HILO — Kayla Requelman hit a three-run homer and drove in six runs, and Precious Palea-Enos weathered a storm on the mound as visiting Honokaa held off Waiakea 13-12 in eight innings Saturday in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation softball
HILO — Kayla Requelman hit a three-run homer and drove in six runs, and Precious Palea-Enos weathered a storm on the mound as visiting Honokaa held off Waiakea 13-12 in eight innings Saturday in a Big Island Interscholastic Federation softball game.
Requelman, a hard-hitting sophomore catcher, also had a two-run triple and a run-scoring single to lead the Dragons’ 12-hit attack. She had three straight hits before flying out to deep center field with two runners aboard in the fifth inning.
“She’s a good hitter,” Honokaa coach Wesley Fujimoto said. “That’s why we have her batting in the three spot. Sometimes she tries too hard. We just want her to make contact.”
In the top of the eighth, the Dragons (1-2 BIIF, 4-2 overall) scored the decisive run. Kaitlin Agustin and Zarina Hasegawa drew back-to-back walks and moved up a base on a wild pitch from Waiakea starter Alexis Anzai. After Jasmine Castro popped up to Waiakea catcher Ariana Mareko, Warriors coach Bo Saiki replaced Anzai with Brandi Maximo.
But Palea-Enos answered with an RBI single to put the Dragons on top.
In the bottom of the eighth, Palea-Enos got a pop-up and a grounder for two quick outs. However, pinch-hitter Chelsey Ah Sui drew a walk and stole second, and Anzai walked. But Requelman threw out Ah Sui trying to steal third.
Trailing 12-9, Waiakea (2-1 BIIF, 4-3 overall) had tied the game in the bottom of the seventh, when Elizabeth Sakamoto singled and sprinted to second base on Kyleigh Kahala-Giron’s bunt single. Cheylee Octavio then drilled a two-run double as Waiakea closed to within 12-11. Taylor Nishimura was beaned as Octavio looked on from second.
That brought Maximo to the plate, and the Warriors’ shortstop lined an RBI single to center field to tie the score at 12. The hosts attempted a squeeze play with Mareko at bat, but Nishimura was caught sliding into home plate to end the inning.
Palea-Enos pitched 6 1/3 innings to earn the win. She allowed 10 hits while striking out two and walking five.
Anzai went 7 1/3 innings and took the loss while battling the whole way to give her team a chance to win. She allowed 12 runs on 11 hits to go along with two strikeouts and two walks.
Kalauli (two RBIs) and Allie Shiraki each joined Requelman with productive 3-for-5 afternoons. Bird had two hits, including a double and a triple.
Nishimura (four RBIs), Octavio (three RBIs) and Maximo (double, triple, RBI) each had two hits for Waiakea.
Honokaa 320 600 11 — 13 12 2
Waiakea 030 303 30 — 12 11 1
