LIHUE — The Kauai Senior Softball league converged for a full day of competition at Isenberg Park and the Peter Rayno Softball Park in Hanamaulu. Three teams remain tied atop the league standings with 5-0 records.
The defending champion Keonimana Gents continue to storm through the opposition while the Rookies and the Ohana Rebels keep pace in a tightened race.
At the Isenberg softball diamond, three games were played under perfect conditions. In the opening contest, host Aloha Kia Lihue A’s shellacked Kawaihau, 15-3. The A’s were able to put together several multiple run innings to put away Kawaihau and were up to the defensive challenge of cutting down the potent Kawaihau offense.
The East Kauai Legends and Kuku’s Aces put on a display of battling down to the wire. The Legends squeaked by with a 10-9 shaving of the Aces. In the nightcap of the triple-header, the Gents crushed Ohana, 13-1, to keep their hot streak going. A Tony Rapozo home run for Ohana prevented the shut out.
Over in Hanamaulu, a beautiful day broke out for four fine senior games. The Hanamaulu Hillsiders welcomed the Rookies for the early morning contest. The Rookies were too much to handle for the local squad. The Kaumakani crew got off to a slow start in a close game and then pounded out several 5-run innings to run away with a 19-3 victory. The Rookies are a serious contender for this year’s crown with solid performances each game in hitting and fielding.
Bartek’s and West Kauai squared off in a tight one in game number two. Bartek’s stayed close in the league standings, edging West Kauai, 14-13. Both sides clobbered the ball before Bartek’s could carve out a lead. West Kauai would not give up and continued to battle back, keeping the scoreboard close even to the point of having the tying run on base in the last inning. They ran out of gas with the final out, preserving the win for Barteks.
The third game found the Ohana Rebels with velcro gloves on defense as Larry Rego shutout Da Kruzers, 15-0, in six innings. The right-hander did not allow a Kruzer runner past second base, giving up only six hits. The day was capped off with a make up game between the Hillsiders and the Islanders that was rained out on Feb. 3. The Islanders, with a new line-up, look to be getting their game on with an 18-5 win — picking up their second victory of the season.
The Senior League standings will shake up this weekend when the Gents and the Rebels go at it at the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex in Kapaa. West Kauai will be back on the road in game two when they take on the Hillsiders of Hanamaulu, and the day will wrap up with Da Kruzers up against Barteks.
The Islanders will host the other triple-header at Peter Rayno Park, challenging the Rookies to start the day. A matchup between the Aloha Kia Lihue A’s and Ohana will be on tap in game two. The day will conclude with a cross-town rivalry as the East Kauai Legends battle Kawaihau. The games are scheduled for 9 a.m., 10:15 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
