Kapa’a’s 5-3 come-from-behind win over the Kaua’i Red Raiders on Wednesday should be a breathe of fresh air for Warrior head coach Timmy Laranio. The Warriors started the season winless (0-3) and lost a few close games in their double-header
Kapa’a’s 5-3 come-from-behind win over the Kaua’i Red Raiders on Wednesday should be a breathe of fresh air for Warrior head coach Timmy Laranio.
The Warriors started the season winless (0-3) and lost a few close games in their double-header against the Red Raiders a few weeks past.
They needed an answer, and somewhere on that fateful day on Isenberg’s grassy knoll, they got it.
Some could say the answer was in the form of feisty freshman Moana DeSilva, who began a seventh-inning rally which eventually overcame the Red Raider lead. Others could point at sluggers Lahela Laranio and Jacklyn Alapai, who’s combined three-hits, three runs and three-RBI’s amassed a majority of the offensive production which set in motion the final two-inning surge.
You could even point to hurler Tiana Laranio.
Kapa’a’s premiere ace, who exhibited brilliance on several pitches in Wednesday’s outing, may have had a rocky first two innings (although two of the Red Raiders’ three runs were unearned), but she finished strong, slamming the Red Raiders’ top of the order hitters in the seventh to complete a hard-earned three-and-out finisher.
But to many fans who cheered on that fine day in Lihue, it wasn’t one particular player who caulked the Warriors seemingly unending losing streak.
In fact, ‘the answer’ came in an imperceptible, almost contextual form-an unnoticeable series of minor actions that helped bolster the team’s drive.
Maybe it was the way Laranio wiped her brow and shook her head as if to say, “finally!,” right after she struck out Starlene Kelekoma swinging in the sixth.
It could have been the hugs DeSilva received from her proud teammates, who just witnessed their compadres’ first taste of high school glory.
And some might suggest it was a change in the mood of the Warriors dugout, which had little to cheer about prior to Wednesday’s game.
Whatever the true answer may be, one thing for certain is that the collective actions of the Warrior’s softball team put them back on track-on the right path to KIF contention. Now they must prove themselves even further this Saturday, when they host the undefeated Waimea Menehunes in Kapa’a.
Maybe then they can get on track in the league standings, as well.
