KEA‘AU — The Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i varsity softball team defeated Pahoa High School 12-2 on Wednesday afternoon.
A single by Jezney Chang and to hit-by-pitches got the Daggers on base in the top first, but they were unable to score. A tagout at second base and two putouts at first — from catcher Kaohinani Christensen to first-baseman Kaiyana Troy — sent Pahoa onto the field.
The Warriors took a 2-0 lead in the bottom first. After the leadoff was put out at first on an assist by pitcher Kawena Alatini — Emily Hora singled, stole second and was batted in by Kahiwaleinaniokealoha Ili’s triple. Rhian Ogawa got hit by a pitch, then Mya Domingo-Bautista sacrifice-bunted to bat in Ili. A flyout closed the frame.
In the top of the next inning, the Daggers first three batters were all fanned by Ili on the mound.
The Warriors returned to the dugout and put up four more runs to lead 6-0 by the end of the second inning. Runs were scored by Napualaiku Ho, Christensen, Hora and Ili. Ho singled, Hora singled with a RBI and Rebekah Sipinga reached first on a fielder’s choice to send Ili home. Alatini notched her first strikeout of the game, and the other two outs came from putouts at first.
After their leadoff singled, Pahoa’s next three batters went out — first by a flyout, then the next two were struck out by Ili.
The bottom third saw three more runs by KSH. Tia Tanimoto reached first on an error, then Christensen’s triple sent her across the plate. Christensen was then tagged out short of home by Chang at catcher. Ho singled and stole second, then Hora doubled to bat her in. Ili singled to bat in Hora, then Ogawa and Domingo-Bautista each got on base to load the bases. A pair of flyouts left all three on base.
In the top fourth, the Daggers went down in three batters again. However, they prevented more damage by shutting out the Warriors in the bottom frame, leaving a runner on third. Ili returned to the hill and fanned two more in the top fifth — then in the bottom fifth, two flyouts and a putout at first shut KSH out.
Pahoa finally scored in the top fifth to decrease its deficit to 9-2, but three more runs by the Warriors in the bottom sixth led to the game being called.
Christensen went two-for-two with a walk and an intentional walk to score two runs and bat one in — leading KSH in the box.
Ili earned the win, fanning eight while allowing two hits and hitting two batters by pitch.
Tomorrow at 11 a.m., the Daggers will chase a win at Kealakehe High School.
The Warriors will face off against Hilo High School on Thursday afternoon at Walter Victor Baseball Complex.
