ELEELE — The Kauai Senior Softball League was in action with eight games in Eleele and Kaumakani with some exciting finishes and teams making moves in the standings.
West Kauai spruced up their home field in Eleele for four games on the slate while the Rookies hung their banners and opened up the Wally Sonoda Softball Park in Kaumakani for another four games.
The Plumeria-lined park in Eleele had an early wake-up call with West Kauai taking on Solid Steel. But Solid Steel put a sleeper hold on the home team with a stingy defense, tough pitching and power-hitting. Solid Steel pounded the ball in every inning while putting a blanket on the West Kauai hitters. The game ended after five innings with Solid Steel slamming their way to a 21-0 shutout.
Barteks was on a roll and faced the Islanders. Once again, the Islanders were able to put some numbers on the scoreboard, putting together hits and posting six runs. Barteks continued to drive the ball and run aggressively on the bases. Barteks’ lineup is also starting to produce some offense as they ripped the ball. Barteks rang up a dozen runs in knocking off the Islanders, 12-6.
Ohana squared off with Kawaihau in a tense game. Ohana had the benefit of playing on their home field against the Eastside team and kept a lid on the timely hitting of Henry Hee’s crew. Kawaihau challenged with four runs in a low-scoring game. Ohana, still in the league race, was not to be denied and answered the call with seven of their own to come away with a 7-4 victory.
The day ended with Kuku’s Aces taking on the Hanamaulu Hillsiders. This game turned into a wild contest down to the wire. The Aces came alive with their highest scoring output of the season. The Hillsiders responded to each challenge with a scoring barrage from their lineup. Kuku DeCosta’s Aces played one of their best games this year and blasted 10 runs. The Hillsiders were able to keep pace and rallied to capture a 14-10 nail-biting win.
Five of the league’s top teams squared off in Kaumakani, shaking up the standings. The Rookies played host for the day and opened the games with a showdown with the Ohana Motors Rebels. The Rebels, who had been sailing along, found that runs were hard to come by, mustering eight in an offensive battle. The Rookies have been red hot lately and hammered the Rebels to run away with a 13-8 win to move up in the standings and close the gap with the Rebels.
The Aloha Kia Lihue A’s had the league-leading Keonimana Gents to face in the second contest. The A’s are one of the only teams to have given the Gents a hard time in the past seasons. The Gents were able to turn the tide and swept their series this year with the A’s. Dwight Fujii had the A’s trying to muster offense to the tune of seven runs. That would not be enough as the Gents continue to pound the opponents with error-free defense and non-stop hitting. The Gents picked up their 19th win of the season with only one loss in a 19-7 trouncing.
Hana Hou was on the rebound, taking on the East Kauai Legends in game three. Hana Hou hit, and the Legends not so much. Hana Hou turned in some great glove work in limiting the Legends strong hitting attack. They also had free range on the bases and able to put together big innings. Hana Hou climbed back into the winners circle with a 13-1 triumph.
The Rookies and Hana Hou pulled a doubleheader on the schedule, making up a previous rainout to finish the day. The Rookies were still tuned up from their earlier victory over the Rebels and kept the pressure on with solid hitting throughout the game. The game was called early with the Rookies racking up 19 more runs (32 runs for the day), taking down Hana Hou, 19-6, in their climb up the league ladder.
The league will be back on the Eastside for seven games Saturday. Kawaihau will invite four games to play at their home park at the Wailua Houselots Garden Park. The East Kauai Legends will sweep the Bryan J Baptiste Sports Complex Softball Stadium into shape for a triple-header.
Kawaihau faces West Kauai in the Wailua opener. The Rookies go up against Solid Steel in a battle of the aluminum bats. Ohana has the Hanamaulu Hillsiders on the card for game three. The morning wraps up with Hana Hou taking on Da Kruzers.
At the Bryan Baptiste Sports Complex, the East Kauai Legends will have Barteks in the opening game. The Aloha Kia Lihue A’s will try to bounce back taking on the Islanders. The day ends with the senior league’s top two teams going at it with the Ohana Motors Rebels pitted with the Keonimana Gents.
