BIIF spring sports: KSH stays perfect; Hilo sweeps

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The Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) spring sports season continued Wednesday across the isle with girls flag football, baseball and softball matchups. See the paper all spring for continued updates.

KSH remains unbeaten; Honoka’a hosts 3 games

Kamehameha-Hawaii girls flag football remained undefeated in the early season after an 18-8 win over Kea‘au on Wednesday at home. The Lady Warriors improved to 4-0, while the Lady Cougars lost their third straight — falling to 1-3.

Thus far in the inaugural flag football season, KSH has out-scored opponents 104-21 — averaging 27.3 points per game while allowing 5.3. Kea‘au has averaged just over 10 points while allowing over 21.

The Lady Warriors’ next test won’t be until Wednesday, but many expect the matchup to be a good one. They’ll be matched up against East-side rival Waiakea in Hilo town. The Lady Cougars face Hilo on Thursday in Kea‘au Village.

Over in Honoka‘a town, three matchups were played Wednesday. The first of the afternoon was Kealakehe against the hosting Lady Dragons, in which Honoka‘a won 19-16. The Lady Dragons moved to 2-1 on the year while the Lady Waveriders suffered their first loss (1-1).

Kealakehe next plays Parker on Monday night at Waverider Stadium, hoping to redeem itself from the nailbiter loss.

Parker and Kohala squared off next, with the Cowgirls winning smoothly 31-6 and earning their first win of the season. Kohala redeemed itself after dropping its first two matches.

While the Lady Bulls play in Kona town next week, the Cowgirls next face Hawaii Preparatory Academy on April 5 in Kapa‘au.

In the final matchup of the evening, the Lady Dragons took the field once again — this time against HPA in the red and white’s season opener. Ka Makani was more rested and ready for this game, blanking the hosts 18-0 to get its first regular season win in school history.

HPA next takes the field against Pahoa at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hilo High, while the Lady Dragons will look to redeem themselves against Parker on Wednesday at Konawaena High School’s Julian R. Yates Field.

Hilo sweeps Kea‘au

Hilo baseball and softball took care of business against the visiting Kea‘au Cougars on Wednesday afternoon, beating both teams in dominant fashion.

The first matchup of the afternoon was between the two baseball teams, in which the Vikings comfortably won 11-1. Hilo posted eight hits to Kea‘au’s three.

Ghage Daquep led the Vikings with two hits, followed by Kamren Agpalza, Kainui Keopuhiwa, Jaydon Geraci, Talus Sato, Logan Schlueter and Axel Akau smacked one base hit each.

Braden Oda was Hilo’s winning pitcher, lasting 3.0 innings while allowing two hits, one run and a strikeout. Bullpen teammate Zayvin Fujioka closed the final 2.0 innings, striking out three.

Elson Kalawe led Kea‘au with two hits, followed by teammate Scott Ebesuno-Tahara with one. Ebesuno-Tahara was the Cougars’ lone pitcher, allowing eight hits and 11 runs while striking out two across 84 pitches.

Now at 2-2, the Vikings will look to keep it going with their next matchup against Kealakehe on Thursday in Kailua-Kona.

Kea‘au fell to 0-5, amd will next take the diamond on April 5 against Konawaena at home.

The second game of the day saw Hilo’s softball team blank the Lady Cougars 10-0, logging 12 hits to Kea‘au’s three.

Zaydee Amar, Molly Davi, Jeyla Bettis-Shigeishi and Jacobi Alba-Kuwahara all had two hits each for the Lady Vikings, while teammates Maluhia Hamada, Mackenzie Valentin, Madison Waiki and Kaylie Caceres added one apiece.

Davi was the sole pitcher for Hilo in the circle, allowing just three hits while striking out an astounding 17 batters.

Tihani Kalawe, Lilia Kaupu and Leila Chapman each had one hit for the Lady Cougars.

The Lady Vikings, now 3-0, will aim to stay unbeaten with their next test against Kealakehe on Thursday in Kona town. Kea‘au (0-3) will be back April 5 against Konawaena at Arthur L. Greenwell Park.

HPA trounces Kohala

Hawaii Prep baseball got back in the win column after a few weeks off, blasting the visiting Kohala Cowboys 12-1 on Wednesday in Waimea. Ka Makani improved to 2-2, while Kohala remained winless at 0-4.

HPA senior second baseman Nishiki Iwai, sophomore catcher Kamea Leleiwi, sophomore first baseman Owen Smith, senior pitcher and infielder Lex Ni and sophomore left fielder Leon Kikukawa all logged two hits. Sophomore right fielder Asher Anderson, freshman third baseman Wyley Ament and senior designated hitter Miron Amanai added one hit each for Ka Makani. All in all, HPA posted 14 hits to Kohala’s four.

Ka Makani used four pitchers in the outing — Ni, junior Ed Lustik, Anderson and Iwai. The group of four combined for six strikeouts on five allowed hits.

Senior shortstop Hezekiah Wilson, senior third baseman Jayden Hook, first baseman S. Hook and right fielder H. Reyes all posted one hit each for the Cowboys. Reyes and K. Nakamura both pitched on the mound for Kohala.

HPA will look to keep riding its momentum with its next matchup at 1 p.m. Saturday vs. Ka‘u in Pahala. The Cowboys will have another shot to redeem themselves against HPA on Wednesday at home.