The weekend yielded some of the highest-scoring, volatile BIIF baseball and softball playoff series in recent years — especially in Division I.
Waiakea’s softball team scored more runs against Kealakehe in two games than the Waveriders allowed throughout the entire regular season, and Hilo’s baseball team dealt Waiakea its first (local) run-rule TKO in more than a decade.
In DII, it was repeat titles for both of the Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i teams — as KSH’s softball squad swept Kohala High and its baseball team swept Konawaena High.
Game three, the finales, of the Central Pacific Bank/BIIF Division one baseball and softball series will be held today — as Waiakea and Kealakehe face off at 3 p.m. on the UH-Hilo softball field, then Waiakea and Hilo’s baseball teams return to Wong Stadium for a 5 p.m. matchup.
Division I softball
GAME 1: KEALAKEHE 18, WAIAKEA 12
An eight-run rally in the bottom sixth decimated Kealakehe’s deficit and gave the ‘Riders the go-ahead for a 1-0 series lead on Friday at UH-Hilo.
After four-and-a-half innings, Waiakea led 6-5.
With two outs on the board and runners on second and third, Kealakehe’s Saige Telles took a hit-by-pitch to load the bases. It happened again, as another pitch struck Malia Polimino to walk Caitlyn Nakamura home.
With the bases loaded, the ‘Riders got the bats going. Rihanna Joaquin singled on a ground ball to drive in Katherine Keizer, then Emalia Emmsley doubled to bat in Telles and Polimino as Joquin also scored on an error.
With the Warriors trailing 10-6 in the top of the sixth, Tehani Chinen’s leadoff solo homer spurred an even bigger rally — as Waiakea plated six runs before the end of the frame. The home run disoriented Kealakehe’s defense. Two errors and a walk allowed the Warriors to load the bases — then two more walks, a single by Kaelyn Sewake, another walk and a sacrifice fly by Chinen put WHS back in the lead.
But, the Waveriders raised the bar once again — surging for eight runs in the bottom frame — five of which were pushed in by walks and two more that were scored on a passed ball and an infield error. Keizer also singled to drive in two runs.
GAME 2: WAIAKEA 23, KEALAKEHE 3
Whatever momentum Kealakehe had going in the first game disappeared in the second, and instead went tenfold to Waiakea — as the Warriors not only dealt the ‘Riders their first loss of the year, they delivered Kealakehe its first rout.
Things started out in normal fashion — Waiakea got things going with three runs in the bottom first, then Kealakehe responded with two in the top of the second.
Then, the Warriors really got rolling in the bottom second as they warmed up their bats and took advantage of errors to plate five runs. Kealakehe scored another two runs in the top third to get closer to striking distance, but chaos insued in the bottom frame — as Waiakea blasted 15 runs before the game was called.
During the bottom third, Keani Kaneshiro and Megan Spencer each hit two-run homers. Chinen, Jhayda Rose Turner, Maddie Kodani and Kaitlyn Miura all doubled.
Kaneshiro led Waiakea at the plate, going three-for-three with seven RBIs. Turner went two-for-three with five RBIs, Chinen went two-for-three with four RBIs and Spencer went two-for-three with three RBIs.
During the regular season, 14 runs were scored against Kealakehe through ten games — with a season high of four during a game against Hilo High.
Division I baseball GAME 1: WAIAKEA 9, HILO 4
A Friday night rainout forced the Warriors and Vikings to face off in a Saturday doubleheader, which had unprecedented results.
The first game started in the morning, and was a back-and-forth battle which saw Hilo and Waiakea battle for control until the Warriors plated five runs in the top of the sixth inning to break away from a 4-4 tie.
Waiakea capped it off with a double-play in the bottom seventh to gain a 1-0 series lead.
It was already the highest-scoring BIIF playoff matchup between Waiakea and Hilo in years, but the series became even more unusual in the second game.
GAME 2: HILO 15, WAIAKEA 0
In an unexpected twist, Hilo run-ruled Waiakea in five innings.
