HILO — Thanks to Waiakea softball’s 13 base hits, the hosting Warriors were able to run rule the visiting Kealakehe Waveriders 18-8 over 6.0 innings during Thursday’s game.
The victors also celebrated senior night for Keani Kaneshiro, Kaelyn Sewake and Meghan Spencer.
Waiakea improved to a perfect 6-0, and was led by Spencer and Chansity McGill, who both combined for six hits and six RBI. Kaneshiro and and Ritanii Henry each added two of their own.
The game was tied 3-3 after the opening inning, but Waiakea quickly responded with 15 runs over the last five innings, including a nine-run outburst in the sixth.
In the circle, Jesse Garza was named the game’s winning pitcher after allowing four hits. Spencer also spent time in the circle, allowing three hits.
Dominant would be an understatement to Waiakea’s season, as they have out-scored opponents 87-18, including two shutout wins. Kaneshiro leads the team in hits (13) and runs (16), while Spencer leads in RBI (12), triples (three), home runs (two), innings pitched (21.0), wins (four) and strikeouts (18).
With such a dominant campaign thus far, Waiakea remains the clear favorite to win the BIIF DI championship. They’ll return to the diamond on Wednesday against Konawaena. The game was rescheduled from March 14 due to the aggressive Kona low storm.
Kealakehe showed life in this game, but their firepower wasn’t enough to keep up with the Warriors — only mustering seven hits. Miley Moriarty and La‘i Micheli-Kaimiola combined for six hits and five RBI, including three doubles from Micheli-Kaimiola. Shalee Aku also singled once.
Jahryah Akana-Richard and Moriarty split time in the circle for Kealakehe.
The Waveriders next face Kea‘au on Wednesday on the other side of the island.
See Page 2B for more pictures from the senior-night event.