When Konawaena’s girls softball team was last seen on the Big Island, it ripped its way to an HHSAA Division II tournament berth in the BIIF third place game.
When Konawaena’s girls softball team was last seen on the Big Island, it ripped its way to an HHSAA Division II tournament berth in the BIIF third place game.
A year later on opening day, the Wildcats picked up where they left off, pounding out 16 hits Thursday in a 19-8 victory against Pahoa in Kealakekua.
Freshman Andi Uemura enjoyed a 4-for-4 day with four RBIs in her BIIF debut, and Teizha Kaluna drove in four runs at the plate and struck out four in the circle to get the victory.
Konawaena scored eight runs in the second inning, highlighted by Sierra Amor’s two-run double, and tacked on five more in the third. With the bases loaded, Kaluna cracked the first of her two doubles.
The Daggers’ Faith Manuel-Kamakeeaina hit a two-run double and finished with four RBIs, but the Daggers were overmatched by Konawaena’s lineup.
Tiani Lastimosa was 3 for 4 with three RBIs, Kaimana Joy Manzano (2 for 2) scored three runs and drove in two, and Uemura’s two-run double ignited a six-run fourth inning to set up the TKO.
Tiana Kapumau worked three innings for Pahoa, and most of the 15 runs she allowed were unearned.
“She throws strikes but she’s not a hard thrower, and when (Konawaena) started hitting her our defense hurt us,” Pahoa coach Frank Degele said.
Kaluna walked two in the five-inning complete game.
Ema Tua and Kriya Benn each finished with two hits for Pahoa.
“They did OK,” Degele said. “We’re really, really young. They made some minor mistakes. There were some flyballs where nobody was there to catch up the ball.”
Hawaii Prep at Honokaa: The game was rained out and rescheduled for 3 p.m. Friday.