The KIF softball match-up last night was your classic case of old and young. The game between Waimea and Kaua’i played exactly the way the KIF expected-Waimea’s experienced squad of senior ball players outlasted a Red Raider team fielding freshmen
The KIF softball match-up last night was your classic case of old and young.
The game between Waimea and Kaua’i played exactly the way the KIF expected-Waimea’s experienced squad of senior ball players outlasted a Red Raider team fielding freshmen (six freshmen, a sophomore, two juniors and seven seniors).
But, you have to admit, the Red Raiders didn’t look like a young team last night.
Waimea was held scoreless through four innings. Of the twelve Menehune batters pitcher Sarah Yoshikawa let on base, only four of them were a direct consequence of her pitching-Kaua’i committed a total of eight errors, last night.
And while that shows inexperience, that doesn’t mean the Red Raiders aren’t a talented softball team.
“I was surprised to see the progress shown by Kaua’i in past weeks,” said Waimea Coach Pat Baniaga. “They have improved a lot since our tournament earlier this year, and I credit their coaching staff for doing a great job with that talent.”
Baniaga agrees that the Red Raiders have a lot of talent and shouldn’t be taken lightly in the KIF.
But it is hard to avoid the experience in the Menehune dugout.
Two pitchers, Bridgett Louis and Albette Nawai, have shown their stuff for four years, and it showed last night. The two complement each other-power and finesse, strength and accuracy-and will be the key to a Menehune crown this season.
Also, catcher Destinie “Maka” Keamoai is a huge asset to the Menehunes-two Red Raiders discovered that, last night, after they tried to steal.
And first base Erin Castillo and third base Shenelle Deparalta solidify, with four years of experience, the Menehunes efficient infield.
“Our seniors have been here since they were freshmen, so their experience will be our strong points this season,” said Baniaga.
So for the Red Raiders to only lost by three, even after eight errors, the KIF must admit that inexperience may be the only obstacle they need to overcome.
As Baniaga says, the Red Raiders have already come a long way in the past few weeks.
There’s no telling were they will be in coming months.
