Kamehameha entered as the BIIF’s biggest front-runner, but the Warriors also showed they can come from behind.
Kamehameha entered as the BIIF’s biggest front-runner, but the Warriors also showed they can come from behind.
When they do, they reveal their boisterous side.
Kamehameha spotted Waiakea a few runs Thursday on the road before storming back during a seven-run fifth inning for a resounding 13-7 victory that leaves the private-school Warriors as the league’s last unbeaten.
“We cheered way more than we usually do,” said sophomore Jessica Cameros, who fueled Kamehameha’s big inning with a bases-loaded triple.
Kamehameha (8-0) won all of its previous games by TKO, but senior right-hander Mykala Tokunaga appreciated the challenge, even as she scuffled a bit at times against Waiakea’s hard-hitting lineup. The four-time defending BIIF Division II champion is seeking it second consecutive unbeaten league season.
“It’s fun playing them,” Tokunaga said. “We looked forward to playing them.
“I’d rather play games like this than the ones we’ve been playing. It’s nerve-racking.”
Leadoff hitter Kiarra Lincoln was a thorn in Waiakea’s side, finishing with three hits and three runs scored with two RBIs. Makena Wagner had three hits as well, including a pair of run-scoring singles.
Trailing 5-2 entering the fifth against Alyssa Hara, Kamehameha loaded the bases for Lincoln, who singled to drive in Elexis Emmsley, who reached on a hit. With the bases still loaded, Cameros cleared them when she found the ally in right-center, scoring Kailee Kuhaulua (reached on error), Ili Kuuleianuenue (bunt single) and Lincoln, giving Kamehameha the lead.
“It was breathtaking,” Cameros said. “I’ve never done that.
“We realized (Waiakea) was working hard so we had to pump up he attitude.”
Kuuleianuenue also ripped a triple in the seventh, scoring on Lincoln’s hit.
Stretched to the seventh inning for the first time this season, Tokunaga struck out 12 and walked six, including three in the second that led to two runs for Waiakea (7-1), which fell into a first-place tie with Kealakehe in Division. I.
The Warriors visit the Waveriders on Saturday.
Skylar Thomas belted a two-run triple in the first for Waiakea, finishing with three hits and three RBIs.
“They are just a really good hitting team,” said Tokunaga, who allowed nine hits.
Taylor Nishimura had two hits and drove in two runs, and Tierra Teves collected two hits and scored three runs from the No. 9 spot in the order.
Hara spotted the ball well and allowed just two unearned runs and three hits in the first four inning, but Kamehameha connected for six hits in the fifth. In five innings, Hara allowed nine hits, nine runs, five earned, with three strikeouts.
“Once her ball starts coming up she becomes very hittable,” said Waiakea coach Bo Saiki, who wasn’t drawing any conclusions from the contest.
“We’ll see on Saturday,” he said.
Kamehameha could say the same as it gets set to visit Kohala (6-3), it’s closest Division II competition, on Saturday.
“Two hard games in a row,” Tokunaga said. “Fun.”
Kamehameha 100 173 1 – 13 11 2
Waiakea 220 203 0 – 7 9 3