KEAAU — Keaau High School’s varsity softball team fell 15-5 at a road outing against Kamehameha Schools Hawaii on Saturday afternoon, in the first contest held on KSH’s new turf field.
The Cougars got off to a bumpy start as their first three batters were struck out by KSH starting pitcher Kahiwaleinaniokealoha Ili.
The Warriors took the lead in the bottom first, scoring four runs. Leadoff Emily Hora walked, then stole second and third before taking advantage of a wild pitch to cross the plate. Third at-bat Ili also walked, then stole two bases and was batted in by Rhian Ogawa. Rebeka Sipinga batted in Jane-Grace Cootey, then reached home during an error at first base.
Though the Cougars managed to get on base twice in the top second— with Tiana Kaupu stealing two bases —They could not score and the inning ended with two runners left on base.
The Cougars’ bottom second defense kept them in the game. On the mound, Kaupu notched two strikeouts and outfielder Lilia Kaupu caught a fly ball.
Despite the preceding defensive success, Keaau suffered a short top third with only one batter reaching base. Ili notched two more strikeouts, and the Cougars’ fourth batter flew out to Hora at shortstop.
KSH added another run in the bottom third when Ogawa batted in Ili, who reached third by stealing twice. Kaupu continued to hold down Keaau’s defense, striking out two, while another batter was put out at first by a throw from shortstop Jaeley Salazar.
In the top fourth, the Cougars proved that they were still in the game. Walks, two hit-by-pitches, several wild pitches and a fielder’s choice allowed Alana Smith and both Kaupus to score runs — reducing the Warriors’ lead to 5-3. Hora relieved Ili from the hill with one out on the board and struck out two batters.
KSH was unable to respond with any runs in the fourth inning. Kaiyana Troy led off and was put out at first, Hora was tagged out at second and Ili flew out to Smith.
The Warriors responded with another shutout in the top fifth. Hora struck out the first two batters and Kysha Carvalho was put out at first by a throw from Sipinga at third.
KSH bolstered its lead in the bottom fifth, scoring four runs with two outs on the scoreboard. Ogawa, Cootey, Sipinga and Xyliana Hoopai all scored runs — with a total of seven bases stolen between the four of them during the inning.
The Cougars chipped away at the Warriors’ lead again in the top sixth with two runs, scored by Smith and Tiani Kaupu. After one batter was put out at first by a throw from Sipinga, Hora struck out two to end Keaau’s run.
KSH concluded the game with a massive, six-run bottom sixth — cycling all the way through its batting order. The game was called when Ili stole home for her team’s 15th run.
Sipinga led the Warriors in the box, batting four-for-four with two runs and two RBI. Ili was a monstrous baserunner, stealing seven. In total, KSH stole 22 bases throughout the contest. Ili struck out seven batters, walking two, hitting one with a pitch and allowing one hit. Hora struck out seven batters, walked two and allowed no hits.
Tiani Kaupu went two-for-two at bat with a walk and two runs to lead the Cougars at bat. She also stole four bases.
KSH’s next outing will be March 22nd on the road against Kohala High. Keaau will travel to Ka‘u High School on Saturday for its next test.
