Waimea sweeps KIF softball opener

WAIMEA — Kapa‘a girls came to play and were in the fight through the fifth inning of Game 1, Saturday at the opening game of the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation softball season.

But Waimea exploded for four runs in the fifth and sixth innings en route to an 11-7 win. The Menehune followed that with a 6-0 win to sweep the series.

“Kapa‘a had that game,” said Kaua‘i coach Darrell Borrero who was watching the action at the Waimea Canyon Park. “They were in it against Waimea, making some good plays and getting some hits.”

Kapa‘a marked two runs in the opening inning only to have Waimea answer with three of its own.

But Kapa‘a took a 4-3 lead in the second inning with two runs only to have Waimea answer with two of its own runs.

Offensively, the Menehune churned out 11 runs on nine hits in the first game and finished the second game with six runs on eight hits.

Waimea shortstop Kawehi Ephan had the top bat, going 3-4 with a double in Game 1 and a perfect 3-3 in Game 2, also scoring once in each game.

Tauina Tafiti finished 2-3 in Game 1 with a double and scoring twice. Ariel Mizumoto followed Ephan in Game 2, going 2-3 with a double.

Leeana Baltazar topped the Kapa‘a hitting in both games, finishing Game 1 (3-4) and (2-3) in Game 2 with a double. She also scored twice in Game 1.

On the mound, Waimea’s Shelly Koerte is now 2-0, giving up seven runs and nine hits in Game 1 while striking out two and walking six. She settled down for Game 2, finishing with no runs allowed on just four hits while striking out 11 Kapa‘a batters and walking none.

Melina Obar suffered the loss, giving up 11 runs on nine hits in Game 1 while striking out one, walking three and hitting one batter. She finished Game 2 with six runs on eight hits while striking out two, walking none and hitting one batter.

With the win, Waimea travels to Isenberg Field for a single game against Kaua‘i starting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday.

There is no admission fee to view the games.