Hilo High Schools’ baseball team continued its strong start to the season, crushing visiting Kohala High 16-1 in a rain-soaked, run-ruled four-inning matchup on Wednesday evening at Francis Wong Stadium in Hilo.
The game was over almost as soon as it began. Hilo sophomore Rory Crabbe got the start on the mound, and ended the top of the first inning quickly — surrendering one hit, striking out a batter and inducing a flyout and a groundout.
The Vikings ran through their lineup and plated nine runs in the bottom frame — led by senior Legend Lancaster with a double, a single and three RBIs.
The Cowboys couldn’t get much going in the top second, as Crabbe struck out three batters. However, Kohala managed to tighten its defense in the bottom second. Hilo eked out another run as Logan Schlueter doubled, then got batted in by Jarren Sakamoto’s single — while Kohala’s Hezekiah Wilson struck out one batter and induced two groundouts.
The top third was another rough frame for the Cowboys. Isaac Libron-Salvador walked, but was the only batter to touch base as Crabbe notched two more strikeouts and another batter grounded out.
Hilo plated another five runs in the bottom third, with six batters in a row touching base — including hits by Zion Palea, Koa Marzo, Schleuter, and Hatayama before Wilson got two strikeouts in a row. Lancaster notched his third hit and Palea walked, then Wilson fanned a third batter to end the frame.
Wyatt Rabang scored Kohala’s first run during the top of the fourth inning. Rabang led off as the first of three consecutive batters to get walked, then made it home as a batter flew out to left field and the outfielder threw to second for a double-play.
The game was called in the bottom fourth after Agpalza singled to bat in Marzo.
Lancaster went three-for-four to lead Hilo at the plate. Palea went one-for-one with a double and three walks — and Marzo went two-for-three, also reaching on an error once.
Crabbe earned the win on the mound, surrendering one hit and five walks while striking out seven in four innings.
Hilo moved to 3-0 in non-division BIIF play, and will play its first BIIF Division I matchup next Wednesday (March 20) at Wong Stadium against Kea‘au High (0-2).
Now 0-2, Kohala also has yet to begin division play. The Cowboys will make another southward trip tomorrow (Saturday, March 16) to play at KS-Hawai‘i (4-0) in their first DII matchup.
