LIHU‘E — Hanapepe got some help from Kapa‘a, a 5-2 winner over Makaweli, to get sole possession of the lead with an 11-1 win over Waimea in the Americans of Japanese Ancestry baseball league, Sunday. In a single game played
LIHU‘E — Hanapepe got some help from Kapa‘a, a 5-2 winner over Makaweli, to get sole possession of the lead with an 11-1 win over Waimea in the Americans of Japanese Ancestry baseball league, Sunday.
In a single game played at Vidinha Stadium, Kalaheo edged Lihu‘e 6-5.
Micah Furtado fueled the Kapa‘a victory with a two-RBI shot on a one-strike ball in the fourth inning to drive home Waylan Kupihea and Kawaihau Torio with no outs in the frame at the Hanapepe Stadium.
Brad Wakuta opened the inning, getting firstbase on a hit followed by Kupihea hitting a one-strike ball to get aboard and advancing on Torio’s RBI-single to rightfield scoring Wakuta.
Earlier, Allan Mundon got aboard on a hit followed by Nappy Hirokane walking first with one out in the third inning.
Branden Kamibayashi (1-4) got an RBI, scoring Mundon on his play. Hirokane crossed on a Makaweli miscue to stalemate the contest 2-2 before Torio and Furtado’s RBI shots.
Makaweli lead-off hitter Ikaika Pezario singled to open the first inning and scored off Kapa‘a error to draw first blood. Brad Chiba followed, singling in the second inning with one away and scoring off an Ikaika Pezario RBI-single to centerfield with two away for the 2-0 bulge that was answered by Kapa‘a in the third and fourth frames.
Mundon went the distance to pick up the Kapa‘a win, allowing eight hits with a strike out, five walks and just one earned run.
Hanapepe lost little time in its win over Waimea, scoring six runs in the opening frame on five hits, including a three-run homer by Tyrus Matsumoto to push Mason Lorenzo and Justin Ganaden across the plate with no outs.
Matsumoto (1-2) joined Lorenzo (1-4), Quinten Natividad (2-4, triple) and Davin Yamase (2-3, double) in scoring twice in the win. Ganaden (0-2), Mikey Yaris (1-1) and Scott Yamase (0-0) each scored once.
Kelsey Morikawa, walking first, crossed the plate on Braden Hiraoka’s RBI shot after stealing second and taking third on a passed ball in the second inning.
RBI singles from Troy Kaneshiro and Brandon Ishibashi in the seventh inning pushed Kalaheo to a 6-5 edge over Lihu‘e in the sole contest played at Vidinha Stadium.
Kalaheo netted 14 hits for its six runs paced by Kaleo Saiki, who also picked up the win on the mound by going the distance.
Saiki, 3-5 on the day, finished with an RBI on a triple and two singles. On the mound, Saiki allowed four earned runs on five hits while striking out eight and walking six.
Kaina McCallum (2-4) followed with two RBI followed by Kaneshiro (2-4) with an RBI. Jason Koga (1-3) and Ishibashi (1-3) each marked an RBI. Zoom Bukoski (2-4), Kainoa Santos (2-5, double) and Duane Miyasato (1-2) also provided hits in the win.
Darran Sakai (2-4) topped the hitting for Lihu‘e that was limited to just one player in its dugout after one of its starters was injured and its high school roster of players left for the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation season.
Sakai finished with an RBI along with Dan Tanimoto (1-4) and Ryden Domingsel (1-2) who was kept running from his centerfield position. Micah Hee (1-2) and Bobby Texeira (1-4) posted Lihu‘e hits.
Games continue Sunday with a single game at Vidinha Stadium starting at 11 a.m. when Kapa‘a visits the Lihu‘e Builders.
The double-header at Hanapepe Stadium will see the league-leading Hanapepe Rivermen host Kalaheo in the 10 a.m. opener followed by Waimea tangling with Makaweli in the 1 p.m. matchup.
There is no admission to view the competition.
