KAPAA — Kapaa High School’s varsity baseball team won both games of Saturday’s doubleheader against Waimea High School.
Kapaa (7-3 KIF, 3-0 2nd round, 0-1 playoff) defeated Waimea in the first game, 5-4, and in the second game, 3-2, at Kapaa High School.
“I’ll say that I watched Waimea over the season get better and better,” said Kapaa head coach Bryan Aiwohi. “They just gave us two mean games. They played us tough. We made mistakes, but we made some some good plays. We hit the ball at times, but these guys played us tough. They did well. Hats off to Waimea. They improved throughout the year, and they’re a young team. We got to worry about them next year.”
In the first game, Kapaa had a 5-1 lead after five innings.
Kapaa scored two runs in the fourth inning. Warriors outfielder Kaenen Lacaden scored from third base on an error in the outfield. Later on, first baseman Levi Cummings hit an RBI single to right field.
The Warriors scored two more runs in the fifth when shortstop Ka’imi Malina knocked a two-RBI single to right.
Waimea (1-11 KIF, 0-6 2nd round) started to cut the deficit in the sixth. With the bases loaded and with one out, Menehune shortstop Nalu Lazaro and designated hitter Noah Bermudez drew back-to-back walks to each plate a run.
The Menehune scored one more in the top of the seventh when catcher Kaanan Ephan reached first base on an error and outfielder Levi Snowden scored from third on the play.
Later on with two outs and a runner on first, outfielder Lacin Montemayor grounded to the second baseman to end the game.
Kapaa got five runs on six hits, left five runners on base and recorded five errors — three in the seventh inning. Malina was 3-3 batting with three singles and got two RBIs and a run.
Warrior starting pitcher Noa Cardinez got the win. In 5 1/3 innings, Cardinez allowed two runs on two hits and had two strikeouts, four walks and one hit by pitch. Cummings relieved Cardinez in the sixth and recorded the save.
Waimea totaled four runs on two hits, left five runners on and recorded two errors.
Menehune relief pitcher Maximus Ham took the loss. Ham relieved starter Kristian Cardejon in the third inning. In four innings of work, Ham allowed four runs on three hits and had two walks and two hit by pitches.
“Like I said in the beginning part of the season, we’re young. There’s no excuses,” said Waimea head coach Michael Rita. “Again, hats off to Kapaa and their coaching staff.”
In the second game, Kapaa scored two runs in the fifth inning to level the score at 2-2. Warriors outfielder Aaron Vicente scored on a squeeze play as third baseman Ekolu Rivera laid down the bunt. Later on, catcher Ka’eo Kamau laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Kade Kuphea from third.
Kapaa got the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth when Cummings scored from third on a wild pitch.
In the top of the seventh, got two runners on base walks. With one out, a pop out and a ground out ended the game.
Waimea got its first run in the first as second baseman Kaikoa Perreira-Alquiza scored on an error. In the top of the fifth, Perreira-
Alquiza hit an RBI double to center field.
Kapaa got three runs on six hits, left 10 runners on base and recorded one error. Cardinez, playing shortstop, was 2-3 with a couple of singles and one intentional walk.
Malina was the winning pitcher, throwing a complete game and got two strikeouts, four walks and two hit by pitches.
Waimea got two runs on two hits, left six runners on base and recorded one error. Perreira-Alquiza was 1-3 batting with an RBI double, a walk and a run.
Menehune starter Keaka Wisneski took the loss. In six innings, Wisneski got five strikeouts, five walks — three of which were intentional — and three hit by pitches.
Kapaa next plays Kauai High (8-2 KIF, 3-0 2nd round, 1-0 playoff) at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Vidinha Stadium.
“We’ve played them enough times already. We play six (regular season games) in the season,” Aiwohi said. “They know us, and we know them. The team that makes the mistakes is the team that’s going to end up losing. We got to minimize that and take advantage of any errors they do have, which is rare.”
Waimea ended its season with a 1-11 overall record. It’s lone win was a 13-4 result over Kauai on March 31.
“Like I’ve said, it wasn’t about records. I enjoy being back coaching, and I look forward to the future,” Rita said.
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
