KAPAAU — The Kamehameha Schools Hawaii varsity softball team won 13-4 over Kohala High School on Wednesday afternoon.
Though it seemed at first that they might be shut out in the top first, an explosive play put the Warriors on the board and set the tone for the rest of the game. KSH’s leadoff and two-hole were each put out at first — first by a pass from third-baseman Kailani Valenzuela to Sydney Marquez at first base, then from pitcher Jayla Kekoa to Marquez. Third-at-bat Kahiwaleinaniokealoha Ili then hit a solo homer to left field. Another putout from Kekoa to Maquez ended the top first and temporarily prevented any further damage.
The Cowgirls took the lead 2-1 in the bottom first. Valenzuela led with a single, then stole her way to third. After a strikeout by Emily Hora, Kekoa reached first on an error while Valenzuela scored. Kekoa also stole her way around the diamond, reaching home on a wild pitch. Hora struck out two more batters to end the inning.
In the top second, the Warriors could not regain their lead and were shutout. Kekoa struck out the first batter, then the second was tagged out trying to reach first when Kekoa recovered a grounder and passed to catcher Savannah Kupuka‘a. Kaiyana Troy and Kaohinani Christensen made it to first base, but were left when Kekoa assisted another putout at first.
Kohala increased its lead to 4-1 in the bottom second. Hora struck out the leading batter, but Megan Hoopai reached first on an error. Hora notched another strikeout, then Hoopai stole to third before being sent home by Valenzuela’s double. Valenzuela stole third and scored on a passed ball, then Hora struck out another batter to close out the frame.
KSH inched closer in the top third. Hora led with a single and made it to third on a steal and passed ball as the next batter flew out to Faith Alejandro-Cazinero in the outfield. Ili returned for her second homer, this time with a RBI. Kekoa maintained her composure and struck out the next batter before assisting another putout at first to keep Kohala’s 4-3 lead.
The Warriors quickly downed the Cowgirls in the bottom of the inning. The first batter was outed by Troy at first, assisted by Ili at shortstop. Camille Fuertes singled and stole second, but was left on base after two more strikeouts by Hora.
Kohala responded by ending KSH’s top fourth even faster. Kekoa struck out the first two batters, then caught a flyout from the third.
The bottom of the frame was also scoreless. The first batter flew out to Troy. Hoopai doubled, but was left after a strikeout by Hora and a flyout to second-baseman Tia Tanimoto.
The course of the game changed in the top fifth when the Warriors added five runs to lead 8-4. Jeyla Bettis-Shigeishi reached first on an error and made it to third on a wild pitch and passed ball, but was tagged out short of home by Kupuka‘a. Passed balls and wild pitches continued to aid KSH. Hora singled, then crossed home on a passed ball after getting to third and wild pitches. Napualaiku Ho and Ili loaded second and third, and were batted in by Tanimoto’s triple. Tanimoto was batted in by Rebekah Sipinga, and Mya Domingo-Bautista singled. Sipinga scored and Domingo Bautista was left on base as the following batter was put out at first.
The Warriors’ defense maintained their lead with another rapid shutout. Naiya Avenue took the mound and notched two strikeouts.
The other out was a flyout to Troy, and only Fuertes was able to get on base — singling and stealing to third before getting left there.
The Cowgirls downed KSH quickly in the top sixth, putting two batters out at first before a flyout to Fuertes turned over possession.
In the bottom of the inning, Avenue started off with another strikeout. Trinity-Lee Kearne singled and reached second as the next batter was putout at first. Another strikeout ended the inning.
KSH pulled away in the top seventh with four more runs. Sipinga singled, then was batted in by a double by Domingo-Bautista. Kekoa struck out the next batter, then Christensen hit a RBI triple. Bettis-Shigeishi singled with a RBI, as did Hora. Kekoa notched her sixth strikeout to end the damage.
Facing immense pressure, the Cowgirls faced a fast and disappointing end to the game. The first batter flew out to the outfield, Avenue struck out the next and then the third batter was tagged out short of second after reaching first on an error.
Ili went two-for-three with a walk and three runs to lead the Warriors at the plate. Fuertes went three-for-three to lead Kohala.
The Cowgirls will travel to Kea‘au High School at 11 a.m. Saturday for their next game.
The Warriors will play away 3 p.m. Monday at Konawaena High School.