KAPAA — High scoring offense continues to make the weekend Kauai Senior Softball games. The East Kauai Legends had their home field at the Bryan Baptiste Sports Complex ready for four games while the all natural carpet of Puhi Park was put in order by the Ohana Motors Rebels for a trio of ballgames.
In Kapaa, the Legends went up against Hana Hou at daybreak and went toe to toe for seven innings. The lineup put together by Hana Hou was just too much as the Legends went down, 13-9. Hana Hou is keeping pace with the league in their first year as one of four two-loss teams.
The Keonimana Gents made short work of their encounter with the Aloha Kia Lihue A’s. The A’s have played the Gents tough in the past, but the Gents responded with clout of their own and slugged their way to a 20-8 victory. Keonimana remains undefeated through six games while the A’s fell for just their second loss of the season.
The third matchup between the Hanamaulu Hillsiders and Kuku’s Aces was the first of two day-ending run scoring thrillers. Pete Rayno and the Hillsiders took the field looking for their first win as Francis DeCosta sent his Ace hitters to plate after their first win. Both clubs have had no problem scoring runs in the first month and this game was more of the same as they put up 29 runs. The Hillsiders cranked out several rallies on their way to posting 13 runs. Kuku’s crew came through with the heavier lumber and drove their way to a 16-13 win.
The final game of the day was a nail-bitter battle with Kawaihau trying to hold home turf against Ohana. The teams entered the game with just two losses on their records. Henry Hee had Kawaihau up for the challenge, matching runs and staying even. But Frank Bukoski has Ohana taking care of business with a potent lineup that keeps scoring runs and Ohana pulled out a 15-13 squeaker as one of the four two-loss teams.
The sun was shining bright at the Rebels Field at Puhi Park for the early morning collision between the Rebels and the Rookies. Gary Yate’s had the Rebels off to a fast start and an early lead. Alan Horikawa kept the Rookies in the game, stranding a dozen runners hoping to get a late rally. In the top of the seventh, Nelson Chiba brought some hope for the visitors with a massive 325-foot two-run home run over the wall into the deep left field forest. The next Rookie hitter belted a drive into the deepest corner of the outfield tracked down on a sprinting grab by Rebel Clay Carvalho for the final out of a 10-4 Rebel win.
Tom Christy and Solid Steel finally got to play a game on their home field in the mid-morning game taking on West Kauai. Puhi Park is home to Solid Steel in their first year as well the Rebels home diamond. West Kauai stunned the Steel with rallies to the open the game and take leads. Solid Steel used their entire lineup to keep the pressure on and get in position to end the game with a 12-run lead. West Kauai had none of that as Ruthie Potts cracked her second two-run triple of the game to keep her team in the game. Solid Steel forged their way to a 20-8 win in their home opener. They have a single loss in the season.
The Puhi games saved their wildest contest for the final game of the day with Barteks facing the Islanders. Joe Bertucci got the Islanders into a great position with an early lead and stiff defense. It looked like Pat Baniaga’s Barteks team was headed for an upset down and running out of time. Helped out by some great running catches Barteks outfield, the veteran lineup didn’t miss a beat and turned two late rallies down the stretch to hold off the Islanders, 12-9.
There will be more action packed Kauai Senior Softball this Saturday with Da Kruzers hosting four games at the Wailua Houselots Garden Park. Da Kruzers will start the day with Hana Hou in the sunrise special. Barteks will make the trip from the west side to take on the East Kauai Legends. East faces West again in the third game with Kawaihau up against West Kauai. The games conclude with the league’s two undefeated teams squaring off as the Keonimana Gents and the Ohana Motors Rebels take the field.
The Hanamaulu Hillsiders will have the Peter Rayno Softball Stadium ready for a doubleheader in Hanamaulu. The breakfast game features the Hillsiders and Ohana. Solid Steel will try to stay on their roll, taking on the Rookies in one of their most serious challenges.
