Ranchell Berinobis and Erleen Oguma endured their fair share of losses during their playing careers at Pahoa.
In their first game with Keaau, they made all the difference in helping the Cougars get off to a winning start to the BIIF season. Berinobis went 3 for 5 with four RBIs, and Oguma collected two hits and drove in three runs as Keaau held off Kohala 13-12 in Kapaau.
Each of the first-time Cougars tripled in back of a longtime Cougar. Lohi Kamakea-Wong started her fourth season as Keaau’s ace with a complete game, though she had to battle until the final out.
Taking over a program that went to the HHSAA Division II tournament last season, first-year Cowboys coach Joby Amaral enjoyed his team’s effort.
“It was a heart-breaker. But we’re young and just looking for unity within the game,” he said. “We want them to play through the whole game.”
Kohala did, and it almost came away with a victory.
Tomiko Coito hit a two-run home run in the sixth to get Kohala within 13-12 after Keaau went ahead with a five-run rally in the top of the sixth. The Cowgirls put two runners on base in the seventh before Kamakea-Wong got the final out on a grounder to first base.
The senior walked two and struck out two.
Kohala freshman Antoinette Fernandez also went the distance in the circle. She walked two and struck out two and was hurt by six hit batters and four Kohala errors.
A handful off Cowgirls had big days at the plate, led by Setsuko Kimura, who posted a double and a triple among her three hits and had three RBIs. Ashlyn Van Zandt and Tiana Alejandro had two hits apiece.
Berinobis and Oguma each transferred from Pahoa because of the threat of the June 27 lava flow.
Keaau 205 105 0 –13 10 1
Kohala 150 402 0 –12 11 4
• Hilo 13, Hawaii Prep 3: Zoe Carbaloc scattered six hits, struck out five and walked two to earn a six-inning TKO win.
Shalyn Guthier had a pair of triples and two RBIs and Moana Pinner had two hits for the Vikings.
Keola Stevens was the losing pitcher.
Taimoni Kamaka batted 3 for 4 and Kaia’i Linsey paired hits for HPA.
HPA 011 100 – 3
Hilo 450 004–13
• Konawaena 21, Pahoa 0: Shyla Victor accounted for four hits and six runs in the Wildcats’ opening day win at the Daggers’ field. Victor did most of her damage with a pair of doubles, one in the first inning and one in the third.
Sierra Amor and Kiersen Kawehi Kahele picked up three hits each. Kahele had a triple and a double, while knocking in three runs and scoring once. Amor had three singles and a walk, knocked in one run and scored all four times she reached base. Tizah Kaluna and Jyssa Asuncion-Grace reached base three times. Both had two walks and a hit.
Victor picked up the victory inside the circle. She allowed three hits, while striking out four and walking one in a complete game.
Konawaena 4 8 4 5 —21 16 0
Pahoa 0 0 0 0 —0 3 3
• Kealakehe 17, Ka’u 2: Leisha Nakagawa had two hits, including a homer, and Breanna McLeod also homered to power the Waveriders to a TKO victory.
Kiara Cantiberos pitched three innings of two-run ball for the win at Pahala. Kelina Palmer tossed the final inning.
Tavian Taketa had two hits for Kealakehe, which led 9-1 after two innings.
Sheri Lynn Freitas took the loss for the Trojans.
Sky Kanakaole-Esperon had two hits for Ka‘u.
Kealakehe 364 4 —17 9 x
Ka’u 011 0 — 2 3 x
