Softball
WAIAKEA 16 – KEA‘AU 1
After suffering its first loss of the season last week, Waiakea High’s softball team got back into domination mode on Tuesday as the Warriors routed Kea‘au High 16-1 in Hilo.
Though it was a rough outing for the Cougars as a team, it wasn’t so bad for Tiani Kaupu — who hit a two-run homer in the top of the third inning to put Kea‘au on the board.
Kaitlyn Miura pitched all four innings of the run-ruled affair for WHS, allowing no hits other than Kaupu’s homer and surrendering just two walks while striking out nine.
Keani Kaneshiro dominated at the plate, going three-for-three with two doubles to bat in four runs and score two. Jhayda Rose Turner also showed out, going two-for-three and driving in a run.
Now 7-1, Waiakea has one game remaining — senior night on Friday against BIIF DII leader KS-Hawai‘i (4-2).
Though the Cougars fell to 1-4, they saved plenty of outings for the late season — and will look to turn things around by winning their next matchup on Saturday at home against DII’s Honoka‘a High (2-5).
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KOHALA 4 – HONOKA‘A 3
The Kohala High softball team’s season has come with plenty of highs and lows — and thankfully for the Cowgirls, Monday afternoon was another high.
Kohala came back from a 2-0 deficit and broke away from a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning to overcome Honoka‘a High 4-3 in Kapa‘au — advancing to a 3-4 overall record and 3-1 home field record.
Kalia Marquez led Kohala at the plate, going two-for-four. Kana‘i Tolentino led Honoka‘a, going three-for-four — including a solo homer to right field in the second inning — and drove in two runs.
Marquez also earned the win on the mound for Kohala, surrendering three earned runs on 12 hits and no walks — notching nine strikeouts in her seven innings.
The Dragons dropped to 2-5, but are still in the BIIF DII playoff race at No. 4 in the league. Next up, Honoka‘a will look to make a statement by taking down a DI opponent in Kea‘au this weekend.
The Cowgirls will have some time to savor their victory, also next facing Kea‘au on April 13 for their senior night in North Kohala.
Baseball
HONOKA‘A 12 – KOHALA 0
Kinohi Lindsey tripled twice, going three-for-three with three RBIs to lead Honoka‘a High’s baseball team over Kohala High, 12-0, on Monday afternoon for a succesful trip to the other side of the isle’s northern valleys.
Issac DeRego and Josiah Napoleon-Umeda combined for the shutout, surrendering just four hits and three walks total as DeRego struck down one batter and Napoleon-Umeda took out four.
It’s been a rough season for the Cowboys, who sit in the cellar of BIIF DII at 1-6. With three outings remaining, there’s no chance to reach .500, but still ample opportunity to get some wins and have some fun.
Next Tuesday (April 9), Kohala will host Konawaena High (4-2).
Honoka‘a will look to get its first win streak going as it travels to Puna this weekend to take on Kea‘au.
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WAIAKEA 17 – KEA‘AU 0
In its final regular season BIIF DI matchup, Waiakea High’s baseball team crushed Kea‘au High 17-0 on Tuesday in Hilo.
The Warriors moved to 6-1 and officially secured a high seed in the BIIF DI playoffs, which will begin later this month. Waiakea will play its senior night game on Friday at home against BIIF DII leader KS-Hawai‘i — then end its season with two road games, against Hawaii Prep and Ka‘u High.
Kea‘au fell to 0-5 and will next face Honoka‘a this weekend. The Cougars’ final regular season DI matchup will be next week at home against Kealakehe High. Kea‘au will wrap up its season with three straight non-division outings, starting with Kohala High next week.
Volleyball
KS-HAWAI‘I 3 – KEA‘AU 0
The Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i boys varsity volleyball team notched its fifth straight win and first sweep of the season, downing homestanding Kea‘au High in sets of 25-19, 25-18 and 25-14 on Monday night in Puna.
KSH’s Nainoa Paio had a great game, leading the Warriors’ offense with eight kills and four aces. Setter Kalena Launiu also contributed 20 assists. So far this season, Paio leads the Warriors with 39 kills.
Following a Tuesday night home game against Hilo High (results will be published later), KSH will next host Kealakehe High on Monday, April 8.
The Warriors stand at No. 6 in the state, per this week’s ScoringLive power rankings. Hilo is the only other BIIF team above the cut, ranking No. 8. The Interscholastic League of Honolulu (ILH) currently dominates the top ranking, with Punahou School at No. 1, ‘Iolani at No. 2 and KS-Kapalama at No. 3.
The Cougars’ skid extended to five losses, and they have yet to notch their first win. Kea‘au will look to get in the win collumn tonight, as it faces Waiakea High (1-4) in Hilo.
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HPA 3 – CLA 0
The Hawaii Prep Academy boys volleyball made quick work of Christian Liberty Academy on Monday night, sweeping the Canefire 25-14, 27-25 and 25-17 for its second win of the season.
Now at 2-2 in 2024, Ka Makani will try to get in the win column again against Makua Lani — slated for 6 p.m. Thursday in Castle Gym. CLA (1-3) will try to get its second win of the year against Konawaena at 6 p.m. tonight at home in Kea‘au.
