KAPA‘A — Tauina Tafiti had a home run, and Ulu Matagiese scored three times to lead Waimea to a 17-8 win over Kapa‘a in the wind-swept Kapa‘a New Town Park, Wednesday night. But the wind played havoc with the mitts,
KAPA‘A — Tauina Tafiti had a home run, and Ulu Matagiese scored three times to lead Waimea to a 17-8 win over Kapa‘a in the wind-swept Kapa‘a New Town Park, Wednesday night.
But the wind played havoc with the mitts, as Waimea and Kapa‘a combined for 18 errors — Waimea accounting for 11 miscues.
The Menehune win, coming on 12 hits and seven Kapa‘a errors, keeps its win streak alive, improving to 4-0 on the season before hosting Kaua‘i High School in a twinbill, Saturday at the Waimea Canyon Park.
Kapa‘a, despite a strong comeback effort in the middle frames, drops to 0-6.
The Warrior ladies found the key to their bat closet, finishing with 11 hits to Waimea’s dozen, but could only push eight runs across, leaving eight stranded runners through seven innings.
Trailing 13-2 heading to the bottom of the fifth frame, Kapa‘a pushed four runs on two hits and five Menehune errors to cancel out the 10-run ruling and extend the game to seven innings.
Priscilla Lutz, finishing the game with three hits, singled into the headwind of left field to get aboard. She advanced to second on a passed ball with Ta’ashi Napoleon in the box.
Napoleon, another Warrior hitting leader with three hits, singled to third, getting Lutz to advance to third.
Reggie McCabe got aboard on an error off a bunt to drive Lutz home and advance courtesy runner Justice Toguchi (for Napoleon) to third.
First base Kalia Kaui, finishing with two runs in the game, got aboard on an error, scoring Toguchi on the play. Another Menehune miscue got Nahea Quereto aboard to score McCabe before Kapa‘a chalked its first out, the play advancing Quereto to second and Kaui perching at third.
Pristian Fejeder reached first on yet another Menehune miscue, followed by Lerae’ Ho‘opi‘i walking to drive Kaui across the plate before Waimea stopped the bleeding with a double play leaving two runners stranded.
Shelly Koerte, celebrating her 18th birthday, picked up the complete-game win, allowing eight runs, two earned, on 11 hits while walking one and striking out two. This is her fourth win of the season.
Napoleon suffered the loss, allowing 17 runs, nine earned, on 12 hits while striking out three and walking eight batters. She also hit three batters.
Tafiti, ending with a home run and two singles, along with Alyssa Jardin’s three singles led the Menehune bats. Tafiti also scored two runs and notched two RBIs, while Jardin had two runs, two stolen bases and two RBIs.
Matagiese finished with two hits, including a triple in the fifth inning that coupled with a Kapa‘a error for a base-sliding score. She scored four times and had two steals.
Sienna Santiago, scoring three times with two stolen bags, marked a bunt single. Krysta Kali, Kawehi Ephan and Cassandra Dupree marked singles for Waimea.
Waimea hosts Kaua‘i, Saturday starting at 10 a.m. at the Waimea Canyon Park.
