HANAPEPE — Warriors junior starting pitcher Chayse Basuel threw a 1-hitter as Kapaa High School’s varsity baseball team defeated Waimea, 6-0, Thursday at Hanapepe Stadium. “We wanted to see how Basuel did today. I think he did a pretty good
HANAPEPE — Warriors junior starting pitcher Chayse Basuel threw a 1-hitter as Kapaa High School’s varsity baseball team defeated Waimea, 6-0, Thursday at Hanapepe Stadium.
“We wanted to see how Basuel did today. I think he did a pretty good job,” said Kapaa head coach Bryan Aiwohi. “Not sure what the total stats was, but I think he threw a 1-hitter into the sixth inning.
“Wanted to see what he would do in the seventh. If he walked somebody, we were going to yank him,” he continued. “It worked out for us.”
Basuel had not allowed a hit through the first five innings.
In the first at bat in the bottom of the sixth, Menehune senior catcher Caleb Ephan broke the no-hitter with a double to right-center field.
Basuel was substituted in the seventh inning after walking the leadoff hitter, Menehune freshman relief pitcher Tysson Unciano. He ended with allowing just the one hit in six-plus innings, had 10 strikeouts, five walks and two hit-by-pitches.
“Can’t ask for much more than that out of a pitcher,” Aiwohi said. “He threw good in the pen this week. He was hitting his spots. He was keeping his strikes down. His curveball was working. Coaches all talked, and we decided to give him a shot.”
Kapaa (2-1 KIF) scored three runs in the top of the third inning. Warriors junior infielder Ekolu Rivera hit a 2-RBI double and junior designated hitter Kade Kupihea knocked an RBI single — both to left field.
A pair of fielding errors by the Menehune got those two runners on base for Rivera.
Ahead four runs going into the seventh inning, the Warriors scored two more off a 2-RBI single to left field by junior outfielder Kalena Harder.
Kapaa got its six runs off five hits and left nine runners on base.
“I was happy with the sacrifice bunting and moving the runners over,” Aiwohi said. “We did miss signals again. It happens. We were able to overcome it this time. We got to work on it some more.”
Waimea (0-1 KIF) had a chance to get on the board in the final inning.
After the first walk allowed by Basuel, sophomore reliever Kaimi Malina — who started the game as an infielder — allowed two more walks to load the bases after notching a flyout and a strikeout.
Ephan took the plate with the bases loaded for the Menehune, but a pop-up to the catcher ended the game.
Waimea totaled just the one hit and left seven runners on base and had three errors, including the two in the third inning, to Kapaa’s one.
“This game of baseball, it’s a funny game,” said Waimea head coach Larry Ephan. “But the bottom line is the team that’s going to win is the team that takes care of the ball defense, is able to score up on the ball on offense and execute.
“Kapaa came out and did all that. They took care of the ball on defense and executed on offense. We, on the other hand, couldn’t take care of the ball,” he continued. “And we couldn’t hit. Couldn’t hit the ball.”
Menehune sophomore starting pitcher Reyden Rull took the loss for Waimea — going 3 2/3 innings and totaled three runs off five hits, two strikeouts, one walk and one hit-by-pitch.
“Mentally, we’re not there. Physically, we’re capable of doing everything that is asked,” Ephan said. “For example, we blew three bunts. Had a chance to execute and put guys in scoring position in the early innings. We just didn’t do it.”
Waimea will play Kauai High (1-1 KIF) for a doubleheader Saturday at Vidinha Stadium. The first game will start 4 p.m.
Kapaa will next play Kauai at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Vidinha.
