Kalaheo’s hit barrage sinks Honokaa

By KEVIN JAKAHI

Tribune-Herald sports writer

WAIPAHU — Kayla Requelman got Honokaa off to a good start, cracking a three-run homer in the top of the first inning.

Then it was Kalaheo’s turn to bat and the hits never stopped coming.

The Mustangs enjoyed a 14-hit parade and outslugged the Dragons 12-4 in the first round of the Division II state softball tournament on Wednesday at Central Oahu Regional Park.

Honokaa’s second straight trip to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association was an endurance of pitching survival, especially for starter Kayla Kalauli, who was in constant trouble.

In five innings, the sophomore right-hander surrendered 12 runs — two unearned — on 14 hits and three walks. She struck out none, which meant the Mustangs hit the ball — often and through holes.

Haley Paglinawan pitched a scoreless sixth, striking out two. But Kalaheo (11-4), the Oahu Interscholastic Association runner-up, already held a comfortable cushion.

That was enough for Mahina Turner, who got roughed up but earned the win in four innings. She yielded four runs on five hits and three walks, and struck out three. Sarah Fitzherbert-Velasco cleaned up with two scoreless innings.

Requelman was 1 for 2 with three RBIs, Allie Shiraki and Kawehi Bell-Ka‘akuahiwi each went 2 for 2 to lead the Dragons, who lost two straight at states last year: 10-6 to St. Francis and 7-1 to Molokai.

Tiana Cocker batted 3 for 4 with three RBIs to lead the Mustangs.

The Dragons (8-8), the Big Island Interscholastic Federation’s No. 3 team, scratched hits off Turner, but also couldn’t keep pace with Kalaheo’s offensive onslaught.

The Mustangs scored seven in the first, helped by four hits and three errors, and three in the second, knocking the Dragons into a deep hole — turning a memorable start into an frustrating and unenjoyable finish.

Honokaa and Kohala, two BIIF Westside foes, will play at 5 p.m. today in an elimination game.

Honokaa 300 100 0 — 4 6 5

Kalaheo 730 020 x — 12 14 0