Softball Starts Season with 2 Wins

Photo by Rick Schonely

The Molokai High School Girls Softball team opened up their 2017 Maui Interscholastic League Division II season with two wins over Hana last weekend at Ho`olehua. On Friday, the Lady Farmers (2-0) won 16-1 in four innings behind the great pitching of Cahl Horner. Horner helped her team on offense also going 2-2 at the plate with three runs scored. Sydney Rawlins was 2-4 with a double and a triple and Nadia Augustiro was 2-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. On Saturday, Molokai defeated the Dragons (0-2) 22-5 in five innings with Tehani Yamamoto on the mound. Brooke Keliihoomalu was 3-3 at the plate with three triples and four runs scored and Augustiro was 2-4 with a double and a triple and three runs scored. Saturday was Senior Day for the Lady Farmers and four seniors were honored: Keliihoomalu, Augustiro, Precious Rawlins and Kyra Wallace.

Head Coach Kawehi Horner is excited for this season.

“Our girls are very hungry to play,” he said. ” Just two more travel [games] and we are heading into MILs and then hopefully states! A very quick season indeed!”

Horner said Cahl Horner did well on the mound Friday and Yamamoto pitched a great game Saturday.

“Our catcher Cami Horner was holding it down behind the plate as teammates Nadia, Sydney and Brooke and the others assisted with RBIs,” he said. “The Hana team played tough all the way through also. In these next few weeks our team will work harder and harder working on their mental strength as well as get some much needed reps in fielding and hitting.”

With St. Anthony dropping out of the league, this was the only home games for Molokai this year and the seniors enjoyed their last games in front of family and friends.

“I was sad that it was my last home game but I definitely wouldn’t change a thing about any of it,” said Keliihoomalu. “I am so thankful and blessed and I can’t wait to see what more this season has in store for us.”

Augustiro said she is proud of her team and how far they have come.

“We all played our best and left everything on the field,” she said. “I must say this was one of my best games from all my four years but sad to say this was my last and only home game this year….”

Rawlins said they have a lot to work on, and this is just the beginning.

“It’s not about how you start; it’s about how you end,” she said. “We always can improve each day and work to the best of our abilities. We will work to each goal, and our goals can be reached as we work hard and harder. I can’t wait to see what the rest of our season has in store for us.”

The Lady Farmers will have two weekends off before traveling to Lanai for games on April 7-8. They will finish their regular season with games at Seabury on April 14 and 15 before the MIL DII Softball Tournament at Patsy Mink Field on Maui April 20.