BIIF softball: Kohala slips past Konawaena in pitcher’s duel

If Kohala can get a little help, its win Thursday against Konawaena could take on greater meaning.

The Cowgirls Mikayla Kekoa and Wildcats’ Shaylann Marie Grace battled pitch for pitch in a duel on the diamond in Kapaau. Kekoa got the best of Grace in the BIIF softball battle as the Cowgirls slipped by the Wildcats 2-1.

Kekoa threw all seven innings, striking out six and issuing no free passes. She allowed one unearned run on four hits. Grace picked up the loss despite her solid effort, allowing two runs, one earned, off four hits. She struck out four and walked two.

Third-place Kohala (8-4) retained it hopes of hosting the BIIF Division II semifinals by handing Konawaena (9-2) just its second loss. On Saturday, the Wildcats visit Kamehameha (7-1).

The Cowgirls took an early 1-0 lead in the game when Symphony Kauanoe beat out an infield hit, advanced to third on a Kekoa single to right and scored when Keiko Yamura also singled to right. The damage came with two outs in the inning.

Konawaena tied the game in the top of the second. Kaimana Manzano reached on an error by the second baseman and moved to third on a single to right by Erin Kaimuloa Bates. She scored when Sierra Amor beat out out a double play attempt by the Kohala defense. Amor led the offense as the only multi-hit player from either team.

The Cowgirls took the lead again in the bottom of the fourth inning. Ceejay Agbayani reached on a walk with one out. After the second out, Nicole Castillo reached on an error by the shortstop, which allowed Abayahi to round the bases and score the eventual winning run.

Kamehameha 31, Pahoa 0

Brooke Baptiste pitched three hitless inning with six strikeouts and drove in five run at the plate as the Warriors won at home.

Ashlyn Wengler homered for the Warriors with three RBIs, Taylor Sullivan drove in five runs and Kiarra Lincoln, Jessica Cameros and Nevaeh Fukui-Stoos finished with three RBIs apiece.