WAIMEA — Kapaa and Waimea high schools’ varsity softball teams split Saturday’s Kauai Interscholastic Federation doubleheader at Waimea Canyon Park.
In the first game Saturday, Waimea defeated Kapaa, 16-15, in eight innings.
Tied at 15-15 after seven innings, Menehune second baseman Starlynn Ripley scored in the walk-off run in the bottom of the eighth.
From third base, Ripley crossed home plate as shortstop Jenessa Freitas reached first base on an error in the outfield.
Waimea (6-2 KIF, 2-1 2nd round) totaled 16 runs on 15 hits, left nine runners on base and recorded five errors. Freitas was 2-3 batting with a single and a double, and she scored three runs.
Menehune first baseman Kieren Henderson 3-4 with two home runs and a single. She knocked five RBIs. Outfielder Leiko Yamauchi was 2-4 with a solo home run and a single.
Kapaa got 15 runs on 11 hits, left nine runners on base and recorded six errors. Warriors first baseman Leipua Kaui was 1-2 with a solo home run and scored three runs. Kaui was intentionally walked four times.
Warriors shortstop Tia Takasaki was 3-5 with a double and two singles, and she scored two runs.
Kapaa (5-3 KIF, 1-1 2nd round) then routed Waimea in the second game of Saturday’s twin bill, 15-4. Play ended after six innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.
Kapaa scored five runs in the second inning to jump ahead. In the inning, Warriors outfielder Shanayah Marshall blasted a 3-run home run.
Waimea scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning to even the score at 2-2. Ripley and Henderson each had an RBI in the inning.
Kapaa totaled 15 runs on 17 hits, left eight runners on base and recorded three errors. Marshall was 4-4 with home run, three singles and scored three runs. Kaui was 4-5 in the second game with a double, three singles and scored four runs.
Waimea got four runs on two hits, left eight runners on base and recorded five errors.
Kapaa will host Kauai High School (0-6 KIF, 0-1 2nd round) at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Waimea will host Kauai for a doubleheader Saturday at Waimea Canyon Park. The first game is scheduled for 10 a.m.
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
