The final week of Big Island prep baseball and softball’s regular season wraps up this week, with matchups taking place all across the isle before BIIF playoffs begin next week.
Hilo High wrapped up a successful week after going 3-0, with two wins Thursday against Kea‘au and Kealakehe and a narrow extra-innings win over Kamehameha-Hawaii on Tuesday at Wong Stadium. With the regular season now in the rearview, the Vikings enter the BIIF Division-I playoffs with a 7-3 record.
Hilo beat the Cougars and Waveriders by a combined score of 20-0, but the Vikings’ matchup against the Warriors was the ultimate test, as KSH tied things up 8-8 at the top of the seventh. However, Hilo ended things in the eighth inning after driving in the winning run.
Hunter Pangelinan led the victorious Vikings with three hits, while teammates Richard Wells Jr., Liam Villanueva and Cole Hatayama each had two. Pangelinan, Wells Jr., Villanueva and Tyson Santiago all shared time on the mound.
KSH, which sits at 6-3 on the season, was led by Iokepa Martines, Brock Ayudan and Eriz Passi with two hits each. The Warriors went to five different pitchers on the mound.
Hilo’s softball team also handled business against Konawaena handily, winning 15-5 over five innings on Thursday and beating Kealakehe 11-6 on Wednesday. Per ScoringLive, the Vikings additionally matched up with Kea‘au late Friday afternoon.
Hawaii Prep baseball earned win No. 8 of the season after a 12-2 run rule of fellow North Hawaii rival Kohala on Tuesday in Waimea. Out of Ka Makani’s 10 base hits, Leon Kikukawa led the way with three hits, while Kahea Leleiwi was the game’s winning pitcher after striking out six batters over 4.0 innings.
Kaua Reyes led the 0-9 Cowboys with two hits.
Now winners of two straight, HPA (8-3) remains one of the favorites to win the BIIF DII title.
Kohala softball also posted its biggest win of the year after a 21-2 thrashing of Pahoa on Thursday.
Waiakea and Konawaena baseball and softball also competed against one another Wednesday, with the Warriors being victorious in both outings.
In baseball, Waiakea baseball remained unbeaten with a 9-0 victory over Konawaena, spearheaded by Jerrell Alston’s four base hits. Teammates Zian Wery and Connor Wallace each had two. In total, the Warriors logged 12 hits to the Wildcats’ one (which was hit by Kawika Fukunaga).
Hurley Soong was named the game’s winning pitcher after allowing no runs while striking out six over 66 pitches. Soong leads the Warriors in wins.
Waiakea has maintained perfection all season, moving to 9-0. They post an impressive 88-5 run differential, which includes seven straight shutout victories. Not only do the Warriors remain the favorites to win BIIFs, but one of the premier favorites to return to the state-title stage next month.
The Warriors softball team had arguably the most dominant win on the diamond this season, trouncing Kona 29-2 in four innings. Waiakea had scored 15 runs in the first two innings, but really started to pile it on in the fourth, where they added 14 more.
Keani Kaneshiro led the winners with a stat-stuffing performance, tallying three hits — including a homer — and seven RBI. Teammates Tinei Soi and Maria Malasaga combined for nine RBI.
Jessie Garza was the lone pitcher in the circle for the Warriors, allowing just five hits and no walks while striking out six.
Milinda Garcia led Kona with two hits.
Like the baseball team, Waiakea’s softball squad also has a perfect record (8-0). The Warriors have outscored their opponents 133-26.
KSH softball had a successful week, run-ruling both Pahoa and Honoka‘a. The Warriors have won three straight.
Against the Daggers on Wednesday, KSH won 13-3 — led by ket hits from Layla Masaoka, Olaa Brown, Alaula Awong, Kaililia Thompson-Ua and Shiann Santos. In the Warriors 20-10 victory over Honoka‘a on Monday, Kealohi Ili drive in four runs, including a home run.
KSH is currently 5-1 on the season.
On Monday, Ka‘u baseball earned its seventh win of the season after a 7-0 shutout of Pahoa.
See the paper next week for baseball and softball playoff updates.
