BIIF baseball: Kealakehe downs Honokaa 2-1 in 11 innings

KAILUA-KONA —Nobody likes to work overtime on a Monday, but for the Waveriders, some early-week extra work paid off in a big way.

In the 11th inning, Kealakehe freshman Isaac Kaku scored Bolyndon Jim on a sacrifice fly as Kealakehe escaped a defensive battle against Honokaa 2-1.

“It was a long day at the park, but we battled it out,” Kealakehe head coach Josh Hansen said. “It could have gone either way. Both teams played some great baseball.”

Kaku also picked up the win on the mound, closing out the game with a few scoreless stanzas to wrap-up the eventful day for the freshman.

“He has a ton of upside,” Hansen said of Kaku. “That kid is a competitor. And he also takes care of things in the classroom, which makes him that much more special.”

Makana Kaluau didn’t get the decision for the Waveriders, but did a lot of the heavy lifting on the mound. He allowed just five hits in his eight innings of work, with the only run being unearned.

Tupu Toafili led the way for the Waveriders offensively on a day where offense was hard to come by. He went 3 for 5 with a triple and a run scored from the No. 2 spot in the order. Tehvyn Isabel had the other RBI for the ‘Riders, while Kalani Piltz slapped a double.

Benjamin Akau took the loss for Honokaa. He took over for Kelvin Falk, who tossed eight innings for the Dragons, allowing four hits.

“All game, both starting pitchers kept batters off balance,” Hansen said. “Just a fun game to watch.”

Coming off a pair of lopsided losses to Waiakea and Kamehameha-Hawaii — where the Waveriders were outscored a combined 22-2 — the win was a nice step in the right direction as the midpoint of the season nears.

“We have been looking for the consistency,” Hansen said. “They competed today and it’s a solid win heading into the next one.”

Kealakehe will look to make it two-in-a-row as they host Kohala on Wednesday. Honokaa hosts north Hawaii rival Hawaii Prep the same day.