Kauai High School’s varsity softball team defeated Kohala of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation on Friday at Patsy Mink Softball Stadium on Maui. The Red Raiders won 4-1 in a consolation game of the DataHouse Softball State Championships – Division
Kauai High School’s varsity softball team defeated Kohala of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation on Friday at Patsy Mink Softball Stadium on Maui.
The Red Raiders won 4-1 in a consolation game of the DataHouse Softball State Championships – Division II tournament.
“Our bats still aren’t as hot as we want them to be,” Kauai varsity softball head coach Elena Kealoha said in a phone interview. “Other than that, I think their nerves have settled a bit. I think that’s a big of why we were having such a hard time the other day.”
Kauai allowed just one run, which came in the first inning, despite Kohala getting more hits. Cowgirls junior first baseman Setsuko Kimura crossed home plate from third off a wild pitch.
Kealoha said the defense was much better compared to the team’s last game. In the 13-3 loss in the opening round to Saint Francis of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, Kauai committed five errors — all during the fifth inning in which the Saints scored eight of their 13 runs.
Kauai High struck off a two-run double by senior right fielder Shanie Querto in the second inning. Senior catcher Tammie Yoshimori and sophomore designated player Kyra Hirokane scored off Querto’s hit.
The Red Raiders scored two more times in the third inning. Sophomore second baseman Tia Takasaki crossed home plate off a Cowgirls error. Two at bats later, Yoshimori hit a grounder to second base for an RBI as senior shortstop Aleigha Scovel scored from third.
“We got to hit a lot more than we did today, but it’s coming around. So, we should be OK,” Kealoha said.
Kauai High got its four runs off six hits, left six runners on base and recorded two errors. Takasaki was 2-4 in the batters box, scoring one run.
Red Raiders starting pitcher, senior Kailee Nii, was the winning pitcher — striking out five in seven innings.
Kohala got its one run off eight hits, left four runners on base and recorded four errors. Kimura was 3-3 at the plate and scored the team’s lone run for the Cowgirls.
The losing pitcher was Cowgirls starter, freshman Mikayla Kekoa. She struck out seven batters in seven innings.
Kauai High plays in the consolation final at 11 a.m. today versus Molokai of the Maui Interscholastic League.
Molokai defeated Konawaena of the BIIF, 11-1, in a consolation game Thursday. That game ended after five innings because of the 10-run mercy rule.
“We just got to play our game. The girls are much better hitters and much better defenders than they have been,” Kealoha said. “We got to go back to play the way we know how to play.”
Statistics from Hawaii High School Athletic Association.
