KAILUA-KONA — In a wild back-and-forth game on Saturday, Kealakehe (7-3) lost two late leads only to pull out a 10-9 victory over visiting Keaau (4-6). The Waveriders lost a four-run lead in both the sixth and seventh inning, winning on a walk-off error in the bottom of the seventh.
“This was our first meeting with Keaau and it was a great outing on both sides,” said Kealakehe head coach Loni Mercado. “We don’t mind these games. These are the games we want to have. There is no sense in a one-sided game. Games like this keep it exciting for the players, the coaches and the fans, and it shows the true character of the girls.”
The Waveriders dominated the early portion of the game, taking a 5-1 advantage through five innings. However, the Cougars battled back in the top of sixth, pushing four runs across to tie the game.
Mahea Respisco opened the inning with a single to left and moved around the bases to score on a wild pitch. After Anela Gonzalez and Gillian Cabbab walked, Nohea Quilinderino stepped to the plate and blasted a three-run home run over the left field fence to tie the game at 5-5.
Kealakehe rebounded in the bottom of the frame by playing small ball. Telsea Taketa opened the inning with a bunt single and Nanea Kaluau was hit by a pitch. Dez Garcia then beat out a bunt to first and Taketa came in to score. Kaluau scored on a wild pitch.
After Jami Tan walked, a sacrifice bunt by Lisan Mudong, brought in another runner. Kay Villanueva then reached on an error by the right fielder, scoring Tan to put the Waveriders up 9-5.
Facing anther four-run deficit, Keaau was determined to stay in the game.
In the top of the seventh inning, Britney Calhoun led the Cougars off with a single to center and Bryana Grace followed with a line drive over the right field fence for a two-run homer.
Tatiyana Saragosa single to center and Gonzalez reached on an error. Kelsey Hernandez grounded out to short, but Saragosa managed to score the third run of the inning. On the same play, the Waveriders’ first baseman tried to throw over to third to get the final out, but the throw was off the mark, allowing Gonzalez to score the tying run.
Trying to avoid extra innings as clouds began to threaten the field with rain, Garcia led off the bottom of the seventh inning with a bunt single. Taketa then slapped a slow roller to first and the Keaau first baseman held on to the ball a little to long, throwing it into the ground. As the ball rolled into the outfield, Garcia came all the way around to score the winning run.
Not only did her bunt bring in the winning run, but Taketa also picked up the victory in the circle. She threw the complete game, allowing nine runs off eight hits. She struck out 10 and walked three.
“Telsea is our ace this year and she battled through a lot of adversity,” Mercado said. “And then to fight back on offense like she did today, I tip my hat to her.”
Grace took the loss for Keaau. She also threw all seven innings, allowing 10 runs off eight hits. She walked four and struck out three.
Kaluau showed some rare home power for the Waveriders at the plate. In the bottom of the fourth she sent a pitch over the left field fence for Kealakehe’s first home run at home this season.
“She was excited,” Mercado said. “It was lovely to see her finally get one.”
Kealakehe will be back in action on Monday when they host Hawaii Preparatory Academy. The Cougars will wait for their rematch with Kealakehe in Keaau on Wednesday. Both games are slated for 3 p.m.