Baseball
HILO 3 – WAIAKEA 1
It’s always a close game between the leeward side’s two perennial Division I powerhouses, and Wednesday night’s bout at Francis Wong Stadium was no exception.
Both teams played a clean game, with just three total errors between them — and the Vikings came away victorious, 3-1.
“Hilo played a very good game,” WHS head coach Chris Honda said. “They’re a good ball club, good players — they played really well (Wednesday) night and we got beat. I told my team that we need to just remember what this feels like, and keep working hard, take it day by day.
“(Hilo) had very timely hitting. They got guys on with timely hitting, which we did not do — and it reflected in the score.”
In the top of the second inning, Hilo got on the board first when Cole Hatayama hit an infield grounder, allowing Zion Palea — who reached first on a walk —to score. After leaving two Waiakea players on base when closing out the bottom frame, the Vikings grew their lead to 2-0 in the top third when Legend Lancaster singled to bat in Jarren Sakamoto.
The Warriors were quick to respond, plating their lone run in the bottom frame. Pitcher Caleb Wada hit a deep fly ball to left field on a 1-2 count, doubling to send home Terpin Tamiya — who led off with a single.
The following three innings were a stalemate, as both teams got hits but couldn’t capitalize.
With two outs on the board in the top of the seventh inning, Hilo scored one more run to make the Warriors’ shot at a comeback much tougher. With runners on second and third, Koa Marzo singled, batting in Talus Sato.
Lancaster closed out the bottom seventh on the mound, fanning two batters in a row after the Warriors’ leadoff hit a fly ball that Sakamoto caught at the edge of right field.
Marzo got the start on the mound and pitched the first three innings, surrendering three hits and a walk. Dylan Villanueva swapped out from first base to the mound to pitch the fourth and fifth innings, and gave up no hits or walks as one batter reached on an infield error. Lancaster closed out for two frames, collecting four strikeouts with no hits and one HBP.
Clemson Julian’s first-base acrobatics highlighted Waiakea’s offense, and he was the keystone of the Warriors’ highly cohesive defense. The junior dropped to the splits several times — once so hard he got a cramp and needed to take a timeout — totalling a whopping 16 putouts, assisted seven times by shortstop Isaiah Justo and six by third-baseman Ivor Brooks.
Waiakea is now 4-1, and will hit the road tomorrow for a DI test against Kealakehe High (2-5) in Kona.
Hilo (5-0) now boasts the only undefeated record in BIIF DI, and rivals KS-Hawai‘i (7-0) as the only other undefeated baseball team on the isle. The Vikings will also be back in action Saturday, playing DII’s HPA (1-3) at1 p.m. at Wong Stadium.
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HPA 11, KOHALA 1
Hawaii Prep baseball handled business against Kohala on Wednesday afternoon in Waimea, routing the Cowboys 11-1 in six innings — earning its first win of 2024.
Next up for HPA (1-3) is a Saturday afternoon game against Hilo at 3 p.m. at Wong Stadium, as Ka Makani will look to build off the win.
The Cowboys (0-4) will seek redemption against Honoka‘a — slated for 3 p.m. Monday in Kapaau.
Softball
WAIAKEA 11 – HILO 1
The Warriors made quick work of the Vikings, dealing them their first BIIF play loss, 11-1 in a five-inning, run-ruled matchup on Wednesday afternoon at the WHS softball field.
WHS’ Meghan Spencer pitched all five innings, surrendering just one hit and three walks while striking out five. Teammate Tehani Chinen had a monster performance at the plate, going two-for-three with a homer, a double and two RBIs.
Keani Kaneshiro also homered for the Warriors, batting in two runs. Lexi Santiago and Jhada Rose Turner each hit triples, while Kaelyn Sewake and Enea Luther both doubled.
Hilo’s lone hit was by Mackenzie Valentin.
At 6-0 with two outings remaining, Waiakea’s next matchup will be the most decisive of its regular season. The Warriors will take on Kealakehe (5-0) at 1 p.m. on Saturday in Kailua-Kona in a decisive game that will have a massive influence on the BIIF Division I playoff seedings.
Hilo fell to 4-1 with four three matchups remaining. The Vikings will play their next two games at home, starting next week with Konawaena High on April 6.
