WAIMEA — Seijia Makanani threw a one-hitter to lead Kapaa to a 4-2 edge over Waimea High School, Wednesday night during the Kauai Interscholastic Federation softball game at the Waimea Canyon Park.
Facing a two-runs-to-tie, three-runs-to-win by Waimea in the home half of the seventh inning, Makanani rifled low balls across the plate, and the Warrior defense took out the side in order for the win.
“We practice around game-based situations,” said Kapaa coach Francis Takasaki. “The focus is on the process, not the outcome. We want the girls to experience playing in clutch high pressure situations so they don’t unravel.”
In addition to her pitching performance, Makanani topped the Warrior batting with a pair of singles in her three appearances at the box. Kapaa tallied six hits, including a bunt single by Shanayah Marshall, for its four runs in the Warriors’ third consecutive win.
Makanani scored once in the fourth inning when Kapaa pushed four runs across the plate on three hits.
The challenge was answered in the sixth inning when Waimea marked two runs on one hit, a single by Maegan Soares that scored Jenessa Freitas who got first after being hit by a pitch.
A Kapaa error with two outs pushed Soares home for Waimea’s final score.
Overall, Waimea finished with just three hits, led by senior Leiko Yamauchi whacking into a double in the second inning. Kiyana Kaiwi notched the Menehune’s third hit, also in the second frame.
Those pair of hits moved Kapaa starter Marshall off the mound after giving up the two hits while striking out five Menehune batters and giving up a pair of walks.
Makanani went the remainder of the game, allowing one hit, striking out five Menehune batters, giving up no walks, but hitting one batter.
Makanani also marked two of the Warriors’ five hits. Shaylin Rivera marked two RBI on her single in the fourth, and Kendra Kupihea marked an RBI on her single in the fourth.
Shandalyn Kuhlmann suffered the loss for Waimea, going the distance giving up five hits while striking out two Warrior hitters, giving up no walks and hitting two Warriors.
Waimea next hosts Kauai High School in a twinbill, Saturday when the first pitch goes off at the Waimea Canyon Park at 10 a.m.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
