Talk to Loni Mercado for roughly five seconds, and it’s clear the first-year coach holds unwavering belief in her Kealakehe softball team.
The Waveriders’ belief in themselves might not be as instantaneous, but watch them play for a bit and it appears they are getting to that point, too.
Further evidence that Mercado might have much more than just another BIIF Division I also-ran on her hands came Monday when Kealakehe doubled up on Hilo, 8-4, at Walter Victor Stadium.
“These girls are my sisters,” said four-year starter Tavian Taketa, pointing to her dugout. “They are my family.”
The game appeared headed for a slugfest after the Waveriders (6-1) led 4-2 after the first inning, but both pitchers settled in the middle innings, and Kealakehe broke a tie in the sixth with an opportunistic three-run rally to bolster its chances of hosting a BIIF semifinal series.
A game behind first-place Waiakea in the loss column, Kealakehe moved three games ahead of the third-place Vikings (3-4), and it owns the head-to-head tiebreaker after beating Hilo for the second time in 10 days.
“My team is just as amazing as I always think they are,” Mercado said. “They are buying in and that is what it’s about.”
Kiara Cantiberos struck out six in a complete game and didn’t allow a run after Hilo tied the game in the third inning on Patricia Marcus’ RBI single.
Kealakehe didn’t hit the ball out of the infield in scoring three times in the sixth. Brittney Keaunui coaxed a walk against Zoe Cabarloc, Jami Tan reached on an infield single and both scored on a three-base throwing error.
Cantiberos retired eight of the final nine batters she faced, allowing eight hits with only one walk. The Waveriders committed just one error.
“She always comes through for us and she’s starting to really let go and trust her defense,” Mercado said. “She’s a workhorse.”
Taketa watched Waiakea, Hilo and Keaau gobble up the league’s HHSAA berths her first three seasons at Kealakehe. The Waveriders haven’t been to states since 2011, and they’ve never won a BIIF title.
The shortstop finished with three hits and her double to lead off the game fueled a four-run rally as Brie McLeod, Kawehi Kahele and Tan followed with singles. McLeod and Tan were each 2 for 4.
“We’re a lot more comfortable in our positions and playing the game and having fun,” Taketa said.
Moana Pinner was 2 for 2 with two RBIs for Hilo and Gaylynn Ha and Marcus compiled two hits each.
Cabarloc allowed hits to six of the first 10 batters she faced before retiring eight hitters in a row. Her defense let her down, committing five errors. She went the distance, walking three and striking out two along with 11 hits allowed.
The Waveriders weren’t even deterred when, with runners on first and second in the fifth, Kahele lined a ball to Cabarloc, who started a 1-3-6 triple play. Kealakehe simply came back for more in the sixth.
“The girls tease me because I’m pacing every game,” Mercado said. “I wear my heart on my sleeve and I let them know, celebrating every single.
“It’s the little wins that are going to get us to that big step. I’m starting to get these girls to understand that it’s a journey.”
Kealakehe 400 003 1 – 8 11 1
Hilo 202 000 0 – 4 8 5
Waiakea 16, Keaau 5: Jourdan Perreira pitched five innings and slugged one of her team’s three home runs, and the Warriors won at home to set up a battle of unbeatens Wednesday at Kamehameha.
Skylar Thomas (3 for 3) and Jolene Hirata (2 for 4) also hit home runs for the Warriors (8-0). Taylor Nishimura finished 2 for 4 with three RBIs, and Perreira was 2 for 4 as well. In the circle, she struck out four and walked three. allowing four hits.
Caitlin Calhoun walked six and struck out two in four-plus innings for Keaau (2-5). At the plate, she was 2 for 2 with an RBI.
Keaau 220 10 – 5 4 1
Waiakea 311 92 –16 12 3
Kohala 3, Konawaena 0: Mikayla Kekoa dominated inside the circle, striking out 11 in a four-hitter in Kapaau.
Kekoa threw all seven innings, allowing four hits and walking one in the shutout.
The Cowgirls (6-2) provided just enough run support, scoring two runs in the bottom of the second and another run in the fifth.
In the second, Symphony Kauanoe and Jurnee Keawe walked with one out and Antonette Fernandez was intentionally walked to load the bases. Keiko Yamura singled to right, scoring two runners.
The final run in the fifth inning crossed the plate when Kekoa doubled to right and her courtesy runner, Brianna Harrison, advanced to third and scored on a pair of wild pitches.
Tiani Lastimosa took the loss for the Wildcats (5-4), allowing three runs off three hits, in four innings of work. She struck out one and walked seven.
Kaimana Joy Manzano led the Wildcat offense with a pair of hits, going 2 for 2 with a double.
Honokaa 10, Ka’u 1
Honokaa 14, Ka’1
Destynee Caravalho picked up a victory and a pair of multihit games as the Dragons swept a doubleheader at home.
In the first game, Carvalho went the distance, striking out seven and allowing two walks. At he plate, she was 2 for 4 with three runs scored and an RBI.
Puili Hanohnao was 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored, and Tyrah Fernandez was 2 for 4 with two runs.
Sheri Freitas pitched a complete game for the Trojans (0-9), walking 12 with two strikeouts.
In the second game, Carvalho was 2 for 4 with two RBIs for Honokaa (6-4).
Sarah Sedillo was 3 for 3 with three runs scored and two RBIs and Aulii Meyer went 2 for 2 with two runs scored.
Fernandez struck out three and walked one in the five-inning TKO.
Freitas struck out two and walked 10.
First game
Ka’u 010 000 0 – 1 4 4
Honokaa 412 111 x 10 12 3
Second game
Honokaa 361 22 – 14 11 1
Ka’u 001 00 – 1 3 1
