Facing elimination, Waiakea softball executed with its back against the wall in a big way.
The Lady Warriors routed Kealakehe 15-4 in Game 2 of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Division I softball semifinals on Saturday morning in Hilo town, tying the best-of-three series 1-1.
The decisive Game 3 that will determine who will take on unbeaten Hilo in Wednesday’s championship will take place at 3 p.m. this afternoon at Waiakea.
The Lady Warriors got on the board immediately in Game 2, as Lexi Santiago tripled to left field and first baseman Tehani Chinen and catcher Kaelyn Sewake both doubled to left — each scoring a run.
Sewake singled again in the second inning, adding two more runs. Waiakea got on the board again in the third once second baseman Keani Kaneshiro logged an RBI groundout. The Lady Warriors then added seven more runs over the next three innings, reaching the run rule after six innings.
Of Waiakea’s 10 hits, Chinen led the way with three of them, while Santiago and Sewake each had two. Kaneshiro, right fielder Jayda Kaimi and left fielder Tinei Soi each had one hit for the Lady Warriors
Kaitlyn Miura earned the win on the mound for the Lady Warriors, allowing four hits and four runs while striking out six. Miura leads her team in innings pitched (24.0), wins (three) and strikeouts (40). She also is posting a 2.63 ERA.
As the Lady ‘Riders’ leadoff batter, shortstop Rhianna Joaquin led her quad with two hits, followed by first baseman Freeda Tosie and first baseman Lai Micheli-Kaimola with one each.
Emalia Emmsley, who took the Game 1 win in the circle, was Kealakehe’s lone pitcher once again. Emmsley allowed 10 hits and 15 runs while striking out five in the loss. Emmsley has been the Lady ‘Riders ace all season, leading the team in innings pitched (45.0), wins (four) and strikeouts (44) while posting a 3.58 ERA.
See the paper Wednesday for Game 3 coverage.
