A wild Saturday

LIHU’E – If you plan on going to the baseball playoffs on Saturday, go early.

Based on the crowds that were on hand at the Faye Park on Tuesday for the Bronco playoffs, and the amount of people that hovered over the Mustang field at the Anne Knudsen Park on Wednesday, there won’t be that many spare seats at the Lihu’e County Park on Saturday when the Broncos continue their Best of Three playoffs starting at 9:30 a.m.

That contest will be followed immediately by the Mustangs’ quest for their Best of Three playoffs starting at 11:30 a.m.

At stake for both teams is the representation of Kaua’i at the state level. But, beyond the anticipation of Saturday’s games, what transpired on Tuesday and Wednesday was historic. According to Mike Koerte, one of the field umpires at the Bronco playoffs, Lihu’e has never won a playoff game in the four years it has participated.

That changed on Tuesday when the Lihu’e Warriors rallied behind one Cody Goias, who threw a 2-hitter while fanning 6 batters against the West Kaua’i All-Stars. Goias allowed no walks in seven innings of duty.

Goias continued his efforts behind the plate as he ended the day 3-for-4, picking up a double and a pair of singles in the offensive showing.

He was joined by catcher Michael Julian who ended 2-for-4 with a single and a double with Kalani Brackenridge coming up with a pair of RBI’s and a stolen base in the victory.

West Kaua’i’s sole score came as Lane Fernandez scored on a squeeze bunt by Fetu Taala in the opening stanza.

Fernandez was credited with a single as was Joey Brun who singled for West Kaua’i’s second hit in the loss.

West Kaua’i Broncos maintained the 1-0 lead until the third inning when Chysen Gray started the ball rolling for Lihu’e, singling to center. Andrew Renaud brought Gray home for the 1-1 tie.

The score mounted with a pair of Lihu’e runs in the fourth, a digit in the fifth, and another pair in the sixth inning, while Goias continued to keep West Kaua’i off balance. Late in the contest, West Kaua’i’s Allen Pancho got aboard on an errant throw that slipped past Renaud. That was followed by Vaugh Meatoga’s run to the plate before the book closed with runners left onboard.

Wednesday’s historic playoff contest opened with the Lihu’e Warriors (Mustang) striking in the first inning for a 1-0 lead until Michael Acoba tied the contest with an RBI for West Kaua’i in the third inning.

That stalemate lasted until the top of the sixth when Lihu’e worked four runs across the plate for the 5-1 victory, which, according to Ron Kouchi, was page two of the history book as the Lihu’e Mustangs also notched their first victory since the inception of the league’s participation in the program.

With Lihu’e’s Charles Coloma sitting at thirdbase and Jessica Iwata nestled at second on a no-out situation in the top of the sixth inning, West Kaua’i went to Trent Allianic to try and stop the threat.

Lihu’e’s Rysan Sakamoto smacked the sphere for the first of four runs as Coloma crossed, and Iwata followed on a squeeze attempt by Christian Fort. A sacrifice by Fort scored Sakamoto, with the final notch coming on a balk against Allianic as Christian Largo crossed for the 5-1 arithmetic.

West Kaua’i came back in the bottom of the sixth as Iwata hit back-to-back hitters with two outs, but the rally fell short as pinch runner Taylor Pagador was cut down at third by Iwata to end the threat.

And, if all of that is not enough excitement to get you out to the ball park, one of the grandmothers said the Lihu’e Baseball League will have not one, but two food booths going, and on the menu is that ono chili prepared by the culinary staff of the Kaua’i Marriott.

The Skinny:

@Lihue County Park on Saturday

Broncos – best of three

Lihue Warriors (1-0) vs. West Kauai All Stars (0-1)

Gametime: 9:30 a.m.

Mustangs – best of three

Lihue Warriors (1-0) vs. West Kauai All Stars (0-1)

Gametime: 11:30 a.m.

*Game 3 (Broncos) and Game 4 (Mustangs) if necessary.A wild Saturday