Waiakea scored at least two runs in each of the first four innings against the Wildcats at Konawaena High School on Saturday to pull away for six-inning TKO victory, 12-3, in BIIF softball.
Alize Ka’apana led the charge for Waiakea, going 3-for-5 with a three-run home run in the top of the first.
“I was just looking to get on base and I thought they would catch the ball,” Kaapana said. “I just try to do whatever the coach wants me to do. If he asks me to hit, I hit. If he wants me to bunt I bunt. Whatever he needs me to do, I do.”
Ziara Tosie and Kayla Kodani also had good days at the plate for Waiakea with two hits apiece, but while the offense was good, it was the defense that stood out the most for head coach Bo Saiki.
“They did their jobs,” Saiki said. “This was not like other days when they are making errors. They played defense today.”
Halee Sweat picked up the victory in the circle for the Warriors. She threw all six innings, allowing three earned runs off seven walks and two hits. She struck out eight.
“I liked her change up today,” said Kaapana, who was catching. “She is, hands down, good.”
Erin Kaimuola-Bates picked up the loss after 3 2/3 innings for Konawaena, allowing 12 runs, 11 earned, off 13 hits. She walked four and struck out two. Andi Uemura threw the final 2 1/3 innings, allowing two unearned runs and no hits. She walked two and struck out two.
Waiakea (8-1) has now won six straight games after having their 42-game league winning streak snapped by Kohala at the beginning of the month.
Next up for the Warriors is a game with Hilo on Monday. The Wildcats (4-6) will travel to Honokaa on Monday.
Hilo 15, Keaau 5: Chalisse Kela struck out nine in the five-inning TKO, allowing six hits, and Angelina Wright hit a home run and went 2 for 4 for the Vikings (3-5) in a home win.
Robi DeMotta collected three hits for Hilo, Kela was 2 for 4 with a triple, and Cassidy Ka’aua and Alexus Wilson also had two hits apiece.
Honokaa 16, Ka’u 2: Destynee Carvalho and Alexis Martinez each connected for two doubles and Tehani Epenesa struck out six in a five-inning TKO in Pahala.
Of the Dragons’ 13 hits, seven went for two bases. Kierra Molina went 3 for 3 with a double, three runs scored and three RBIs and Natasha Molina and Waiehu Kauahi-Raquel also doubled in runs.
Carvalho had three hits with three runs scored, and Natasha Molina and Martinez had two hits apiece. Martinez and Anna Kim each scored three runs.
Epenesa allowed two runs on four hits and two walks.
Cece Silva-Kamei pitched three innings in the loss for the Trojans and Shailani Vierra worked two. Kaiao Emmsley had two hits.
Kealakehe 15, Pahoa 3: Kealakehe pounded Pahoa with nine runs in the first two innings to coast to a TKO victory against the Daggers.
Kaylyn “Bu” Villanueva led the way for the Waveriders with a trio of RBIs, and Telsea Taketa, Nanea Kaluau, Kenye Palik, Lucky Isisaki and Bailey Busto-Beaudet each had a pair. Palik went a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate.
Taketa picked up the win in the circle for Kealakehe, pitching three innings with five strikeouts, no walks and allowing just one hit. Mia Joaquin finished off the final two innings.
Zhy Che Fley, Hope Kamakeeaina and Nanea Kaawaloa scored runs for Pahoa. Staysia Hoomana took the loss.