HILO — Hilo High School’s varsity softball team defeated Waiakea High School in a bottom seventh inning comeback, winning 12-11 on Wednesday evening at Walter Victor Baseball Complex.
Though the contest would eventually erupt with high-scoring intensity, it began slowly and scoreless.
Waiakea leadoff Madisen Kodani singled, but was left on base when WHS’ second, third and fifth batters flew out. Those flyouts were caught by Hilo’s Mackenzie Valentin, Hope Barclay and Lei Soller.
The Vikings suffered an even shorter bottom first. The Warriors’ starting pitcher Kaitlyn Miura struck out the leadoff, then passed to first-baseman Tehani Chinen to put out the two-hole. The third batter then flew out to Chinen.
Waiakea gained a 1-0 lead in the top second. Lexi Santiago singled, then reached second on an error at first, where the following batter was put out. Hilo starting pitcher Kuuipo Kalipi notched a strikeout, then Miura singled. Kodani singled, sending Santiago home. The inning ended when the next batter flew out to first-baseman Kira Alameda.
Hilo suffered another short inning in the bottom second. Miura was nothing but precise, striking out three consecutive batters.
In the top third, the Warriors could not recreate the success of their last turn in the box. The first three batters all hit flies, which were caught by Alameda at first and Barclay and Soller in the outfield.
The Vikings obtained a 2-1 lead in the bottom third. Barclay and Mya-Lisa Justo led off with singles, and worked their way around the diamond on stolen bases, errors and flies. Miura got another strikeout, and Hilo’s sixth batter flew out to Keani Kaneshiro in the outfield, leaving a runner on second.
In the top fourth, Waiakea’s first two batters were both put out by passes to Alameda by Kalipi and shortstop Dahlia Gangano. The Warriors kept the inning alive by staying disciplined at the plate, with four consecutive batters walking and Darci-lyn Kaina crossing the plate. Possession changed when a flyout to Soller left three on base.
The score was tied 2-2 as Hilo stepped up to bat in the bottom fourth, but it was dealt a short and baseless turn. The first batter flew out to Kaneshiro, the next was put out at first by a pass from Miura, then Miura struck out the third.
Waiakea regained a one-point lead in the top fifth. Chinen singled, then worked around the diamond on steals and flies. Soller caught two more flies.
In the bottom of the inning, Hilo did not manage to put up any points. Miura notched two more strikeouts, then a runner was put out while attempting to steal second.
The Warriors expanded their lead to 7-2 in the top sixth, with runs scored by Kaina, Miura, Kodani and Kaylee Aiona.
Gangano, Soller and Kiana Agpalza each scored runs for the Vikings in the bottom of the inning, bringing the score to 7-5 entering the seventh.
Waiakea’s top seventh performance set a high bar for Hilo to meet. Santiago led off and walked, then Kerri Fernandez and Kaina each reached first on errors to load the bases. Miura singled, batting in Santiago — then Fernandez and Kaina were sent home by Kedani and Kaneshiro, respectively. Miura scored during a flyout to Justo, which was the second out — then a flyout to Gangano ended the top seventh with WHS ahead 11-7.
The pressure was on in the bottom seventh, and the Vikings delivered. After Hilo scored one run, a flyout and a strikeout put the Warriors in position to end the game. Kalipi stepped into the box with the bases loaded, and with two strikes on her, fouled twice before hitting a deep-right, bases-clearing triple to tie the game. Agustin was next at bat, and walked after a full count. Next, Agpalza walked to load the bases again, and Valentin went strikeless for a walk-off walk.
Barclay went one-for-two with two walks to lead Hilo at the plate.
Miura went two-for-two with two walks, scoring two runs to lead Waiakea at bat.
The Warriors will have a chance to rebound from the devastating loss when they host Konawaena High School today at 1 p.m.
