HANAPEPE — Mayor Derek Kawakami tossed the first pitch of the Kauai Senior softball season to House Majority Leader, Dee Morikawa.
Morikawa ripped a line-drive up the middle that the gloveless Mayor snared on the fly, and the games were underway.
While under brilliant blue skies, there was no joy in mud Ville as the day’s seven games paid tribute the players lost over the past year, in particular, the recent passing of the League Commissioner Pedro “Pat” Baniaga.
Senate President Ron Kouchi acknowledged Baniaga’s contributions to the sport and gave tribute to the senior teams that put extra care and attention to the maintenance of the community parks. Morikawa wished all players good health, sportsmanship, and fun.
Kawakami made a special effort to recognize and honor Baniaga’s impact on the league and the softball facilities at Hanapepe Stadium.
He announced to the crowd that the softball field would “no longer be called Hanapepe Field 4,” but “the Pat Baniaga Softball Field.”
Irving Soto relayed messages fromBaniaga’s family and spoke of the countless memories everyone shared with Baniaga, including a post-competition toast. Soto introduced the 2020 League Board with Steven Fujii, Treasurer, Jed Somit, Secretary, a call for nominations for the open Vice President seat, and President Joe Bertucci. The League Commissioner is Mike Curtis stepping up from his previous post of President of the Board.
The 14 teams took the field in perfect conditions using both of the ball fields at the Hanapepe Stadium Complex.
Barteks overpower Legends
Barteks began the year taking on the East Kauai Legends. The Barteks bats showed no rust from the offseason and opened the game with explosive five-run attacks.
The Legends didn’t fade and fought back rallying for four runs, but that was not enough as Barteks overpowered them in five innings 19 to 4.
Solid steel dominates West Kauai
On the opposite diamond, Solid Steel and West Kauai squared off. Solid Steel put in extra work in the offseason, and they showed what they could do, pounding out a series of five-run innings in their game.
Five runs are the maximum number of runs allowed to a team’s offense in a single half-inning until the final 7th-inning. West Kauai came to play but was over-matched early and fell 20-5 in another five-inning game.
Rookies dominate Hillsliders
The Rookies drew the Hanamaulu Hillsiders in the second game on the Baniaga Field. The Rookies displayed another impressive lineup using long deep drives, otherwise known as homeruns, and solid line drives in the allies. Interestingly enough, the visitor in the first two games at each field scored either four or five runs against some smothering defenses. The Rookies used their power and made a statement to the league running away with an 18-5 first game win.
Kawaihau clutch-hitting tops Ohana
Ohana
Across the park, Ohana mixed it up with Kawaihau. Both clubs are sporting improved rosters with sharp hitting and slick gloves. Kawaihau used their clutch hitting in key opportunities to pull out an impressive win. Ohana, despite a veteran line-up of great hitters, were shut down and came up with only four runs in the first full-length game of the opening day. Kawaihau was on fire, posting 14 big runs to capture the victory, 14-4.
Rebels edge Da Kruzers
The Ohana Motors Rebels got their season started with a game against Da Kruzers. These two clubs made slight adjustments over the winter. The Rebels got off to a rough start falling behind 6-2 in the first two innings. Da Kruzers came up with clutch defensive plays to obstruct the Rebels offensive and kept putting runs on the board. By mid-game, the Rebels bats came to life, and Ohana Motors put up three consecutive 5’s to take a 20-11 win.
Lihue A’s top Islanders
At the same time, the Aloha Kia Lihue A’s got into a battle with the Islanders on the other field. The two teams turned in the best game of the day going down to the wire. The Islanders now sport the youngest roster in the league while the other teams continue to age. That advantage kept them up with the talented and experienced A’s. The game was on the line up to the final out, and the A’s had experience on their side, shaving out a 9-8 victory.
Keonimana topples Aces
The games wrapped up with the defending Champion Keonimana Gents taking on Kuku’s Aces. The Gents explosive line-up went to work early and often with blast resulting in five-run innings. The Aces played a good game even though they were overpowered first. The seven runs for the Aces were a good sign against the tough Gent defense. It’s the 25 runs they score that is hard to deal with. Keonimana opened its 2020 season with a substantial 25-7 conquest.
On Deck
The teams will hit the road this Saturday with games at the Bryan J Baptiste Sports Complex Softball stadium and the compact Eleele Field. Kawaihau and the Aloha Kia Lihue A’s open the day in Kapaa with the first game.
The Rookies will go up against the Ohana Motors Rebels in game two. The Islanders will take on Kuku’s Aces following that contest. The morning wraps up with the East Kauai Legends facing the Keonimana Gents.
At the Plumeria surrounded diamond in Eleele Solid Steel gets the games underway facing Barteks in a hot contest. Da Kruzers have Ohana in the second game. The day concludes with the Hanamaulu Hillsides in a slugfest with West Kauai. The games begin at 9 a.m. each Saturday.
Kauai Senior Softball Results
(Pat Baniaga Field)
Barteks 19, East Kauai Legends 4
Rookies 18, Hanamaulu Hillsiders 5
Ohana Motors Rebels 20, Da Kruzers 11
Keonimana Gents 25, Kuku’s Aces 7
(Hanapepe B)
Solid Steel 20, West Kauai 5
Kawaihau 14, Ohana 4
Aloha Kia Lihue A’s 9, Islanders 8
