KEALAKEKUA — Konawaena head coach Adam Tabieros had a smirk on his face before the start of the baseball game between his Wildcats and visiting Waiakea on Saturday.
He knew the secret that is not so secret about the undefeated Warriors: their hitters have struggled against with slower pitching.
With that in mind Tabieros sent out Riki Furuto. The freshman hurler had his moments, keeping Waiakea off-balance for the most part, but a two-home run, six RBI day by the Warriors’ No. 2 hitter, Kalai Rosario, allowed Waiakea to pick up the win anyways.
The Warriors rode a six-run second inning on the way to a 14-3 victory and a 7-0 league record. No team has even come close to beating Waiakea, with the smallest run differential being six in an 8-2 victory over Hilo in the season opener.
“We are establishing a consistent, relentless style of play with good defense, good pitching and good hitting,” first-year head coach Eric Kurosawa said. “You are going to have to beat us. We will not beat ourselves.”
Rosario finished the day with three hits, and his play drew an intentional walk late in the game, one that allowed Waiakea’s No. 3 hitter, Safea Mauai, to double in a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning.
Rosario credits his work with the new head coach as the reason for his performance against the Wildcats.
“Other teams know we have a hard time with slower pitching so they challenge us, but today was a good chance for us to show them we can stay back and drive the ball against anyone,” Rosario said. “Coach Eric has been working with me on staying back and I was able to do my job today, which is drive in runs.”
Rosario, along with Mauai and leadoff hitter Stone Miyao make a tough 1-2-3 punch at the top of the Warriors’ lineup and they did their damage on Saturday, combining for five hits, 10 RBIs and five runs.
On the hill, Waiakea threw lefty Khaden Victorino, who picked up the win after going 4 2/3 innings. He allowed two runs off five hits, while striking out three and walking one.
Ty Honda entered in relief and threw the final 2 1/3 innings, allowing one run of two hits. He struck out two and walked one.
“Khaden struggled a little but he had our bats and the defense behind him,” Kurosawa said. “Both he and Ty threw strikes and came through for us.”
After allowing six runs to Waiakea in the second inning, Furuto settled down, allowing no runs through the next three innings, before allowing three runs in the sixth. The Wildcat pitcher took the loss, allowing nine runs — eight earned — off six hits. He struck out one but struggled with his command, walking five.
Elisha Martin entered in relief, but struggled with his command, walking three, while only picking up two outs. He allowed the second home run to Rosario, and five runs total. Drew Basque got the final out in the top of the seventh.
On offense, Konawaena’s Jake Basque, Tevin Canda and Bronson Rivera finished with two hits each.
Next up for the Warriors is another meeting with Hilo on Tuesday. The most anticipated game on the schedule is a match with undefeated Kamehameha on April 6.
“We are super excited to play them,” Rosario said of Kamehameha. “It is going to be a good game and good competition.”
The Wildcats (5-3) have a game at Honokaa on Tuesday. They will try to get back on track after having a three-game win streak snapped by Waiakea.
Softball
Waiakea 14, Konawaena 3
Waiakea scored at least two runs in each of the first four innings against the Wildcats at Konawaena High School on Saturday to pull away for six-inning TKO victory.
Alize Kaapana led the charge for Waiakea, going 3-for-5 with a three-run home run in the top of the first.
“I was just looking to get on base and I thought they would catch the ball,” Kaapana said. “I just try to do whatever the coach wants me to do. If he asks me to hit, I hit. If he wants me to bunt I bunt. Whatever he needs me to do, I do.”
Ziara Tosie and Kayla Kodani also had good days at the plate for Waiakea with two hits apiece, but while the offense was good, it was the defense that stood out the most for head coach Bo Saiki.
“They did their jobs,” Saiki said. “This was not like other days when they are making errors. They played defense today.”
Halee Sweat picked up the victory inside the circle for the Warriors. She threw all six innings, allowing three earned runs off seven walks and two hits. She struck out eight.
“I liked her change up today,” said Kaapana, who was catching. “She is, hands down, good.”
Erin Kaimuola-Bates picked up the loss after 3 2/3 innings for Konawaena, allowing 12 runs, 11 earned, off 13 hits. She walked four and struck out two. Andi Uemura threw the final 2 1/3 innings, allowing two unearned runs and no hits. She walked two and struck out two.
Waiakea (8-1) has now won six straight games after having their 42-game league winning streak snapped by Kohala at the beginning of the month.
Next up for the Warriors is a game with Hilo on Monday. The Wildcats (4-6) will travel to Honokaa on Monday.
Kealakehe 15, Pahoa 3
Kealakehe pounded on Pahoa with nine runs in the first two innings to coast to a TKO victory against the Daggers.
Kaylyn “Bu” Villanueva led the way for the Waveriders with a trio of RBIs, and Telsea Taketa, Nanea Kaluau, Kenye Palik, Lucky Isisaki and Bailey Busto-Beaudet each had a pair. Palik went a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate.
Taketa picked up the win in the circle for Kealakehe, pitching three innings with five strikeouts, no walks and allowing just one hit. Mia Joaquin finished off the final two innings.
Zhy Che Fley, Hope Kamakeeaina and Nanea Kaawaloa scored runs for Pahoa. Staysia Hoomana took the loss.