KAILUA-KONA — Kealakehe waited most of the day for the perfect wave of momentum to catch. When it came, they rode it all the way to victory.
KAILUA-KONA — Kealakehe waited most of the day for the perfect wave of momentum to catch. When it came, they rode it all the way to victory.
The opportunistic Waveriders used a four-run, sixth inning rally to topple the Vikings 9-6 and take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three BIIF Division I semifinal series.
First-year Kealakehe head coach Loni Mercado admits she can sound like a broken record preaching to her squad to stay calm, cool and collected in the face of adversity, but her persistence paid off.
“We always talk about persevering, no matter the circumstance,” Mercado said. “We talk about it so much, but that has been the theme for us in these tight games. I’m so proud of these girls stepping up.”
Kitara Cantiberos pitched a complete game victory, striking out three and allowing just two earned runs.
There has been a Cantiberos on the mound for Kealakehe most of the season. However, it has usually been Kitara’s older sister, Kiara Cantiberos, inside the circle, but she is out with an injury.
Just a freshman, Kitara Cantiberos doesn’t have the experience of her older sibling, but showed off similar poise through the seven-inning affair.
“I just try to have fun out there,” Kitara Cantiberos said. “I’m proud of my defense. They really backed me up today.”
Leading that defensive unit was four-year starter Tavian Taketa. The senior shortstop was all over the field, making big plays with her glove and arm.
However, it was a mishap by Taketa that sparked a bizarre series of events in the game-changing sixth inning.
With one out, Taketa registered the second out, but dropped the ball off in the pitching circle thinking the top half of the inning was over. It couldn’t have turned into a better misdirection.
The Hilo runner on third took a second to recognize what was going on, but tried to advance home. Kealakehe recovered and got the out, officially putting an end to the inning with a double play.
“I thought I heard my dugout say two outs before the play,” Taketa said with a smile. “It ended up working out.”
The bottom of the sixth wasn’t any less interesting. The first two runs of the rally were scored after the Kealakehe base runners forced themselves into a giant pickle between second and home. An error on the throw allowed both to score, giving the Waveriders a 7-6 edge. Brei McLeod — who finished the game 4 for 4 with 3 RBIs — nailed a deep shot to the wall to drive in the eighth run, and a sac-fly by Brittney Keaunui padded the lead further.
Mercado said the sandlot-style plays were not necessarily by design, but did note that staying on their toes has been a forte of her Waveriders this season.
“We have some chaotic practices and try to put them in situations like that,” Mercado said. “Tavian is always out here pushing her teammates though. She’s been great for us.”
Zoe Cabarloc took the complete game loss for Hilo, allowing 13 hits, walking just one batter. Cabarloc and Moana Pinner each had a pair of RBIs for the Vikings.
The Waveriders get some breathing room heading into Game 2 on Saturday, but won’t get too comfortable.
“Hilo brings it, and Zoe (Cabarloc) is always throwing some nasty changeups,” Mercado said, commending the effort of the Hilo hurler. “We will have to prepare for that. No time to slack heading into Saturday.”
Waiakea 15, Keaau 0: Skylar Thomas had a day to remember in a four-inning TKO semifinal, going 2 for 3 with six RBIs.
She blasted a two-run double and also clubbed a grand slam for the Warriors (12-2). Brandee Chinen went 2 for 4 with fourRBIs.
Kristi Hirata started and pitched two perfect innings with three strikeouts for the win. Alyssa Hara finished with two inningsof one-hit relief with two strikeouts.
Caitlyn Calhoun went the distance in the loss for the Cougars (3-11).
Keaau 000 0 — 0 1 3
Waiakea 444 3 — 15 9 0