HILO — With its back against the wall, second-seeded Waiakea softball’s bats caught fire at the perfect time.
Down 11-8 to No. 3 Kealakehe through 5.5 innings in Game 3 on Monday in Hilo town, the Lady Warriors drove in 10 runs in the bottom of the sixth — clinching the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) Division I semifinal series 2-1 and advancing to today’s island championship against unbeaten Hilo.
It was the second straight win for Waiakea, who fell to the Lady Waveriders in Game 1. The Lady Waveriders improved to 8-3 on the season, while defending BIIF DI champion Kealakehe’s season ended at 5-6.
The Lady ‘Riders struck first in the opening inning after Emalia Emmsley and Katherine Keizer singled and Zuleika Isisaki and La‘i Micheli-Kaimola were struck by pitches — each scoring a run.
The Lady Warriors marched back in the second inning due to singles from Kaelyn Sewake, Lexi Santiago and Tehani Chinen. Santiago and Chinen then added RBI singles in the bottom of the third, extending Waiakea’s lead to 8-5.
But like all game long, Kealakehe had an answer. The Lady ‘Riders responded with a six-run fourth inning that was spearheaded by an Isisaki RBI double that drove in two runs. Kealakehe then had the three-run lead late into the contest.
Soon enough, however, the Lady Warriors erupted to take control of the outcome. Santiago launched a three-run homer to left in the sixth, setting the tone for the 10-run outburst that sealed the win.
Waiakea logged 15 hits to Kealakehe’s nine. Santiago, Chinen and Meghan Spencer all had three hits, while teammate Keani Kaneshiro logged two of her own. Sewake, E-Nea Luther, Jayda Kaimi and Rmi Dekoning rounded out the rest of the Lady Warriors’ hits with one apiece.
Spencer also earned the win on the mound, allowing nine hits and 11 runs while striking out four. She holds a 4-1 record with a 4.58 ERA and 22 strikeouts in 2024-25.
The Lady ‘Riders were led by Emmsley, Kaizer and Jalia Akamu with two hits each. Isisaki. Teammates Rhianna Joaquin and Freeda Tosie added one hit each.
Emmsley was the sole pitcher in the circle for Kealakehe. Emmsley led her group in innings pitched (57.0), wins (four) and strikeouts (50).
Waiakea’s final test of island play will be against the Vik Queens at 1 p.m. this afternoon at Kealakehe High School. The Lady Warriors have struggled against their local rival this season, currently posting an 0-2 record against Hilo.
The BIIF DII championship between No. 1 Kohala and No. 2 Kamehameha-Hawaii will be at 11 a.m. this morning at Kealakehe. The DII third-place matchup between No. 4 Pahoa and No. 3 Honoka‘a is at 3 p.m. this afternoon on the Hamakua Coast.