KEAAU — Hilo High School’s varsity baseball team took a small trip to neighbor Keaau High School on Wednesday, and returned with a big win.
The Vikings won 17-1 — boosted by a gargantuan, 12-run first inning.
Hilo’s leadoff and two-hole batters — sophomore Kameron Agpalza and junior Legend Lancaster — each singled, then were sent home by a deep left triple from senior Devin Saltiban.
Sophomore Journey Leialoha batted Saltiban in with a double, then was sent across the plate by a double from senior pitcher Makenna Wakakuwa. Sophomore Boston Kobayashi was put in as a courtesy runner for Wakakuwa, then promptly took advantage of a catcher error —stealing third.
Freshman Cole Hatayama stepped up to the plate next and was walked, stealing second soon after.
Senior Dylan Villanueva singled, batting in Kobayashi — then freshman Koa Marzo hit a two-RBI triple, stealing home once the next batter took the plate.
The next two Hilo batters flew out, but the Vikings still managed to notch four more runs before the end of the inning.
Wakakuwa took the mound and quickly ended the inning, striking out all three of the Cougars’ first batters.
Keaau saw more defensive success in the second inning, catching two fly balls and a line while allowing just one run.
Hilo’s defense ended the second inning just as quickly as the first. Lancaster stepped up to the mound and struck out two batters after Keaau’s first batter hit a groundout.
Hilo scored another four runs in the third inning, before junior pitcher Chanstin Uahinui-Vagal ended the inning with the Cougars’ first strikeout of the game.
In the bottom third, the Vikings recorded their third consecutive three-and-out inning — with Saltiban on the hill striking out two batters and one batter lining out.
Hilo added one last run in the top fourth, and Keaau junior Robert Lucas Medeiros notched another strikeout for the Cougars.
Keaau got its first run with one out in the bottom fourth, then the game was called after two more batters were put out by a double play from second to third to first.
The Vikings, now 3-0, will host their next game on Wednesday against Waiakea High.
“So far, so good.” said Hilo head coach Baba Lancaster. “Our next game will be our big test.”
The Cougars will travel this afternoon to Kamehameha Schools Hawaii for their next outing.
