BASEBALL: KONAWAENA 10 – HPA 0
The Wildcats stretched their win streak to five as they routed Hawaii Preparatory Academy 10-0 in a five-inning TKO on Tuesday in Kealakekua.
Konawaena’s 0-2 start seems like ancient history at this point, as the 5-2 Wildcats will face just three more regular season matchups. They also currently hold a firm grasp on BIIF DII’s No. 2 standing, not too far behind undefeated KS-Hawai‘i (8-0).
Koa Nakagawa earned the win on the mound, surrendering two hits and two walks in his four innings while striking out six batters. Stephen Amafaala Marquad closed out the last frame and gave Ka Makani nothing as HPA went three up, three down on his 11 pitches.
Maika Akamu went two-for-two with a walk to drive in two runs and lead Konawaena at the plate. Tate Garana drove in three runs as he went one-for-two with a walk.
Ka Makani’s two hits came courtesy of Kamea Leieiwi and Leon Kikukawa.
Next up, the Wildcats will play their final non-division match — taking on undefeated BIIF DI leader Hilo High (7-0). Due to the Merrie Monarch Festival, the game will not be played at either of Hilo’s usual home sites — Francis Wong Stadium and Walter Victor Baseball Complex — and the pair will instead clash on (somewhat) neutral ground at Kea‘au High.
HPA slumped to 1-5, but is still above BIIF DII’s final standing thanks to Kohala High’s so-far winless season. Ka Makani will look to climb the standings at its final regular season DII outing and third-to-last game next Wednesday — a local rivalry matchup against Honoka‘a High (2-5) on the Dragons’ home field. HPA will round off the regular season with a pair of home, non-division games against Kea‘au High and Waiakea High.
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SOFTBALL: KEALAKEHE 21 – KA‘U 1
Thanks to west side softball powerhouse Kealakehe High’s 14 base hits through three innings, the Waveriders were able to run-rule Ka‘u High on Wednesday in Kona by a score of 21-1 — their biggest win of 2024 thus far.
In the brief rout, third baseman Emalia Emmsley led the way for Kealakehe once again — collecting four hits while driving in four runs. To highlight a few of her at-bats, Emmsley hit a single, double and triple.
The ‘Riders’ biggest inning was in the first, when the blue and white scored an astounding 14 runs. Emmsley, first baseman Freeda Tosie, left fielder Summer Wellington and pitcher Kayleigh Nakamura hit RBI singles, scoring multiple runs apiece. Shortstop Rihanna Joaquin notched a three-run double, while catcher Malia Polimino and second baseman Saige Telles were hit by pitches — driving in runs. Kealakehe was also walked multiple times in the inning, advancing base runners across the diamond.
The ‘Riders added seven more runs in the final two innings, with Joaquin and Emmsley both tripling, center fielder Iolani Alapai doubling, right fielder Jaida Valeho singling and Emmsley doubling again to drive in the 21st run of the afternoon.
Nakamura was Kealakehe’s long pitcher in the circle, going all three innings and allowing just one hit. Four Waveriders produced at least two hits — Emmsley, Joaquin, Tosie and Nakamura. Alapai, Valeho and Wellington each had one hit.
For the Trojans, only one hit was produced on offense and the team went through two pitchers. Ka‘u’s lone run was scored off a Kealakehe error at the top of the first inning.
Now at 7-0-0 with one regular season game to go, the Waveriders have outscored opponents 99-9 — the best run differential on the island. Looking to close its dominant season on a high note, Kealakehe will next play Kea‘au at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Cougars’ home field for its regular season finale.
Ka‘u (0-6) will try to bounce back against Kohala at 11 a.m. Saturday in Kapaau.