KAPAAU — The Kamehameha Schools Hawaii varsity baseball team defeated Kohala High School 15-0 in four innings Wednesday afternoon.
Liwai Correa led off in the box for the Warriors in the top of the first inning and walked before stealing second and third. Two-hole Kaohu Kawelu also walked, then he and Correa were batted in by a double from Dominic Christensen. Dylan Hanson walked, then Kohala starting pitcher Isaac Librum struck out the next batter. Hanson was tagged out between first and second on a fielder’s choice as Braden Gomes touched first, then the frame turned over as the following batter was put out by first-baseman Trycen Alejandro — assisted by shortstop Hezekiah Wilson.
The Cowboys went to bat facing a 2-0 deficit in the bottom first. Their first two batters hit flyouts to Kawelu at second and Correa at shortstop. After hitting Wilson with a pitch, Kekama Robello notched a strikeout to end the inning.
The Warriors increased their lead to 6-0 in the top of the second inning. Brayden Malani and Kydyn Nakamura each walked, then the following batter flew out to center outfield. Kawelu singled to send home Malani, who had advanced on steals and the flyout. Christensen singled to bat in Nakamura and Kawelu, then was batted in by a single from Hanson. A lineout to Librum and a flyout to outfielder Skyler Caravalho ended KSH’s run.
In the bottom second, Kohala’s first batter was put out at first — assisted by Kawelu at second. Carvalho walked, then the next batter was also put out at first base — this time assisted from third by Gomes. Just like his last turn on the mound, Robello wrapped up with a strikeout.
Repeating the last inning, Malani and Nakamura walked to start off the top third. Correa also walked to load the bases, then Kawelu hit a two-RBI single — followed by a RBI-single by Christensen. On the mound, Wilson assisted a putout at first and struck out the following batter to put two outs on the board. Gomes grounded infield, and an error allowed him to reach first and Christensen’s courtesy runner — Iokepa Martines — to cross home plate. Pola walked, then a putout at first assisted by the catcher turned over the inning with KSH leading 11-0.
The Cowboys suffered a short bottom third. The first two batters were struck out by relief pitcher Elijah Okano and the third flew out to Kawelu.
Nakamura led off the top fourth with a single. Correa walked, then he and Nakamura advanced on a passed ball while Kawelu was at bat — who then walked. With the bases loaded, Christensen reached first on an error and batted in Nakamura.
Another error allowed Correa to score, then an infield fly marked the first out. Kawelu was batted in by Palea, who was put out at first. A double by Gomes sent Martinez home, then a strikeout closed the top fourth.
Okano ended the game with three consecutive strikeouts in the bottom fourth.
Christensen led KSH at bat, going three-for-three with two singles and a double. Kawelu went two-for-two with four runs, walking twice.
Robello and Okano held the Cowboys to no hits. Robello struck out two batters and Okano struck out five.
Kohala will seek redemption Saturday afternoon at Kea‘au High School, starting at 1 p.m.
The Warriors, now 4-0, will look to continue their win streak 1 p.m. Monday at Honoka‘a High School.
