SOFTBALL: WAIAKEA 14 – KONA 1
Waiakea softball collected 16 hits in its 14-1 rout of Konawaena on Saturday.
The Warriors had a third-inning burst in the afternoon rout, scoring eight runs at the top of the frame. The Wildcats recorded 11 total errors, leaving Waiakea to advance across the diamond often.
Waiakea had five batters record at least two hits — Kaelyn Sewake, Keani Kaneshiro, Meghan Spencer, Tehani Chinen and Jhayda Rose Turner. Jayda Kaimi and Leia Tavares-Turalde also earned a base hit each.
Kaitlyn Miura was the winning pitcher in the circle for the Warriors, going five innings and allowing just two hits with four strikeouts.
On Kona’s side, Jamaica Moses and Alexa Tayamen were the only batters in the lineup who produced hits — collecting one apiece. Leilani Lebrun-Ward pitched in the circle for the Wildcats.
Waiakea (3-0-0) has had a strong start to its season, scoring 50 runs in its first three games and mercy-ruling its opponents in two of them. The Warriors will look to keep it going against Honoka‘a at 1 p.m. this afternoon in Hilo.
Konawaena (0-2-0) will seek redemption against local rival Kealakehe at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Waveriders’ home field.
BASEBALL: WAIAKEA 4 – KONA 3
Down 3-2 entering the seventh inning, Waiakea baseball responded with two runs in the seventh and eighth to escape Konawaena on Saturday.
The Warriors notched eight hits to the Wildcats’ seven. Ivor Brooks, Isaiah Justo, Kaleb Wada, Gavin Nishida, Boston Kobayashi, Kalama Ulibas and Teysen Tamiya all earned base hits for Waiakea. Kaleb Wada was awarded the winning pitcher — throwing two innings and allowing no runs to close the afternoon. The Warriors went to three other pitchers.
On the Wildcats’ side, Maika Akamu and Kainoa Lorenzo led the way with two hits apiece. Hayden Nishida, Kolt Baptista and Kainoa Smith also reached base with one hit each. Kona went through four pitchers — Koa Nakagawa, Amafala Marquard, K. Fukunaga and Jaeden Meyer.
Starting the year at 2-0-0, Waiakea will look to build on its early success against Honoka‘a this afternoon immediately following the softball game. The Warriors will be at home.
Kona (0-2-0) will travel across town to play the Waveriders of Kealakehe at 3 p.m. Wednesday in Kailua-Kona.