Raider Wahine open with W behind shutout from Pungan

KAPA‘A — The pitching of Kaua‘i’s Naja Pungan and hitting of Kyana Hirokane combined to give the Lady Red Raiders an 11-0 shutout, Wednesday at the New Kapa‘a Town Park.

Pungan, the No. 2 batter in the lineup, finished 1 for 2 in the batter’s box with three RBIs, a stolen base and scored twice in the opening game of the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation softball season.

Defensively, Pungan, a senior, pitched a complete game for the win, allowing three hits while striking out three and hitting two Kapa‘a batters.

Hirokane opened the books with an RBI single that scored Waileia Kaneali‘i, who had reached on a walk. Hirokane finished a perfect 3 for 3, including a triple in the fifth inning, three RBIs, a stolen base and scored once in the win.

Overall, Kaua‘i piled up nine hits on two Kapa‘a miscues, as the 10-run rule came into effect in the fifth inning.

With a 9-0 lead heading into the fifth, Kaua‘i opened with a pinch hitter for Pungan, the batter beating out a bunt to set the stage for Hirokane, who belted a solid three-bagger to deep left field.

The runner at first doubled back anticipating a fly ball, but when the ball dropped, both runners shared the basepath until second base when the lead runner surged ahead, crossing the plate while Hirokane held up at third. La‘amea Ka‘a picked up her RBI by driving Hirokane across the plate for the win.

Adriana Medeiros and Angel Camarillo also posted RBIs for Kaua‘i in the win.

Ta’ashi Napoleon suffered the loss for Kapa‘a, allowing nine hits while striking out one Red Raider and walking three.

Melina Obar finished 2 for 3 with two singles to lead the Lady Warrior bats.

Kapa‘a takes a trip to the Waimea Canyon Park, Saturday for a doubleheader against Waimea with the first game starting at 10 a.m.

Kaua‘i will host Waimea in a single game next Wednesday at Isenberg Park starting at 5:30 p.m.