LIHUE — The Menehune opened its 2019 campaign with a win on the road.
Waimea High School’s varsity baseball team defeated Kauai High School, 7-4, in the Kauai Interscholastic Federation season opener Saturday afternoon at Vidinha Stadium. It was the first game of a scheduled doubleheader.
Waimea (1-0 KIF) got out to a 5-1 lead after three innings.
The Menehune got two runs in the second inning. Second baseman Deiton Ottoman hit an RBI single to center field, and outfielder Levi Snowden drew a walk with the bases loaded to plate the second run in the inning.
Waimea got three more runs in the third inning. First baseman Lacin Montemayor hit an RBI single to right field to bring home the runner from second. Third baseman Christian Cardejon crossed home plate on a wild pitch. Ottoman hit into a fielder’s choice to plate the runner from third.
The Menehune padded their lead with two more runs in the fifth inning. Outfielder Noa Aquino crossed home plate on a wild pitch, and Ottoman scored on an error.
Kauai (0-1 KIF) got its first run in the third inning when third baseman Nainoa Kane-Yates, who later pitched in relief, crossed home plate on an error.
The Red Raiders got two more runs in the sixth inning. Keanu Silva scored on a wild pitch, and outfielder Avery Casticimo scored from third base as catcher Chayse Garcia hit into a groundout.
Kauai plated one more run in the seventh inning when Kane-Yates scored on a wild pitch.
Waimea got seven runs on four hits, left 10 runners on base and recorded three errors. Starting pitcher Tysson Unciano got the win. Unciano went 6 1/3 innings and threw three strikeouts and a walk.
Kauai got four runs on seven hits, left seven runners on base and had three errors. Starting pitcher Ricky Rego took the loss. Rego went 1 2/3 innings and threw five strikeouts and three walks.
The second game Saturday was called off because of rain and will be rescheduled at a later time.
Kauai will play at Kapaa High School (0-0 KIF) at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Waimea will host Kapaa for a doubleheader on Saturday at Hanapepe Stadium. The first game is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.
Box score
Waimea: seven runs, four hits, 10 runners left on base, three errors; winning pitcher: Tysson Unciano, 6 1/3 inning pitched, three strikeouts, one walk, four runs allowed on seven hits; stat leader: Deiton Ottoman, 2-3, single, one run scored
Kauai: four runs, seven hits, seven runners left on base, three errors; losing pitcher: Ricky Rego, 1 2/3 innings pitched, five strikeouts, three walks, two runs allowed on two hits; stat leader: Tyler Oshima, 2-3, double, single
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
