Cowgirls, Vik Queens, and Warriors dominate playoffs; Kealakehe clinches Game 1 victory in softball competition
Baseball Bash on Big Island:
The thrilling semifinals of Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) softball continued last Wednesday on both sides of the island. The action will pick up again this morning in Hilo town.
In Division II, the first-seeded Kohala Cowgirls stormed back from a seven-run deficit in Game 1 against fourth-seeded Pahoa, thanks to a comeback victory of 19-14. The Cowgirls' offense proved unstoppable, with a one-run third inning, three-run fourth, two-run sixth, and six-run ninth.
Kailani Valenzuela-Conte led all batters with four hits and four RBI, including a home run. Team players Faith Alejandro-Cazimero, Kalia Marquez, and Loryn-Rose Carvalho each logged two hits, while Mahea Pang, Saydee Kawai, Raine Cazimero, and Mele Cazimero added one apiece.
Marquez secured the win in the circle, allowing six hits while striking out seven. Alejandro-Cazimero pitched the last 3.3 innings to secure the deal. The Lady Dragons posted 10 hits and committed five errors.
Game 2 saw the Cowgirls win again 13-9, with Valenzuela-Conte and Marquez each contributing two hits. Marquez dominated the game, going all 7.0 innings while striking out eight, and improving her record to 9-1 with a 3.11 ERA.
Now at 9-1 on the season, Kohala will face east-side rival Kamehameha-Hawaii in the championship next week. The Cowgirls' lone loss this season came against the Lady Warriors on April 18th, where they fell 14-13. The teams are 1-1 against each other in 2025.
Hilo kept showing dominance, shutting out Kea'au in Game 2 of the DI semifinals 17-0 in just four innings. With 18 hits, Madison Waiki led the way with three homers and five RBI. She leads the Vik Queens in runs (20) and home runs (six).
Three-hit performances were recorded by Kaylie Caceres, Mackenzie Valentin, and Molly Davi, while Vaiqueen Porter added two more. Raelee Pacheco, Kylie Kaniaupio, Zaydee Amar, and Maluhia Hamada rounded out the rest of the Vik Queens' hits with one each.
Davi delivered another stellar performance in the circle, allowing just two hits and no runs while striking out nine. She has a 10-0 record with a 0.00 ERA and a state-leading 141 strikeouts.
Kea'au's season ends at 2-8.
In another impressive performance, KSH blasted Honoka'a 21-4 after four innings to advance to the championship series. Kealohi Ili led the way with four hits and seven RBI, including a home run. With 14 hits to Honoka'a's five, the Lady Warriors showed their dominance on the field.
Ili leads the Lady Warriors in hits (17), runs (19), RBI (22), triples (four), and home runs (five). She also boasts an impressive .773 batting average. Battle-hardened Olaa Brown picked up the win in the pitching department, allowing five hits and four runs while striking out a pair.
The Lady Warriors now stand at 7-3 and will go up against first seed Kohala for the Division II title. The Lady Dragons' season ended at 3-6.
Recently, third seed Kealakehe earned a come-from-behind victory against second seed Waiakea in the Division I semifinals, winning 21-11. The Lady 'Riders are now pushing to advance to the title series in their upcoming game with Waiakea to be held at 10 a.m. this morning in Hilo.
- The resumed semifinals of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation (BIIF) softball and baseball will continue this morning, with Kohala Cowgirls playing in the softball championship next week.
- In Division II softball, while Kea'au's season ended in Game 2 of the semifinals, Kohala Cowgirls managed to win Game 1 against Pahoa with a dominating 19-14 score.
- In baseball, the Division I semifinals saw third seed Kealakehe earn a comeback victory against second seed Waiakea, setting them up for an upcoming game to advance to the title series.
- Meanwhile, Hilo demonstrated their superiority in the DI semifinals by shutting out Kea'au in just four innings, with Madison Waiki leading the way with three home runs and five RBI.
