Navigate

BIIF softball: Warriors celebrate senior night with big win

By Conor Langs West Hawaii Today | Sunday, April 12, 2026, 12:05 a.m.

Swipe left for more photos

Waiakea’s Kimberly Kelekona prepares to swing as a pitch reaches the plate during Thursday’s BIIF softball game against Kealakehe in Hilo. (Tim Wright/newsphotoshawaii.com) ▲
Waiakea pitcher Jessica Garza delivers a pitch during Thursday’s BIIF softball game against Kealakehe in Hilo. Waiakea defeated the visiting Waveriders 18–8. (Tim Wright/newsphotoshawaii.com) ▲
Waiakea’s Meghan Spencer (15) scores on a close play at the plate as Kealakehe catcher Shalee Akau attempts to make the tag during Thursday’s BIIF softball game in Hilo. Waiakea defeated the visiting Waveriders 18–8. (Tim Wright/newsphotoshawaii.com) ▲
Kealakehe’s Miley Moriarty races home and beats the throw as the Waiakea catcher tries to handle the incoming ball during Thursday’s BIIF softball game in Hilo. Waiakea defeated the visiting Waveriders 18–8. (Tim Wright/newsphotoshawaii.com) ▲
After Thursday’s BIIF softball game against Kealakehe, a subtle reminder arrived that the BIIF sports year is quickly coming to an end as the Waiakea softball team honored three seniors — Keani Kaneshiro (1), Kaelyn Sewake (12) and Meghan Spencer (15). The trio traded their uniforms for colorful tutus and each took a moment to thank their parents, family, coaches and teammates. One by one, the seniors stepped up for a final swing, ran the bases and slid into home plate — where teammates waited with a muddy celebration worthy of senior night. As we bid a hui hou to these young ladies, we also say aloha to the many other students across Hawaiʻi Island who will soon turn their graduation tassels and move on to the next chapter in life. (Tim Wright/newsphotoshawaii.com) ▲
After Thursday’s BIIF softball game against Kealakehe, a subtle reminder arrived that the BIIF sports year is quickly coming to an end as the Waiakea softball team honored three seniors — Keani Kaneshiro (1), Kaelyn Sewake (12) and Meghan Spencer (15). The trio traded their uniforms for colorful tutus and each took a moment to thank their parents, family, coaches and teammates. One by one, the seniors stepped up for a final swing, ran the bases and slid into home plate — where teammates waited with a muddy celebration worthy of senior night. As we bid a hui hou to these young ladies, we also say aloha to the many other students across Hawaiʻi Island who will soon turn their graduation tassels and move on to the next chapter in life. (Tim Wright/newsphotoshawaii.com) ▲
After Thursday’s BIIF softball game against Kealakehe, a subtle reminder arrived that the BIIF sports year is quickly coming to an end as the Waiakea softball team honored three seniors — Keani Kaneshiro (1), Kaelyn Sewake (12) and Meghan Spencer (15). The trio traded their uniforms for colorful tutus and each took a moment to thank their parents, family, coaches and teammates. One by one, the seniors stepped up for a final swing, ran the bases and slid into home plate — where teammates waited with a muddy celebration worthy of senior night. As we bid a hui hou to these young ladies, we also say aloha to the many other students across Hawaiʻi Island who will soon turn their graduation tassels and move on to the next chapter in life. (Tim Wright/newsphotoshawaii.com) ▲
After Thursday’s BIIF softball game against Kealakehe, a subtle reminder arrived that the BIIF sports year is quickly coming to an end as the Waiakea softball team honored three seniors — Keani Kaneshiro (1), Kaelyn Sewake (12) and Meghan Spencer (15). The trio traded their uniforms for colorful tutus and each took a moment to thank their parents, family, coaches and teammates. One by one, the seniors stepped up for a final swing, ran the bases and slid into home plate — where teammates waited with a muddy celebration worthy of senior night. As we bid a hui hou to these young ladies, we also say aloha to the many other students across Hawaiʻi Island who will soon turn their graduation tassels and move on to the next chapter in life. (Tim Wright/newsphotoshawaii.com) ▲
After Thursday’s BIIF softball game against Kealakehe, a subtle reminder arrived that the BIIF sports year is quickly coming to an end as the Waiakea softball team honored three seniors — Keani Kaneshiro (1), Kaelyn Sewake (12) and Meghan Spencer (15). The trio traded their uniforms for colorful tutus and each took a moment to thank their parents, family, coaches and teammates. One by one, the seniors stepped up for a final swing, ran the bases and slid into home plate — where teammates waited with a muddy celebration worthy of senior night. As we bid a hui hou to these young ladies, we also say aloha to the many other students across Hawaiʻi Island who will soon turn their graduation tassels and move on to the next chapter in life. (Tim Wright/newsphotoshawaii.com) ▲
Kealakehe’s Zuleika Isisaki connects for a hit during Thursday’s BIIF softball game against Waiakea in Hilo. Waiakea defeated the visiting Waveriders 18–8. (Tim Wright/newsphotoshawaii.com) ▲
After Thursday’s BIIF softball game against Kealakehe, a subtle reminder arrived that the BIIF sports year is quickly coming to an end as the Waiakea softball team honored three seniors — Keani Kaneshiro (1), Kaelyn Sewake (12) and Meghan Spencer (15). The trio traded their uniforms for colorful tutus and each took a moment to thank their parents, family, coaches and teammates. One by one, the seniors stepped up for a final swing, ran the bases and slid into home plate — where teammates waited with a muddy celebration worthy of senior night. As we bid a hui hou to these young ladies, we also say aloha to the many other students across Hawaiʻi Island who will soon turn their graduation tassels and move on to the next chapter in life. (Tim Wright/newsphotoshawaii.com) ▲
Click here and log in to view this story
Subscribe Now Choose a package that suits your preferences.
Start Free Account Get access to 7 premium stories every month for FREE!
Already a Subscriber? Current print subscriber? Activate your complimentary Digital account.

