The defending Big Island Interscholastic Association (BIIF) Division II champions started their season with a crushing loss, as the Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i softball team was dominated 25-8 by Pahoa High in a four-inning affair on Wednesday evening at Hilo’s Walter Victor Baseball Complex.
Though the game started off close, KS-Hawai‘i’s troubles on the mound snowballed — allowing the Daggers to make big plays, such as a grand slam by Jaylynn Kaawaloa and a walk-off three-run double by Arianna Kobayashi.
Pahoa’s batters spent most of the time getting free rides around the diamond, as the Daggers batters totalled a whopping 25 walks and four HBPs with just four hits.
Kobayashi went two-for-two with three walks and a HBP, hitting a double and a triple. Kaawaloa also had a perfect on-base percentage — as her grand slam was her only hit, and her other four plate appearances saw her walk thrice and reach on an error once. In addition, Kenzie Horton walked five times to become the Daggers’ third player with a perfect OBP on the outing.
Kaawaloa also spent all four innings on the mound for Pahoa.
The Warriors found occasional success at the plate — including a two-run triple by Kaohinani Christensen in the first inning.
Both teams will be back in action this weekend. Pahoa (1-0) will travel across the isle on Saturday for another DII test, at Konawaena High school for the Wildcats’ season opener.
KSH (0-1) will host Kealakehe on Saturday morning for the Waveriders’ first regular season outing.