Waimea wraps up KIF softball title With 5-0 shutout of the Kaua’i Red Raiders

The Waimea Menehunes clinched the KIF softball title yesterday with a

convincing 5-0 victory over the Kaua’i Red Raiders at Isenberg Field.

The

win improved the Menehunes’ overall record to 10-1, including a 5-1 mark in the

league’s second round.

The Waimea girls will now move on to play in the

state tournament early next month on O’ahu.

The Raiders fell victim to

Albette Nawai’s three-hitter and a sterling Menehune defensive

performance.

Breanne Baptista made a running catch in the outfield for

Waimea in the second, while second baseman Ashley Pimental jumped to snare a

line drive and then turned a double play in the fourth.

In addition, the

Menehunes also turned a double play in the first inning.

Kaua’i had its

share of defensive highlights. Pua Kaluahine chased down a fly ball to make a

long running catch and shortstop Pua Kaluahine handled every grounder that came

her way.

Waimea went up 1-0 in the second inning when Erica Iwai walked and

pinch-runner Nancy Yonahara stole second before scoring on an error.

In the

second, the Menehunes made it 2-0 on Erin Castillo’s RBI hit that scored

Shanelle DePeralta.

The Raiders threatened in the sixth inning when

Rochelle Perreira beat out an infield hit and Sarah Yoshikawa walked, but three

hard hit balls — off the bats of Alisa Racelo, Chantel Villatora and Cecilia

Quibilan — turned into outs.

The Menehunes capped the scoring with a

three-run fifth inning. Robyn Hoopii-Manuel had the big hit — a two-run double

to right field to bring Melody Manuel and Trishtan Nakata home.

Castillo

then brought Hoopii-Manuel home with a sharp single to left.

Kaua’i High

School (1-9 overall, 1-3 in the second round) will play the season finale at

the Kapa’a Ball Park against the Kapa’a Warriors this Saturday at 1

p.m.

The Warriors are 4-6 overall and 1-3 in the KIF’s second round.