Hawaiian Electric Game of the Week
Warriors, Saints both looking to make history


Michael Lasquero | ScoringLive
May 10, 2018, 11:18pm

 



History will be made at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium Friday afternoon.

One team will win its first-ever state crown when Kamehameha-Hawaii and Saint Francis takes each other on in the title game of the DataHouse/HHSAA Division II Softball Championships. First pitch is slated for 4:30 p.m.

The two teams met last year in the state semifinals with the Saints winning in commanding fashion, 9-0.

Second-year KS-Hawaii coach Akeamakamae Kiyuna said last season's game against Saint Francis was an invaluable learning experience for her squad.

"It gave the returners a goal to shoot for and to have an idea of what to expect when we come here (in terms) of the level of play," said Kiyuna. "We had an idea of the level of play that we needed to come into the season with, and then to build on that so we can reach that level by the time we reach this venue."


KS-Hawaii 8, Kalani 7

The Warriors, the No. 2 seed in the tournament, are coming off a 8-7 win over third-seeded Kalani in the semifinals to reach the championship game.

KS-Hawaii took a 3-1 lead after the top of the third and pushed its lead to 7-2 in the fifth, but ran into trouble in the bottom of the inning. Brooke Baptiste came in to relieve starter Jessica Cameros with the go-ahead run at the plate to earn the save as the Warriors staved off the Falcons to win.

"The girls gave the fight of their life today," said Kiyuna. "Kalani played an amazing game, (but) we made the adjustments and capitalized. I'm very proud of our girls for keeping their cool and not letting the errors and the hits affect them. They buckled down, they dug deep and they pulled it off."

Although the Warriors have just two seniors on their team, they have young players that are playing beyond their years to support the upperclassmen. KS-Hawaii starts three freshman, including Dioni Lincoln and Kawehi Ili at second base and shortstop respectively. Third baseman Leiloa-Valerie Bustamante and catcher Kawai Kauahi-Raquel are sophomores.

"They're actually very mature," said Kiyuna. "I think it creates a nice balance for everyone. For our seniors and upperclassmen, it takes a lot of the pressure and weight of off their shoulders knowing that they have people behind them to back them up."


Konawaena 7, No. 5 Saint Francis 8

The Saints are coming off a walk-off 8-7 win over Konawaena in the semifinals in a game where they trailed for majority of the contest.

Saint Francis allowed two home runs in the top of the first and another in the third before pulling off the come-from-behind victory. Kamaile Perreira came off the bench and hit a solo home run to cut into the Wildcats' lead in the bottom of the sixth and Kaena Keliinoi was hit by pitch with the bases loaded in the seventh to score the game-winning run.

"We're very fortunate," said Saint Francis coach Randy Langsi. "The girls believed and I know it's kind of cliche, but when we're down there at the end, any time we have a last at bat, we always have a shot."

Langsi is hoping that his team got the nerves out against Konawaena and is expecting a strong battle from the Warriors.

"They're a reason they are here," he said of KS-Hawaii. "We're expecting it to be a good game tomorrow. I think both team will be hitting the ball."


Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].




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