KSH 18, KONA 7
Kamehameha Schools-Hawai‘i softball run-ruled Konawaena for the second straight afternoon to advance to the championship series against Kohala. The Warriors won convincingly — 18-7 through five innings at Arthur L. Greenwell Park.
West Hawaii Today was unable to obtain the official stat book for the game by Wednesday evening, April 24.
Starting the year 0-2, KS-Hawai‘i has now won nine straight — outscoring opponents 137-27. In the last two playoff games alone, the Warriors have logged 38 runs.
KSH will look to keep riding their hot streak against Kohala in the championship. Game 1 is slated for May 3 at the Kamehameha campus.
