KAPA‘A — The Waimea Menehune went from almost being no-hit to an offensive machine in the period of one afternoon. And all it means for head coach Michael Rita and his team is they get one more crack at the
KAPA‘A — The Waimea Menehune went from almost being no-hit to an offensive machine in the period of one afternoon. And all it means for head coach Michael Rita and his team is they get one more crack at the Kaua‘i Red Raiders.
After being limited to one hit and no runs in Game 1 of Saturday’s double header against Kapa‘a by Turtle Kuhaulua, the Menehune broke out for 16 runs and 12 hits in a 16-4 Game 2 rout.
The win in Game 2 improved the Menehune’s Round 2 record to 4-2, clinching the round. The Menehune will now face the Round 1 champion Kaua‘i Red Raiders in a one-game playoff of the KIF title on a date to be determined.
Following a 3-1 win over the Red Raiders on Wednesday, the Menehune came into Saturday’s two-game title hot. The Waimea fire was promptly doused the Kuhaulua’s right arm. The Kapa‘a starter dazzled from the mound. A fourth inning bloop single off the bat of Mikeo Rita was the only hit the sophomore allowed. In the complete game win, Kuhaulua struck out seven batters, walked none and faced only one-batter over the possible minimum.
“I asked him before the game to pitch his best game ever,” Kapa‘a head coach Bryan Aiwohi said, “and he did.”
Kuhaulua got all the run support he need in the bottom of the first inning. After Waimea starter Mikeo Rita hit Kalen Iwai with one out, senior Bronson Aiwohi laced a double to left field to drive in the game’s only run.
Kuhaulua said he would have preferred a little bit more breathing room, but his arm felt good and he had enough confidence in his pitches to get the job done.
“My change up was working really well today,” Kuhaulua said. “I get a lot of movement with it and I was really feeling it today.”
Kuhaulua’s performance on the mound upstaged a solid start by Rita. The Waimea hurler limited the Warriors to four hits and the single run, while striking our six and walking none.
The Kapa‘a win set up a decisive second game of the day. It was a must-win game for the Warriors to keep their Round 2 hopes alive. It was just as urgent for the Menehune. If the Warriors won the game and won Wednesday against Kaua‘i, Kapa‘a would claim the round and leave the Menehune out of the championship game. If the Warriors fell to the Red Raiders, it would have created a three-team playoff for the Round 2 crown.
But the Waimea offense wanted no part of a potentially complicated playoff scenario and rattled off six first-inning runs to take control. The Menehune added two runs in the second, six in the third and two in the fourth. Jordan Kamakea had two hits, three runs scored and a RBI while Mikeo Rita added three of his own hits to pace the offense. BJ Freitas picked up the victory on the mound.
“The team really wanted to win that one,” coach Rita said. “Turtle pitched a great first game and hats off to him. Our bats woke up for the second game and we hit the ball.”
Coach Rita said the Menehune played like their backs were up against a wall in the second game — something he hopes will carry over to the title match.
“Kaua‘i’s a great team and we are , too,” he said. “We have to go out there and from the first pitch play great baseball.”
