LIHU‘E — An upset win by Waimea over Kalaheo sets up a pivotal game for the Kaua‘i Americans of Japanese Ancestry baseball league, Sunday. Kalaheo, tied with Hanapepe for the league standings, was victimized 8-5 by the Waimea Tsunami at
LIHU‘E — An upset win by Waimea over Kalaheo sets up a pivotal game for the Kaua‘i Americans of Japanese Ancestry baseball league, Sunday.
Kalaheo, tied with Hanapepe for the league standings, was victimized 8-5 by the Waimea Tsunami at Hanapepe Stadium, while the Hanapepe Rivermen extended their lead with an 18-0 shutout over the Makaweli Indians.
Kapa‘a bounced back from a Lihu‘e grand slam to pick up its fourth season win on a 9-5 note at Vidinha Stadium.
With those results, Kalaheo faces a must-win situation, Sunday at Hanapepe Stadium when the Farmers face the Rivermen in a 1 p.m. showdown.
Hanapepe, currently 7-2, can end the season with a win. Kalaheo, currently 6-3, can force a playoff for the lead with a win. The playoff, if needed, is scheduled for March 14.
Waimea opened with three runs in the first inning, which was not answered until the third frame when Kalaheo pushed three runs to deadlock the game, 3-3.
That stalemate was short-lived as Waimea pushed another two runs across in the bottom of the frame and added another two runs in the sixth, while Kalaheo could only come up with two answering runs in the seventh.
Scott Yamase powered the Tsunami with three RBIs coming on a home run and a double in four at-bats, while scoring twice.
Kevin Agena added two RBIs on a double and a single, scoring once. Casey Agena (2-5), Jayrald Watanabe (1-3) and Branden Hashimoto (1-3) each added an RBI. Kelsie Morikawa (2-3) and Ahren Kaneshiro (1-2) each scored and Kellen Nakaahiki (1-2) scored twice.
Liko Perreira went the distance for Waimea, giving up 14 hits with one strikeout and five walks.
Kaleo Saiki suffered the Kalaheo loss in eight innings with 12 hits allowed while striking out 10 and walking five. Saiki also belted a two-run home run and scored twice.
Jason Koga (3-3) Keola McCallum (1-4), Kaina McCallum (0-3) and Zoomie Bukoski (3-5) each marked an RBI.
Makaweli, suffering an 18-0 shutout from Hanapepe, which got a solo home run and a grand slam from Quinton Natividad, will open Hanapepe Stadium with a 10 a.m. game against Lihu‘e, a 9-5 victim to Kapa‘a despite a grand slam from Mikey Cardinez.
Kapa‘a, picking up its fourth season win last week, will play Waimea in a single game at Vidinha Stadium at 11 a.m.
