WAIMEA- Depending on which side of the stadium one sat, the game either was a testament to the fortitude of a defending champion, or a true tragedy. For those in the Waimea bleachers, the former described the Menehunes’ 5-2 softball
WAIMEA- Depending on which side of the stadium one sat, the game either was a testament to the fortitude of a defending champion, or a true tragedy.
For those in the Waimea bleachers, the former described the Menehunes’ 5-2 softball victory over Kaua’i Wednesday. In the visiting bleachers, the latter prevailed.
That so, because the Red Raiders, leading 2-0 and in seeming control of the contest, committed two errors and yielded four unearned runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. The single half-inning blunder delivered a loss where there might have been a crucial win.
“We played five solid innings of defense,” Kaua’i coach Penny Vess said. “It was just that one inning of errors that did it.” Only one other error — in the bottom of the third — showed in the final Red Raider linescore.
“You can take nothing away from Kaua’i,” Waimea coach Pat Baniaga said. “We are fortunate to get this win.
“I think this makes it even clearer that there is no dominant team on the island.” Though Baniaga did say that pitching may give his team “a slim advantage” at this point.
“We’re very fortunate to have two experienced pitchers right now,” the coach said. “That’s good for us.” It was Wednesday night.
Starting Waimea (2-0, KIF) pitcher Bridget Louis — second in rotation on the Menehune staff — fired four-and-a-half solid innings to begin the game. She gave up four hits and two walks.
But Louis got into trouble in the top of the fifth. Kaua’i (0-3) pitcher Cecilia Quibilan rocketed a triple into right field, then Louis walked Chelsea Ann Kaluahine to put runners at the corners.
Baniaga pulled Louis in favor of ace Albette Nawai, who then promptly allowed a two-run single to Raider Brittan Amii, before retiring the next two batters.
“We were hitting well tonight,” Vess said. “We got some key hits at key times.” But as quickly as had come Kaua’i’s high, came its low.
In the bottom of the fifth, Waimea’s Trishtan Nakata reached on an infield single. Ashley Mier then lined out to second, but an effort to get Nakata diving back into first base ended up behind the Kaua’i dugout, and the Menehune wound up at third.
“You try to tell the kids that there’s nothing they can do about the errors,” Vess said. “But it’s hard for them to get out of their head sometimes.” Following Nakata’s arrival at third, Waimea connected on just one more base hit in the inning, yet scored four runs.
“It shows a good team that can take advantage of errors and capitalize on what an opponent gives them,” Baniaga said. “But, again, you can’t take anything away from Kaua’i.” The Menehunes put one more run on the board in the sixth when Quibilan walked home a run. Then Nawai — who picked up the win — shut the door on the Red Raiders in the top of the seventh, forcing three infield pop outs.
Despite suffering the loss, Quibilan fired a “pretty good game” according to Vess.
“None of their [Waimea’s] big batters hit tonight,” Vess said. “So you have to say that’s a job well done.” Koerte was 2-for-3 to lead the Menehunes. Waimea’s lone RBI came courtesy of a Louis walk in the sixth. Louis also struck out two batters.
Tyrene Kaluahine was 2-for-4 to lead the Red Raiders. The club also got a triple from Quibilan to open its run-scoring fifth inning. Quibilan also struck out two.
Waimea hosts Kapa’a Saturday in a doubleheader beginning at noon. Kaua’i is off until Wednesday, Dec. 27, when it travels to Kapa’a for a 5:30 p.m. game.
