KAILUA-KONA — Even fatigue hasn’t been able to slow down Kealakehe lately.
The Waveriders (5-1) reeled off an impressive 17-1 run-rule win over Keaau (1-4) in a four inning affair on a gorgeous Saturday at Old Kona Airport Park.
The game was the second contest on back-to-back days for the Waveriders, who also picked up a victory against Honokaa on Friday.
Kealakehe welcomed the sunny weather after battling rain the past few days, and played an energetic brand of ball for the duration of the game. Pitcher Kiara Cantiberos picked up her second win in as many days.
“It’s mental” Kealakehe head coach Loni Mercado said.
The first-year coach added that she pushes her team to understand what their abilities are. She wants them to start trusting in themselves and keep morale high, no matter the circumstance.
“Regardless of if we make mistakes, we have to keep the energy high. That is the only way,” Mercado said. “That is how to push through anything. Staying together as a team always leads to great results.”
Keaau is struggling to find its starting lineup, having bumped 10 JV players to varsity this season. The team is still trying to adjust to the higher speed of play.
Caitlyn Calhoun took the loss for Keaau. She pitched three innings, allowing 13 hits and 10 earned runs.
Pitcher Kiara Cantiberos picked up her second win in as many days. She struck out six, allowing just one earned run in four innings of work.
Multiple Waveriders had multi-RBI days, including Jami Tan (2), Leina’ala Pertubal (2) and Cantiberos (2).
Hilo 22, Konawaena 2: Samantha Saltiban, Moana Pinner and Gaylynn Ha each homered in Kealakekua as the Vikings busted out to end a two-game skid.
Saltiban paced Hilo’s 20-hit barrage with four hits, two for doubles, and five RBIs. The Vikings (3-3) scored 12 runs in the fourth as Saltiban stroked an RBI double and a two-run home run.
Zoe Cabarloc worked four innings for Hilo and yielded three hits and two walks with two strikeouts.
Teizha Kaluna homered and doubled with two RBIs for the Wildcats (5-3), and also took the loss in the circle.
Hilo banged out 13 extra-base hits. Cierra Kelii doubled twice and Pinner also tripled. Shalyn Guthier, Cabarloc and Ha also finished with two hits each. Chloie Aguiar added a three-run double.
Kaluna was touched for seven runs on six hits in 2 1.3 innings. She struck out one.
Kamehameha 15, Honokaa 0: Mykala Tokunaga struck out six in a two-hitter, and Brooke Baptiste was 2 for 3 with three RBIs and three runs scored as the host Warriors reeled off their eighth TKO in as many tries this season.
Tokunaga walked two in five innings and drove in two runs at the plate. Kiarra Lincoln, Taylor Sullivan and Makena Wagner each finished with two hits, and Sullivan and Wagner had two RBIs apiece.
Destynee Carvalho collected a double for Honokaa (4-4).
Keesha Matsuoka pitched 2 2/3 innings and allowed 11 hits and three walks with two strikeouts. Of the 11 runs she allowed, nine were earned.
Kohala 16, Pahoa 1: Mikayla Kekoa and Setsuko Kimura each hit two-run home runs in Kapaau, and the Cowgirls won their fourth game in a row.
Symphony Kauanoe and Kekoa each tripled and handled the pitching duties. Kauanoe struck out six and Kekoa fanned five.
Kaila Amaral cracked a three-run double for Kohala (5-2), and Kyrah Sol and Ryah Manning each added run-scoring doubles.
Jade Aiona pitched all three innings and took the loss for the Daggers (2-7). Tiana Kapumau reached on a hit by pitch and came around to score Pahoa’s run.
