Honoka‘a and Waiakea softball and baseball kicked off Big Island Interscholastic Federation’s week of sports by facing off Monday in Hilo.
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SOFTBALL: WAIAKEA 13, HONOKA‘A 2
To start the afternoon, Waiakea softball continued its monstrous start to 2024 with a convincing 13-2 win over Honoka‘a in five quick innings. The Warriors posted 13 hits to the Dragons’ two.
Waiakea second baseman Keani Kaneshiro led with a game-high three hits, including a triple. Teammates Lexi Santiago, Meghan Spencer and Tehani Chinen collected two hits each. Right fielder Kaelyn Sewake and catcher Jhayda Rose Turner also got on base with one hit apiece for the Warriors.
Spencer also pitched in the circle for Waiakea, going five innings and allowing just two hits with six strikeouts.
Catcher Kanai Tolentino and shortstop Kaimi Johnson recorded the only two hits for Honoka‘a. The Dragons went through two pitchers — Marie Espejo and Kayliah Kauahi.
Through their first four games, the Warriors have outscored opponents 63-4 — with three of the matchups ending in mercy rule. Officially halfway through the regular-season slate, Waiakea (4-0-0) will travel across island to Kohala to take on the Cowgirls at 11 a.m. Friday on the road.
Honoka‘a will aim to get back in the win column with a home game at 11 a.m. Saturday against Konawaena at the Dragons’ home field.
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BASEBALL: WAIAKEA 10, HONOKA‘A 0
Later in the afternoon, Waiakea baseball routed Honoka‘a in five innings by a score of 10-0. The Warriors notched nine hits to the Dragons’ three. Waiakea scored at least two runs in every inning it batted.
Shortstop Ivor Brooks, third baseman Isaiah Justo and right fielder Kalama Ulibas led with a game-high three hits apiece for the Warriors. Pitcher Caleb Wada, pitcher Jerell Alston and center fielder Toren Segovia also added a hit apiece for Waiakea.
Wada and Alston were also the Warriors’ primary pitchers through the afternoon, allowing no runs with five collective strikeouts.
On Honoka‘a’s side, pitcher Josiah Napoleon-Umeda, catcher Isaac DeRego and outfielder Kinohi Lindsey each earned a hit apiece for the Dragons’ only offense. Napoleon-Umeda was Honoka‘a’s only pitcher of the outing.
Now at 3-0-0, Waiakea will look to stay unbeaten against Kohala — with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday in Kapaau. Honoka‘a will next host Konawaena at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Dragons’ home field.