LIHU‘E — Despite the close score, the Red Raiders were able to control the game from start to finish, as Stanton Yoshimori came in for the win after Shannon Oketani got into some first inning trouble and in the end,
LIHU‘E — Despite the close score, the Red Raiders were able to control the game from start to finish, as Stanton Yoshimori came in for the win after Shannon Oketani got into some first inning trouble and in the end, it was Kirby Yates who quieted Warrior bats for the 4-3 win yesterday at the Vidinha Stadium Ballpark.
The big victory gave Kaua‘i a perfect 10-0 overall record (4-0 second round), but more importantly, it set up a showdown on Saturday against Waimea (2-1 second round), where Kaua‘i needs just one win to take the KIF title for the third year in a row, under head coach Hank Ibia Jr. Meanwhile the Warriors moved to 0-11 on the season, but have improved throughout the season.
Kapa‘a head coach Destry Iseri-Carvalho has been able to get good play from his young squad during the second round.
The Red Raiders jumped out on top in the first inning, thanks to Yates’ 2-RBI triple, scoring Yoshimori and Andrew Renaud for the 2-0 lead.
With Jetson Wakuta on the mound for Kapa‘a, Jonathan Gebauer sneaked past the tag at home plate and scored Kaua‘i’s third run off of a wild pitch.
Kapa‘a stormed back in its half of the first, as Kahai Nakano advanced to third on a nice bunt by Travis Nakamura and scored on the same play via a Kaua‘i error.
Waylan Kupihea nailed a shot to the outfield for an RBI sacrifice fly, enabling Nakamura to cross the plate, which cut the lead down to one at 3-2.
The Red Raiders added another run in the third, as Dustin “Chunky” Pagador’s RBI sacrifice fly scored Yates, who got on board with a lead-off double.
Kapa‘a threatened in the fifth with a run by Travis Shigeta, but Yoshimori buckled down and struck out Nakamura with two outs and the bases juiced.
Yates came in for the save in the seventh and closed the door on the Warriors for the 4-3 win.
The KIF’s title hangs in the balance this Saturday, as Kaua‘i visits Waimea for a doubleheader, starting at 10 a.m.
The Red Raiders need just one win for the KIF title.
