Mikayla Kekoa dominated in the pitching circle and at the plate to send Kohala into the semifinals at the HHSAA Division II on Maui.
The Cowgirls scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning to slip past Kapaa 7-6 on Thursday in the quarterfinals at Kahului’s Patsy Mink field.
“It is a good feeling, I’m not going to lie,” Kohala head coach Terrance Alcoran told West Hawaii Today. “I am excited, the girls are excited, hopefully we will do well.”
Kekoa went the distance for the win. She fired a four-hitter, allowed six runs (two earned), walked four and struck out 15.
She batted 3 for 3 with three RBIs, including a solo homer and driving in the tying run with an RBI double.
“Her fastball was really working well for her against Kapaa. They never hit the ball hard,” Alcoran said. “If she had cut down her walks and we played better defense behind her, then they probably would have never scored.”
Laila Caravalho went 1 for 2 with two RBIs, driving in the go-ahead run with an RBI groundout in the seventh. Kayla Juan-Kealoha batted 2 for 4 with an RBI.
In the seventh, Plia’i Kaai walked with one out, Kekoa doubled to left field to make its 6-6, and Caravalho later had an RBI groundout for the go-ahead run.
Seijia Makanani went four innings in relief and took the loss.
Kohala (13-6) plays No. 2 Waialua (10-3) in the semifinals at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
“They pretty much look like the same team,” Alcoran said. “I believe we can beat them again this year too.”
Kamehameha 9, Waimea 2: Broke Baptiste pitched an eight-hit complete game to help the Warriors reach the semifinals.
She allowed four walks and struck out seven and batted 1 for 3 with an RBI.
Leiloa Bustamante batted 1 for 3 withh three RBIs, and Dioni Lincoln went 2 for 3 with an RBI for No. 1 seed Kamehameha (19-0), which plays defending state champion Saint Francis in the semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday.
It’ll be a rematch of last year’s state championship. The Saints won 10-0 in a five-inning TKO contest.
No. 4 Saint Francis whipped Radford 12-1 in five innings in a quarterfinal gaem.
Shayla Grace, who transferred from Konawaena, pitched one inning and whiffed three in relief.
It’s the last year for Saint Francis, which will shut down after the season.
Waialua 12, Honokaa 6: The Bulldogs scored 10 runs in the sixth inning to topple the Dragons (12-7), who play a consolation game against Kapaa at noon.
Tehani Epenesa pitched 5 1/3 innings in the loss and allowed 11 runs on nine hits and five walks. Alexis Martinez recorded two outs and gave up a run.
Ceelyn Gali-Lucero batted 2 for 3 with an RBI and Epenesa had two RBIs to lead Honokaa.
Anela Hernandez and Irmgard Jose-Woods each drove in three runs for Waialua (10-3).
Division I
Iolani blanked No. 4 seed Kealakehe 11-0 in a five-inning TKO game at Rainbow Wahine Stadium on Oahu, behind Allie Capello’s one-hitter.
Mia Joaquin singled for the Waveriders (11-7). Telsa Taketa took the loss in four innings. Joaquin pitched an inning and gave up three runs.
Kealakehe committed four errors, which led to four unearned runs.
Aleia Agbayani batted 3 for 4 with two homers to lead the Raiders (17-5).
Kealakehe plays Baldwin in a consolation game at 6 p.m. Friday.
Water polo
No. 4 Kamehameha–Hawaii defeated Kahuku 9-8 in the quarterfinals at Kamehameha-Kapalama’s campus.
Ocean Akau scored four goals, Nani Spaar two, and Emma Kanoa, Noe’ula Lindsey, and Aubrey Carter had one each for Kamehameha.
The Warriors (15-0) play Punahou (12-0), the 11-time state champion, in the semifinals at 7 p.m. Friday.
Kaiser thumped Hawaii 9-3, behind Erin Patterson’s three goals. Sarah Lorenzo, Taylor Kuroiwa, Megan Kaneshiro, and Raina Chung, and Mina Hanada combined for six goals.
Jenna Perry scored two goals and Morgan Davis had one for Ka Makani, who play Baldwin in a consolation match at 3:15 p.m. Friday.
Volleyball
Punahou, the seven-time state champion, swept No. 3 seed Kamehameha-Hawaii 25-6, 25-14, 25-19 at Radford High’s gym on Oahu.
Kamau Maka’ike had eight kills, and Chase Bridges-Hunter and Blake Baclig had four each for the Warriors (14-2), who hit .085.
Jack Deuchar slammed 12 kills and Jakob Kimura had nine kills for the Buffanblu (14-4), who hit .500.
Kamehameha plays Mililani in a consolation match at 6:30 p.m. Friday.
No. 1 Iolani swept BIIF runner-up Hilo
Division II
Seabury Hall defeated Makua Lani 25-21, 25-18, 25-27, 25-18 at Saint Francis gym.
Kapaa swept Hawaii Prep 25-19 25-21, 25-19 at Kalani High’s gym.
Umi Kealoha and Kala Thurston each had six kills to lead Ka Makani, which hit .076.
HPA plays a consolation match at 6:30 p.m. Friday.