HILO — Thanks to Waiakea softball’s 13 base hits, the hosting Warriors were able to run rule the visiting Kealakehe Waveriders 18-8 over 6.0 innings during Thursday’s game.

The victors also celebrated senior night for Keani Kaneshiro, Kaelyn Sewake and Meghan Spencer.

Waiakea improved to a perfect 6-0, and was led by Spencer and Chansity McGill, who both combined for six hits and six RBI. Kaneshiro and and Ritanii Henry each added two of their own.

The game was tied 3-3 after the opening inning, but Waiakea quickly responded with 15 runs over the last five innings, including a nine-run outburst in the sixth.

In the circle, Jesse Garza was named the game’s winning pitcher after allowing four hits. Spencer also spent time in the circle, allowing three hits.

Dominant would be an understatement to Waiakea’s season, as they have out-scored opponents 87-18, including two shutout wins. Kaneshiro leads the team in hits (13) and runs (16), while Spencer leads in RBI (12), triples (three), home runs (two), innings pitched (21.0), wins (four) and strikeouts (18).

With such a dominant campaign thus far, Waiakea remains the clear favorite to win the BIIF DI championship. They’ll return to the diamond on Wednesday against Konawaena. The game was rescheduled from March 14 due to the aggressive Kona low storm.

Kealakehe showed life in this game, but their firepower wasn’t enough to keep up with the Warriors — only mustering seven hits. Miley Moriarty and La‘i Micheli-Kaimiola combined for six hits and five RBI, including three doubles from Micheli-Kaimiola.

Shalee Aku also singled once.

Jahryah Akana-Richard and Moriarty split time in the circle for Kealakehe.

The Waveriders next face Kea‘au on Wednesday on the other side of the island.

For photos of Waiakea’s senior night, see page B2.

Leave a Comment