LIHU‘E — A five-run third inning and a rock steady pitching performance sent the Kaua‘i Red Raiders to a 6-2 victory in Saturday’s Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation championship game against the Waimea Menehune at Vidinha Stadium. Kaua‘i supplied just four hits
LIHU‘E — A five-run third inning and a rock steady pitching performance sent the Kaua‘i Red Raiders to a 6-2 victory in Saturday’s Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation championship game against the Waimea Menehune at Vidinha Stadium.
Kaua‘i supplied just four hits in the game, but took advantage of some Waimea miscues to put together five runs in the third. The Raiders got a complete-game victory from pitcher Shea Shimabukuro, who threw seven innings and gave up two runs — one earned — on seven hits, while walking two.
With the score tied at 1-1, Erin Doi led off the bottom of the third and laced a double to left field for his second hit in as many at-bats. A one-out walk to Jensen Koga put runners at the corners for Austin Oshiro. The catcher laid down a perfect bunt that scored Doi from third, who seemed to tweak a hamstring while racing down the line towards the plate.
With first and second and one man out, Kellen Aquino struck out swinging, but took off for first on the dropped third strike. The catcher gathered the ball and threw to first base, but the throw was off the mark and got away, allowing Jensen to score from third base for a 3-1 lead.
Travis Koga then reached on another infield error, while courtesy runner Kendall Rivera scored on the play. Hank “Kawika” Ibia made it a 5-1 game as he came through with an RBI single that scored Aquino. Travis scored the final run of the inning when Ibia was caught leaning and got himself in a pickle between first and second. The play occupied the Waimea defenders long enough for Travis to cross the plate for a 6-1 Raider lead.
The Raiders didn’t get any more base hits the rest of the game, but they got timely defense and didn’t let the Menehune bats get going as they have been accustomed to. Shimabukuro quelled the final Waimea gasp in the top of the seventh, giving up one run on a pair of hits and a walk, but getting the final out with Kaimana Perreira-Alquiza standing in the on-deck circle, representing the tying run.
Doi went 2 for 3 with a run scored for Kaua‘i, before coming out of the game in favor of Cody Juarez in the late stages. Ibia was 1 for 3 with an RBI and Stephen Perreira was also 1 for 3 with an RBI.
Travis Koga scored a pair of runs and had an RBI, Oshiro had an RBI and Jensen Koga and Aquino each scored a run.
Jordan Kamakea went 2 for 3 for the Menehune. Shylen Keuma was 1 for 4 with an RBI, Perreira-Alquiza was 1 for 3 with a run and Chyson Soares, Brock Ephan and Bryson Tacata each had a base hit.
Waimea was first to get on the scoreboard in the top of the second inning. Perreira-Alquiza led off with a single, followed by a Kamakea base hit. Mikeo Rita sacrificed them over with a bunt, putting runners on second and third with one out. Perreira-Alquiza was caught leaning off third base, but the throw from the catcher got away and he came in to score for a 1-0 Waimea lead. The Menehune went on to strand two runners in the frame and did not expand on their lead.
The Red Raiders tied things up in the bottom half of the inning, getting a lead off walk for Travis Koga. He was sacrificed to second by Ibia and then stole third base. Perreira came through with a single to center field that scored the runner and evened the game at 1-1.
Trailing 6-1 and having just three outs to play with, Ephan led off the top of the seventh with a single to left field. Bryson Tacata drew a one-out walk that put two on with one out. After a pop out to third, Keuma singled to right field, scoring courtesy runner Brock Tacata from second base. Now up four runs with two on and two out, Shimabukuro induced the foul pop to end the day and secure the KIF title for the Red Raiders.
Keuma was the starter and got the loss for Waimea, going 2.1 innings and giving up four runs — two earned — on three hits and three walks. Mikeo Rita finished the game, going 3.2 innings and giving up two runs on one hit, while striking out four.
The eighth meeting between the two teams this year gave Kaua‘i the season series, finishing up with four wins, three losses and one tie against Waimea.
The Raiders’ approach at the plate seemed to be to put the ball in play, move runners over and make things happen on the basepaths. They weren’t playing for big innings, but ended up getting one by being active at the dish.
Shimabukuro didn’t overpower the Waimea lineup, as the senior didn’t record a strikeout in the game. But he was around the plate and, other than a few leadoff hitters, was getting ahead in the count for much of the day.
Including two playoff games, the Red Raiders finish the season with a 9-4-1 record in KIF play. The Menehune finish with an 8-4-1 record, while the Kapa‘a Warriors went 1-10.
The next step for Kaua‘i High will be the Wally Yonamine Foundation Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association Division II tournament, which will take place from May 5 to 7 at both the Hans L’Orange Field and Les Murakami Stadium on O‘ahu.
