WAIMEA – The Warriors of Waiakea weren’t the only opponent that gave Kealakehe a hard time Saturday afternoon.
Rain and wind were significant factors in the second contest of the 2022 season between the Waveriders and the Warriors: factors that took Kealakehe off their game early.
“Both sides were struggling with the weather, not just our team,” said Kealakehe coach Teizha Kaluna. “We worked through it, out by out.”
Heading into the bottom of the second, Kealakehe trailed 5-1. From that point on, however, it was all Waveriders. Kealakehe outscored Waiakea 17-3 the rest of the way to bring an end to the game, 18-8, after just five innings.
Mia Joaquin led the way for the Waveriders in the batter’s box and the circle. The senior struck out six batters in five innings of work to earn the win in addition to her three hits and three runs at the plate. After a shaky start – Waiakea’s first two runs came via bases-loaded walks – Joaquin settled in to keep the Warriors largely in check.
Matching Joaquin with three hits was Freeda Tosie. Tosie and Rhianna Joaquin led the team with two RBI apiece.
Kealakehe (3-0) will be back in action next Saturday, when they travel to square off against Hilo.
Hawaii Prep 16, Ka’u 0
Leading into Ka Makani’s game Saturday, catcher Kaila Kaahu may have been flying a bit under the radar.
No more.
Kaahu had a monster game in Hawaii Prep’s blowout victory over the visiting Trojans, recording two home runs – one of which was an inside-the-park home run – and a triple in her three at-bats.
“Kaila is one firecracker,” said coach Travis Bondallian. “She’s been capable of doing that all season.”
Kaahu’s hot bat contributed to an 11-run second inning for HPA, which allowed Ka Makani to quickly put away their opponent.
Brooke Samura earned the win in the circle, notching three strikeouts in three innings.
Despite the lopsided win, Bondallian insisted his team has plenty of room for improvement.
“We came out ahead, but we still didn’t play the game we want to play and should play; we lacked a little discipline today,” he said. “I think we’ll meet up against Kamehameha again in the playoffs; if we played the way we played today, the outcome would be different. We’ve got to fix some things.”
HPA (3-0) travels to Pahoa on Tuesday to take on the Daggers.
