KAPAA — The Red Raiders piled on five runs in the fifth inning en route to winning the season’s first round.
Kauai High School’s varsity baseball team defeated Kapaa, 11-1, in a playoff game Wednesday afternoon at Kapaa High School. Play ended after five innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.
Already with a 5-1 lead, Kauai (5-2 KIF, 1-0 playoff) got five more runs in the top of the fifth on four hits and three Kapaa errors. The inning was capped off with a solo home run to left field by Red Raiders senior catcher Skyler Sadora.
Earlier in the inning with the bases loaded, Red Raiders junior second baseman Tyler Oshima hit a two-RBI double to left field. Later on with runners on second and third, senior outfielder Ethan Gray hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score the runner from third.
Later on, Oshima advanced to third base on an errant throw from the outfield, and then scored a run on an error in the infield.
Kauai High scored three runs in the fourth inning to extend its lead to 5-1. With runners at first and second, Gray hit an RBI single to center field. Sadora then hit a two-RBI double to left field.
In the third, the Red Raiders plated two runs. With two runners on, Gray laid down a bunt. The ball stayed just inside the left field line, and Gray safely reached first base.
With the bases loaded, Sadora hit a sacrifice fly to center field to plate the runner from third. Later on, Red Raiders senior first baseman Ricky Rego hit an RBI single to left field.
In the second inning and with runners and first and third base, Red Raiders senior outfielder Blake Probasco laid down a sacrifice bunt to the pitcher to get the runner in from third for the team’s first run.
Kapaa (4-3 KIF, 0-1 playoff) got its only run in the bottom of the first inning. With runners on second and third, Warriors senior third baseman Ekolu Rivera reached first base on an errant throw from shortstop. On the play, senior outfielder Kaenen Lacaden scored from third.
Kauai High got its 11 runs on 10 hits, left six runners on base and recorded two errors — both in the first inning. Sadora was 2-4 batting with a solo home run, a double and had three RBIs. Gray was 2-4 with a couple of singles, hit for two RBIs and scored a run. Oshima was 2-2 with a double, a single, a walk, hit for two RBIs and scored three runs.
Red Raiders starting pitcher, senior Christian Manera, was the winning pitcher. In five innings, he had two strikeouts and a walk.
Kapaa got one run on two hits, left four runners on base and totaled five errors. Warriors starting pitcher, sophomore Noa Cardinez, was 1-2 with a double in the first inning. Junior outfielder Trevor Kaui was 1-2 with a single.
Cardinez took the loss for Kapaa. In three full innings, Cardinez had one strikeout.
The season’s second round begins Saturday when Waimea High School (1-5 KIF) hosts Kauai High for a doubleheader at Hanapepe Stadium. The first game begins 10 a.m.
Kapaa next plays on Wednesday against Waimea at Hanapepe Stadium. That game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