The Warriors gave up nine runs in the top of the first inning as they struggled to find their footing on the mound — chasing two pitchers in the first frame.
The Vikings kept piling on the runs while shutting the Vikings out, and the game was called after the fifth inning.
Hilo and Waiakea will settle the score tonight.
Division II softball GAME 1: KSH 12, KOHALA 2
After a slow start, the Warriors pulled away — plating eight runs in the fourth and fifth innings to TKO the Cowgirls and take a 1-0 series lead.
GAME 2: KSH 15, KOHALA 0
The Warriors went on a rampage in the second game — featuring three home runs, two by Rebekah Sipinga and one by Rhian Ogawa — to dominate the Cowgirls and claim their second straight BIIF DII title.
Emily Hora got the start on the mound, combining with closer Kaila Garret for the shutout.
Sipinga hit her first homer in the top of the first inning, driving in Hora and Kealohi Ili. Her second was a solo leadoff homer in the top third, which — two at-bats later — Ogawa followed up with a three-run shot.
Sipinga went four-for-four to lead the Warriors, also doubling twice to close out with a massive slugging percentage of 3.000.
Ogawa went three-for-three with a walk to drive in five runs and score three, Kaohinani Christensen went three-for-four and batted in one run.
Both teams are now bound for the state championship. It will be KS-Hawai‘i’s third consecutive trip and Kohala’s second. The tournament will begin with the first round on Tuesday, May 14 on O‘ahu. KSH will receive a first-round bye and begin play in the quarterfinals the following day. The finale will be held Friday, May 17 at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
Division II baseball GAME 1: KSH 2, KONAWAENA 1
Keagan Pacheco’s two-run double in the bottom of the fourth inning gave the Warriors the go-ahead as KSH prevailed 2-1 from a white-knuckle outing to take a 1-0 series lead over Konawaena on Friday.
Shiloh Santos and Kahiau Rivera got the starts on the mound for KSH and Kona, respectively — and kept things tight through the first two innings, as both offenses struggled to build momentum.
With two outs on the board in the top of the third inning for the Wildcats, catcher Maika Akamu doubled on a first-pitch line drive to left field — batting in Kainoa Smith, who led off the frame with a single.
The Warriors also plated their first runs with two outs. In the bottom fourth, Shiloh Santos led with a walk, then Noah Palea bunted and reached on an error at first base.
After the next two batters were put out at first, Pacheco worked a full count to double and put KSH in the lead.
Santos earned the win on the mound, going six innings with one earned run on four hits and a walk while striking out five batters. Noah Palea closed out the final frame and gave up one hit with no walks, striking out two batters.
Akamu and first baseman Jaden Meyer led Konawaena in the field, notching five putouts with two assists and eight putouts, respectively.
GAME 2: KSH 12, KONAWAENA 0
Saturday’s game looked almost nothing like Friday’s, as the Warriors took a five-run lead in the top first and kept the pressure on to TKO the Wildcats in five innings, securing their 11th straight BIIF DII title.
KSH out-hit Konawaena 11-1.
“You always have to play with defense and pitch well,” KSH head coach Andy Correa said. “Hitting comes and goes. Kona’s pitching is good, I think (KSH’s players) just felt a little more comfortable today — and our pitching and defense stayed consistent, that was good to see.
“We just had to learn to scrap. Sometimes, you don’t get the breaks offensively — you gotta create your own, but you can always play good defense.”
The Wildcats’ only hit was a single in the bottom fifth by Keale Blas. Teammate Hayden Nishida walked twice to finish with a perfect on-base percentage.
Palea doubled twice to go two-for-three with three RBIs, leading KSH at the plate. Kamaka Ili also went two-for-three, driving in two runs.
Braden Gomes got the start on the mound for KSH and went four innings with no hits, four walks and four strikeouts.
Both teams are next headed to the HHSAA state championship, which will begin next Wednesday, May 15, on O‘ahu — ending on Friday, May 17.
“We always intend to try and represent the Big Island as best we can when we’re at state,” Correa said. “The state tournament is usually just about trying to get past that first game.”