KAPAA — The Kapaa High softball team capitalized on costly Kauai High errors to take a 9-5 victory in the second match of a double-header Saturday at the Kapaa High softball field. The Warriors, first-round champs and in first place
KAPAA — The Kapaa High softball team capitalized on costly Kauai High errors to take a 9-5 victory in the second match of a double-header Saturday at the Kapaa High softball field.
The Warriors, first-round champs and in first place in the second round, can clinch the overall Kauai Interscholastic Federation title with a win at Waimea Wednesday.
Earlier in the day, the Warriors jumped on the Red Raiders for a 15-5 in a game shortened to five innings by the 10-run rule to open the celebration of its four seniors: Kailee River, Jazmin Kaleiohi, Tyra Alao and Selena Morita.
The Warriors lost little time making a statement in the second outing, pushing four runs on two hits and three Kauai miscues across the plate before getting its first out. Kauai committed six errors in the game to the Warriors’ four.
Kapaa catcher Sabrina Telles-Kelekoma helped clear the bases that were filled with Warriors who got aboard after being hit by a pitch and a pair of errors. She pushed the first two runs home on a 2-RBI single to right center.
Alao singled to left before another Kauai error on Kendra Kupihea’s bat saw two Warriors, Leipua Kaui and Kaleiohi, score.
Kauai answered in the second frame when Kaylana Maghanoy got to first on a Kapaa throwing error, moving along on a fielder’s choice by Kaylee Braun, Maghanoy scoring on another throwing error for the 4-1 Kapaa lead.
The Raiders came close in the third inning, moving two runs on one hit when Kahela Nishikawa-Chandler and Hilarie Marcelino both occupied base on fielder’s choice plays with one out. Following its second out, Nishikawa-Chandler crossed on another Warrior error, and Marcelino came home on an RBI single from Braun for the 4-3 Warrior edge.
Kapaa moved further ahead by scoring two runs in the fourth inning and three in the sixth inning, for the final tally.
Kaleiohi opened the Kapaa fourth frame with a two-bagger to right and scored off an error by a ball hit by Morita. Tia Takasaki pushed Morita home with an RBI infield single for the 6-3 count.
The Raiders could only answer with two runs in the seventh frame when Justice Funamura-Sasil got first on an error followed by Nishikawa-Chandler smacking a double to left. Both runners scored on Marcelino’s 2-RBI shot to right center for the final math.
Both teams finished by notching seven hits apiece, Kapaa getting its lead from Takasaki who finished with a triple and a single with an RBI. Kupihea had a single with two RBI, and Kaleiohi had a double.
Tia Rego tripled to lead the Red Raider bats, followed by Nishikawa-Chandler, who doubled and singled. Marcelino finished with two singles and two RBI, and Braun had a single and RBI to lead the Raider hitters.
Kapaa closes its season Wednesday, traveling to the Waimea Canyon Park for a single game against Waimea. First pitch in the night game goes at 5:30 p.m.
Kauai enjoys a bye before closing its season Saturday by hosting Waimea at Isenberg Park starting at 9 a.m.
