It all comes down to one game for the Kaua’i and Waimea baseball teams. On Saturday, the Red Raiders and Menehune face-off in a winner-take-all battle for the KIF first-round title at Vidinha Stadium beginning at 1 p.m. The Menehune
It all comes down to one game for the Kaua’i and Waimea baseball teams.
On Saturday, the Red Raiders and Menehune face-off in a winner-take-all battle for the KIF first-round title at Vidinha Stadium beginning at 1 p.m.
The Menehune (4-2 in the KIF) seem to have the momentum heading into Saturday’s battle. Waimea has won two-straight games after falling to the Red Raiders 5-2 on April 2 in Lihu’e.
Waimea hasn’t played since a doubleheader sweep of Kapa’a last weekend.
Kaua’i (4-2 in the KIF) seemed to be in control of the first-round title before Wednesday’s 3-1 conference loss to the Warriors.
The win was the first of the season for Kapa’a, which rallied against Kaua’i’s Alec Reichle with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Reichle came on in relief of starter Kirby Yates who may have had his best performance of the season (four innings of one-hit baseball with four strikeouts).
Despite Kapa’a’s rally on Wednesday, Reichle has been the best pitcher in the KIF so far.
Reichle leads the conference in strikeouts and will probably factor into Saturday’s matchup in some fashion.
Waimea’s recent success has largely been due to hot bats throughout the lineup.
In their recent sweep of the Warriors, Waimea scored 12 runs in Game 1. Clarence Aki, who has been on fire for the Menehune, stroked three hits in the first game in leading the Waimea offense.
Rayson Cacal smoked a two-run triple. Waimea also has gotten timely hits when it counts.
In Game 2, Isaac Castillo’s sixth inning RBI double broke a 2-2 tie in lifting the Menehune to a one-run victory.
The Red Raiders have some bats as well with Jake Oketani, Yates and Kekoa Crowell providing punch in the middle of the order.
The key for Kaua’i on Saturday could be early runs.
The Red Raiders had numerous early chances to score against Kapa’a in their recent loss.
If Kaua’i can get ahead of Waimea in the first few innings, Red Raiders’ hurlers can pitch with less pressure.
Waimea’s Michael Yaris has been the ace of the staff despite some tough outings.
Yaris has kept his team in his starts despite a propensity for the base on ball. Yaris could get the start on Saturday.
