KEA‘AU — Kohala High’s baseball and softball teams made their second trip of the week to the isle’s east side, suffering a pair of losses to Kamehameha Schools – Hawai‘i on Saturday.
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SOFTBALL: KSH 5 – KOHALA 4
Despite an almost-successful comeback effort in the seventh inning, the Cowgirls fell just short to the Warriors — losing 5-4.
After a quick first inning that saw both teams go out in three straight batters, Kohala plated a run in the top of the second inning. KSH responded with two runs in the bottom frame.
After a scoreless third inning, the Cowgirls tied the game as Kaneesha Santiago batted in Kalia Marquez. The Warriors were again quick to respond — plating three more runs in the bottom frame to lead 5-2.
Kohala held KSH off for two innings, then nearly turned the tide of the game in the top seventh — scoring two runs. But, two flyouts and a strikeout — all in a row — left a runner on second and ended the Cowgirls’ chance for a comeback.
Emily Hora earned the win on the mound and notched six strikeouts.
Now 1-3 overall and 1-1 in BIIF DII, this was Kohala’s second one-run road loss this week — as the Cowgirls fell 10-9 to Hilo on Wednesday. Kohala will host its next outing, a non-division test against Waiakea High (3-0) and first of a four-game homestead that will conclude mid-April.
The win over the Cowgirls brought the Warriors up to .500 — both overall and in BIIF DII play — an important step in their recovery from a 0-2 start, during which they were outscored 37-9. Total in its last two wins, KSH has outscored opponents 27-6.
The Warriors will have plenty of preparation time before chasing a winning record at their next matchup, a home game against Ka‘u High (0-3) on March 26.
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BASEBALL: KSH 23 – KOHALA 0
Another outing became another rout for the Warriors’ baseball team — which obliterated Kohala High 23-0 in a three-inning BIIF DII matchup.
In less than a month of play, KSH has obtained a 5-0 overall record, 3-0 BIIF DII play record and outscored the competiton 68-3 — ending all but one game early via mercy rule.
Kohala’s defense had a very tough day, giving up all but eight runs unearned.
KSH ran through its batting order twice in the bottom of the first inning — during which Kaohu Kawelu hit a double and a two-run triple, Liwai Correa hit a three-run triple, Noah Palea hit a two-run triple and Elijah Okano hit a two-run double.
Keyan Kanahele pitched all three frames for KSH, surrendering no hits, striking out seven of 11 batters faced and throwing 35 strikes and 19 balls — all while giving up just two walks.
Next up, KS-Hawai‘i will face off against Pahoa High on Thursday at Walter Victor Baseball Complex in Hilo.
Kohala is now 0-3, and will look to try for its first win on Tuesday at home against Ka‘u High (2-1).