LIHUE — Facing a 16-0 hole in the home half of the fifth inning, Kauai High School scored a run to prevent a shutout Wednesday during its 16-1 loss to Kapaa High School at Isenberg Park.
Pushing off home runs from Savannah Simmons and Tiani Kaui, the Warriors churned up 11 runs on 10 hits in a big second inning before an appreciative Warrior fan base that was bathed in the golden light of the supermoon that peeked over the rooftops of the neighboring Lihue Neighborhood Center.
“The girls’ hitting was more consistent,” said Kapaa coach Francis Takasaki. “Our players had more life at the plate. They’ve faced Cody Lagazo before and had better pitch selection.”
During the big inning, Kapaa freshman Seija Makanani was able to convert a single, her sole bang of the night, into a solo in-the-park homer off a long ball to right field.
Makanani later went on to relieve starting pitcher Shanayah “Ini” Marshall, who gave up no runs and hurled a three-hitter. Marshall struck out four Raider batters and walked just one Raider before turning over the ball to Makanani, who closed out the 10-run ruling game with a hit, two walks and a strikeout.
Simmons topped the Warrior hitting, finishing the shortened game with a home run, a single and a pair of RBIs. Kaui had a home run. Makanani was credited with a single along with Shailee Telles-Kelekoma, who marked an RBI with her shot to center field. Kendra Kupihea marked three singles.
Marshall finished with a pair of singles and an RBI. Shaylin Rivera marked a single with two RBIs, and Kaia Davis-Caberto finished with a single and two RBIs.
Lagazo suffered the loss for Kauai High School, allowing 17 hits for Kapaa’s 16 runs, struck out a pair of Warrior hitters and walked one.
Red Raiders hits were all singles that came off Leinoe Bumanglad-Padilla, Stephanie Lopes and Waileia Siale-Santos, who was injured in the second inning after tripping over the first base bag following her bang into left field. She was replaced by Jennifer Estacio until the fourth frame before returning to the lineup.
Injuries affected the Raider lineup on the field, moving Kassidie Bukoski to the shortstop slot normally occupied by Justice Funamura-Sasil, and Lagazo to the mound traditionally occupied by Dreanalynn Tafiti.
“I’ve been out for three games,” Funamura-Sasil said. “But I’m still working in the dugout, getting the girls excited and staying in the game. Hopefully, I’ll be cleared for Round 2.”
Kauai coach Shana Tafiti also kept the girls on track. The Raider players left the post-game huddle on a high note.
“We still practice hard every day,” said Tafiti, who took over the reins of the team for the first time this season. “There is a lot of work to do, yet. But the girls work hard and have good work ethic.”
The Kapaa win sets the stage for 10 a.m. Saturday when the Warriors host Waimea in a doubleheader at Kapaa High School.
“We’re just trying to survive,” Takasaki said. “We need one win to take the first round. Waimea needs the sweep to force a playoff. This is a young team we’re working with. It’s different from the previous teams — they have different styles of play, and we’re adapting.”
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
