Kohala finished off Honokaa

Senior Mikayla Kekoa’s three-hitter in the circle and no-doubt home run in a series-clinching win for Kohala’s softball team certainly were appreciated, but it’s the type of clutch performance that coach Terrance Alcoran has come to expect.

It’s the exploits of three of his freshman that stood out to him the most Monday, and the more the merrier for the Cowgirls, who’s next assignment is a big one.

Kekoa punched her ticket to her first BIIF Division championship series since her freshman season as the Cowgirls rallied on the road to beat Honokaa 14-6 to complete a sweep.

Seven-time champion Kamehameha, which completed a two-game sweep of Konawaena on Monday, awaits in the finals. Game 1 is Friday at Kealakehe.

“We have to score, and we have to play defense,” Alcoran said. “If our defense holds up, I think we can stick with them.”

The Dragons (10-6) beat Kohala twice during the regular season, but after being undone by errors in the series opener, their pitchers struggled with their command in Game 2. Alexis Martinez and Tehani Epenesa combined to walk 12 batters, helping Kohala (12-4) battle back from a 5-2 deficit.

“They had to be patient,” Alcoran said. “After we fell behind, I told them to take the first pitch. I didn’t care if they walked or got a hit, they just had to get on base.”

The Cowgirls clinched a berth in the HHSAA tournament for the 10th consecutive season.

Destynee Carvalho hit an inside-the-park home run for Honokaa, which hosts Konawaena (7-9) in the third-place game Wednesday for the BIIF’s final spot in the state tournament.

Freshman Waiulu Kawai-Poliahu highlighted the go-ahead, five-run rally in the fifth with a triple to left that scored two runs to tie the game.

Kekoa hit a solo shot to lead off the sixth and was 2 for 4 with two runs scored and two RBIs, and she allowed only one run in the final three innings, striking out six and walking three. Only two of her runs were earned.

If Kekoa is going to finish her standout career with a championship, she’ll need continued contributions from her freshman teammates.

Anela Cazimero hit a pair of run-scoring singles, walked twice and scored three runs, and fellow ninth-grader Ayezha Isabel has helped stabilize Kohala’s defense at shortstop, Alcoran said.

“I like the way the young girls played today,” he said. “We were a little sluggish in the beginning, but they pulled through.”

By MATT GERHART Hawaii Tribune-Herald