By MATT GERHART
By MATT GERHART
Tribune-Herald sports writer
After an early exit at last year’s Big Island Interscholastic Federation softball tournament and some rough play in the preseason, Hilo coach Leo Sing Chow shifted her mindset entering the Vikings’ season opener.
“Instead of focusing on BIIFs and winning games,” Sing Chow said, “the goal is just to improve and then wins will happen.”
The Vikings accomplished both those feats Friday at Walter Victor Stadium.
Ashlyn Kaneshiro struck out eight and gutted out a complete game, and Hilo scrapped together three runs in the fourth inning en route to a 4-2 victory against Kamehameha.
When it was over, Hilo played music over the loudspeaker and ran the bases relay style.
“It wasn’t punishment, just something that we’ve decided to to do this year to stay in shape and maintain,” Sing Chow said. “We had a rough beginning (in the preseason), but today was definitely a better showing. They played well.”
Kaneshiro said she appreciated the extra postgame conditioning, especially after she battled with control issues and fatigue in the top of the seventh against the Warriors (0-2). After walking the bases loaded, the senior retired Janell Cameros on a flyout to left to end the game.
“You could see in Ashlyn’s eyes that she wanted to finish it,” Sing Chow said.
Kaneshiro allowed an RBI triple to Kamehameha senior Kiani Wong in the fourth, but she got key outs when she needed them, stranding seven runners over the last four innings.
“I just had to focus a little more and push myself a little more, especially when my lower half (started to tire),” said Kaneshiro, who yielded three earned runs on seven hits and five walks. “I just do my work and let my team do their work.”
Sophomore Shyanne Higa-Gonsalves was 2 for 4 with an RBI single in the fourth for Hilo, and senior Tracee Fukunaga and junior Fantacie Keahilihau-Kuamoo were both 2 for 3.
Keahilihau-Kuamoo opened the fourth with a single, then Hilo played small ball and used bunts by freshman Caitlyn Price, the No. 5 hitter, and junior Wendilyn Simmons to tie the game. Junior Seini Nau tacked on an RBI single.
“We definitely have some power, but I like to play the short game, even with our strongest hitters,” Sing Chow said. “It’s about doing what we need to do to generate runs.”
Price collected an RBI single in the fifth.
In her first high school start, freshman Samantha Simmons went six innings and allowed eight hits and only one walk with six strikeouts.
“We wanted her to be around he plate, and that’s what she did,” first-year Kamehameha coach Garry Ahu said.
The Warriors played much crisper than they did Wednesday in a 14-2 loss to Pahoa, a game in which Ahu said his team was missing three starters.
Wong, who’s moved to shortstop after starting in the circle the past three seasons, was 2 for 4 and also had a triple, and Simmons was 2 for 3.
The Warriors cut the lead to 4-2 on two Hilo fielding errors to open the sixth, but with two runners aboard, Kaneshiro struck out Taylor Uratani to end the inning.
Kaneshiro added a double from the No. 2 spot.
“Defintely,” she said when asked if the Vikings had shown glimpses of improvement. “With the short preseason, we just needed time to jell.”
Kamehameha 000 101 0 — 2 7 3
Hilo 000 310 x —4 8 3
Kealakehe 6, Kohala 0: Senior Summer McEntee fired a four-hit shutout, striking out eight and walking just one for the host Waveriders.
Junior Ashley Isisaki went 2-for-3, racing home from third base on a sacrifice fly by junior outfielder Ketura Mattos to score the first run of the game in the second inning before capping the scoring with a two-out RBI double in the fifth.
Senior Nicole Rivera highlighted Kealakehe’s four-run fifth inning with a two-run double, and Leisha Nakagawa had a run-scoring single in the second for the Waveriders (1-0).
Senior Chyler Imai, who also went the distance in the circle, took the loss for Kohala (0-1). She yielded five hits, striking out four and walking two.
Junior Tiani Luga had a double for the Cowgirls, roping the ball over center fielder Taylor Kurashige’s head in the fourth inning and trying to reach third. But second baseman Lina Palmer-Kahananui, who received Kurashige’s cutoff throw, gunned down Luga at third.
Kohala 000 000 0 — 0 4 4
Kealakehe 020 040 x — 6 5 1
c Waiakea 7, Pahoa 2: Senior Chelsea Camello pitched a complete-game four-hitter, and she also went 2-for-2 with an RBI for the host Warriors.
Camello walked just one batter and struck out eight for Waiakea (1-0), which mustered just three hits but generated offense by showing patience at the plate.
Eight Warriors drew walks against Daggers senior pitcher Vaaigaomata Wilson, and four of those baserunners scored.
Senior Anela Granito-Wallace had three RBIs, coming through with a two-run single in the fifth inning and a sacrifice fly in the fourth.
Wilson, who struck out three batters and also roped a double at the plate, took the loss for Pahoa (0-1).
Pahoa 000 000 2 — 2 4 4
Waiakea 102 130 x — 7 3 1