Waiakea High School’s varsity softball team dealt visitor Kohala High School an 11-3 loss Friday afternoon.
The Warriors’ defense held the Cowgirls scoreless in the first inning. Starting pitcher Meghan Spencer struck out two batters and walked two, and second-baseman Madisen Kedani caught a flyball.
In the bottom first, Kaylee Aiona singled with two outs — then crossed home after Tehani Chinen doubled. Kohala third-baseman Trinity-Lee Kearne threw to first-baseman Faith Alejandri-Cazinero to put out Waiakea’s five-hole, ending the inning.
The Cowgirls evened the score in the second inning when Alejandro-Cazinero reached the plate during an error at second base, where the Warriors attempted to put out a runner.
Waiakea responded with a four-run second inning, which featured a two-RBI double by Jayda Kaimi and a two-RBI single by Kaylee Aiona. Going into the third inning, the Warriors led 5-1.
The Cowgirls did not respond at bat during the top third, with their first three batters flying out.
The Warriors continued to be an offensive force in their next turn at bat — scoring three more runs with triples by Spencer, Korri Fernandez and Keani Kaneshiro.
After walking to first, Kohala’s Megan Hoopai stole her way to third and reached home when Huvia Cernejo hit a groundball past third before being put out at first for the inning’s second out. The Cowgirls’ fourth inning ended with a flyout caught by Kaneshiro.
In the bottom fourth, pitcher Jaylah Kekoah made two big plays for Kohala — catching a lineout from the Warriors’ first batter and throwing to first to put out the next batter. Waiakea’s Tehani Chinen singled, but a lineout at second base ended the Warriors’ turn in just four batters.
The Cowgirls reduced Waiakea’s lead to 8-3 in the top fifth when Hoopai batted in Camille Fuertes for the only run of the inning.
In the bottom fifth, Kohala ended Waiakea’s turn at bat even faster than the last inning. Kekoah and shortstop Hoopai each threw to first to put out the first two batters, then the inning ended when Waiakea’s third batter flew out to Kekoah.
Despite two consecutive dominant performances on defense, the Cowgirls did not follow up on offense. Relief pitcher Kaitlyn Manra struck out Kohala’s leadoff, then caught a fly from the next hitter. After Sydnie Marquez was walked, a flyout to Fernandez in the outfield concluded the top sixth.
The Warriors redefined their lead in the bottom sixth, scoring three runs. Aiona tripled, Chinen sent Aiona home with a single — and after stealing second, Chinen was batted in by Darci Kaina’s double.
Waiakea ended the game with two strikeouts by Manra and a runner put out at third by a throw from Kaina behind the plate.
Kaimi touched base four times in four at-bats to lead the Warriors, singling three times and reaching first on an error during her final turn at the plate — scoring three runs for the game.
Chinen and Aiona each went three for four at bat, with two runs by Aiona and one by Chinen.
Spencer earned the win for Waiakea — striking out three batters, walking four, hitting one with a pitch and allowing no hits.
Hoopai led Kohala at bat, going one for two and walking twice.
The Cowgirls totaled eight stolen bases, while the Warriors stole two.
Waiakea will be back in action Wednesday for a road match against Hilo High School.
