Pac-Five coach Greg Gier will be in the opposite dugout of daughter Kealaulaikalani of Iolani when the teams meet in ILH softball Wednesday at Ala Wai Neighborhood Park.

Purchase image 1 of 3

Purchase image 2 of 3

Purchase image 3 of 3

Awkward.

That's how it will be when Iolani senior infielder Kealaulaikalani Gier faces Pac-Five in Interscholastic League of Honolulu softball 4 p.m. Wednesday at Ala Wai Neighborhood Park.

You see, Gier's father is Wolfpack coach Greg Gier.

"It's kind of mixed emotions," coach Gier said. "You want her to succeed, but you kind of want to help your (own) team. We actually beat them a few times (in the past). After we play, definitely happy for her and she's happy for us when we do well."

Ironically, Kealaulaikalani came close to playing for her father. She attended Hawaii Baptist Academy from sixth through eighth grades before transferring to Iolani. The Pac-Five combine includes players from HBA. Greg Gier had been an assistant at Saint Francis before taking over Pac-Five three years ago. It turned out to be a perfect arrangement because Pac-Five practices at Ala Wai, which is a pop fly away from Iolani. Since both finish their practices about the same time, they can ride to their Kaneohe home together.

Both teams are contenders in their respective divisions at this juncture of the season. Iolani, 3-2, is in third place, two games behind leader Kamehameha in Division I. Pac-Five leads Division II with a 3-2-1 record. The tie is with Kamehameha. (The ILH plays an integrated schedule, but separates the D1 and D2 schools.)

When the Wolfpack play their games, it's just straight on head-to-head. They don't rely on scouting reports as far as pitching to opposing batters. So coach Gier might know how to pitch against his daughter, but he leaves that discretion to the pitcher.

"We don't scout," coach Gier said. "I also know all the other girls because I coach (them in) club. They just play the game. We don't have that kind of (scouting) background.

"Hopefully, it's a good game where both sides can play their best."

At home, it's more a father relationship about the game.

"It's more about focusing on what she has to do, not so much how we're going to play them," coach Gier said. "This helps her to stay focused and try to do the best she can."

Coach and daughter have played against each other about six times over the years. Their meetings have usually been amicable, except once.

"I remember being really upset after the game we lost," Kealaulaiklani said. "I refused to high-five him (during post-game handshakes) because I was so mad we lost…It was kind of a weird moment for both of us, but it was kind of funny."

Iolani and Pac-Five also play again on April 28.