KEALAKEHE — Kealakehe softball trounced Kohala on Saturday by a score of 17-0 through five innings, qualifying for the mercy rule. It was the Waveriders’ second win of the early season.
Kealakehe totaled 17 hits in the offensive outburst, including four batters with at least three hits — Rihanna Joaquin, Emalia Emmsley, Freeda Tosie and Katherine Keizer. Emmsley recorded a game-high four RBI. Malia Polimino, Emmsley and Tosie all hit two doubles apiece.The ‘Riders additionally hit two triples — one from Joaquin and the other from Keizer.
Emmsley was also the game’s winning pitcher, throwing three innings and striking out five in the shutout.
Caitlyn Nakamura closed things out for the blue and white, earning the save through two innings pitched and allowing just two hits in the circle.
The Cowgirls, on the other side, tallied five hits. Camille Fuertes and Mahea Pang hit two each, while Liuvia Cornejo hit one. Kalia Marquez was Kohala’s sole pitcher of the afternoon.
Kealakehe (2-0-0) will look to keep its hot start going against Pahoa at 1 p.m. this afternoon at the Walter Victor Baseball Complex. The Cowgirls (1-1-0) will head over to Hilo to play the Vikings at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
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BASEBALL: KSH 13 – HPA 2
In mercy-rule fashion, KS-Hawai‘i baseball routed Hawaii Prep 13-2 on Friday in Waimea.
Ka Makani’s pitching was the difference in the matchup, as HPA walked 12 Warriors batters. The red and white went through four different pitchers throughout the afternoon — Alex Goodman, Asher Anderson, Ed Lustik and Nainoa Hummel. Ka Makani totaled three hits from Justice Carino, Kamea Leieiwi and Ed Lustik.
KSH recorded six hits, with Dominic Christensen leading the way with two. Shiloh Santos, Kamaka Ili, Liwai Correa and Braden Gomes batted one apiece.
Santos was additionally the winning pitcher, striking out seven through three innings.
Starting the year unbeaten at 3-0-0, the Warriors will aim to keep it going against Kea‘au at 3 p.m. today at the Cougars’ home field. HPA (0-2-0) won’t play until March 27 against Kohala at home.
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BASEBALL: KEALAKEHE 17 – KOHALA 2
Immediately following Kealakehe softball’s dominant win over Kohala, the ‘Riders baseball team followed suit — beating the Cowboys 17-2 in mercy-rule fashion.
Kealakehe will return to the diamond at 3 p.m. today against Pahoa at Walter Victor. Kohala will face Hilo at 3 p.m. Wednesday on the road.
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OTHER GAMES
West Hawaii Today and Hawaii Tribune Herald could not obtain the final score(s) for the following weekend baseball/softball games by Monday afternoon, March 11. For readers that have the results, please email clangs@westhawaiitoday.com or cwhitt@hawaiitribune-herald.com:
3/9 Hilo softball at Ka‘u