When Kohala wasn’t hitting, it was taking advantage of errors and bases on balls, defeating Konawaena 16-6 in Kealakekua to take sole possession of second place in BIIF Division II softball.
The 10-run, five-inning TKO differential was the closest of the five games played Thursday.
Mikayla Kekoa hit a two-run double in the second as the Cowgirls (8-5) scored five times, and Jurnee Keawe singled twice in the fifth to fuel and nine-run rally.
Ryah Manning also stroked a two-run double for Kohala, which moved a game ahead of Honokaa and the Wildcats in the race for the No. 2 seed, which earns home-field advantage in the BIIF semifinal playoff series.
Kohala finishes the regular season with a home game Saturday against Hilo and road contests at Hawaii Prep on Monday and Ka’u on April 9.
Konawaena (7-6) equaled Kohala’s seven hits, but the Wildcats committed seven errors and starter Tiani Lastimosa walked 10 batters.
Konawaena’s offense finally got going in the fifth, with Teizha Kaluna and Kaimana Joy Manzano ripping two-run doubles of Symphony Kauanoe. Daycee Lei McKee-Haalili’o tripled to lead off the fourth and scored on Magedlynn Anuntak’s double.
Kekoa started and pitched 1 1/3 innings and allowed a hit, and Kauanoe worked 3 1/3, striking out three and allowing six runs on four walks and six hits.
Of the 13 runs charged to Lastimosa, only one was earned.
Kohala 050 29 – 16 7 2
Konawaena 000 15 – 6 7 7
Kealakehe 16, HPA 1, 4 inn.
The Waveriders (9-1) collected 10 hits and got 3 RBIs each from Brei McLeod and Leina’ala Pertubal for the run-rule shortened game at Old Kona Airport Park.
Kiara Cantiberos picked up the complete game win, striking out three while allowing just one earned run and three hits.
Jordan Zarate, Sakura Remsen and Sara Heymann had hits for Ka Makani, who fall to 1-10 this season.
Kamehameha 23, Pahoa 1, 4 inn.
Elexis Emmsley and Brooke Baptiste each homered as the visiting Warriors finished with 24 hits to move another step closer to a second consecutive undefeated regular season.
Taylor Sullivan struck out seven in four innings and allowed three hits in victory.
Emmsley, Makena Wagner and Kiana Muranaka collected three hits apiece for Kamehameha (13-0), and Kuuleianuenue Ili, Maya Kalalau and Baptiste each had two.
Jade Aiona hit an RBI single for the Daggers (3-9), while Tiana Kapumau took the loss.
Kamehameha 3478 – 23 24 0
Pahoa 100 0 – 1 3 7
Waiakea 14, Keaau 3, 5 inn.
Kristi Hirata earned the road victory as the Warriors (8-2) remained a game behind Kealakehe for first place in Division I.
Caitlyn Calhoun was the losing pitcher for the Cougars (3-7).
Hilo 17, Ka’u 3, 4 inn.
Shalyn Guthier and Gaylynn Ha each hit home runs in Pahala for the Vikings, who evened their record at 5-5.
Guthier was the winning pitcher, giving up a home run to Teresia Wajar.
Sheri Freitas took the loss for the Trojans (0-13).
