HILO — The Ka‘u High School varsity baseball team suffered a 5-1 loss to Hilo High School Friday evening.
The Trojans suffered a short top first inning, with the first two batters put out at first base — first by a pass from shortstop Legend Lancaster to first-baseman Dylan Villanueva, then from pitcher Nathaniel Freeman to Villanueva.
In the bottom first, Kameron Agpalza led off with a double to right outfield— then was sent home by a single from two-hole Makenna Wakakuwa. Outfielder Eddie Wirtz caught two flyouts, foreshadowing how the rest of the game would see Ka‘u’s outfielders coming in clutch.
Freeman struck out three consecutive batters to end the top second in what felt like an instant.
Villanueva and Koa Marzo each scored runs in the bottom second. The first-baseman touched base after getting hit by a pitch and Marzo singled. Hilo replaced many of its starters with second-stringers in the third inning, who remained on the field for the rest of the contest.
The Trojans scored their first run in the top third. With the bases loaded, Jycetin Mukin walked to send the first batter across the plate.
After several scoreless innings, the Vikings put up two more runs in the bottom sixth. Marzo and Logan Schlueter each crossed the plate, each getting on base via single before being sent home by Nui Sato’s double. The Vikings hit deep, but Ka‘u’s outfielders notched a total of eight flyouts throughout the match.
Hilo’s next field appearance will be Tuesday afternoon at Kealakehe High School. Ka‘u will seek a win Wednesday afternoon at Waiakea High School.