Kealakehe made the most of its second chance in a softball slugfest against Waiakea.
The Waveriders rallied from a seven-run deficit to defeat the Warriors 14-12 in a BIIF Division I softball game Thursday at Waiakea’s field.
Kealakehe (1-2) and Waiakea (1-1) played again after their game on Wednesday was wiped out by rain.
“It was crazy, and I expected that,” Kealakehe coach Loni Mercado said. “After we got rained out, we went back home and did some soul searching and dug deep.”
Down 7-0 after two innings, Telsea Taketa pitched five innings and allowed five runs on six hits for the win.
Taketa retired the side just once but she none and made the Warrior earn their runs.
“She’s our workhorse and our ace. She keeps working,” Mercado said.
The Waveriders never felt they were out of the game despite being in such a big hole.
The belief started in the third with basehits. Mia Joaquin singled off Halee Sweat, Taketa walked and later Kenye Palik belted a two-run double to highlight a six-run rally.
After three frames, Waiakea led 9-6 but Kealakehe started to put together patient at-bats.
The Waveriders drew 13 walks and scored seven runs off those free passes.
Nanea Kaluau had a bases-clearing double for an 11-7 lead in the top of the fifth to highlight another six-run inning.
Waiakea scored once in the bottom of the inning, and after five the Waveriders led 13-10.
LisanMarie Mudong batted 4 for 5 with two RBIs, Kaluau had three RBIs, and Palik and Kierra-Christina Molina each added two RBIs.
Joaquin started, went two innings, gave up seven runs and got a no-decision.
Sweat went 4 1/3 and allowed 10 runs in a no-decision.
Kelsie Imai pitched 2 2/3 innings, gave up five runs and took the loss.
Sweat had three hits, Kaylee Aiona, Imai, and Alize Kaapana, had two hits each. Ziara Tosie batted 3 for 5 with two RBIs, including a solo homer in the seventh.
Waiakea constantly got into scoring position with 12 steals out of 12 attempts.
“My mindset if I gave up a hit my focus was on the next pitch and keep going,” Taketa said. “I knew I needed to have short-term memory. Whatever happens, just keep going forward.”
After the game, there were no hand shakes due to the BIIF’s protocol concerning the coronavirus.
There was also a sobering realization that there may not be a lot of games left with so many events and sports being suspended.
“We’re just hoping and praying for the best,” Mercado said.
Waiakea coach Melissa Pang has been enjoying her first season, despite an unknown future.
“We were in a battle and there’s a lot of room for improvement,” she said. “We’ve got a world crisis going on. It was a great opportunity to play.”
Baseball
Hilo 17, Hawaii Prep 1: Charley Barley pitched a three-hitter, and Elijah Haili hit a pinch-hit homer over the left-field fence for the Vikings (1-1).
The host Ka Makani fell to 1-3.