Menehune clinches first round in KIF softball

LIHU‘E — Waimea softball pitcher Taelor Camelo threw a no-hitter, and the Menehune went on to take the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation softball Round 1 crown following its 10-0 shutout over Kaua‘i High School at Isenberg Park.

Playing before an audience hungry for a Red Raider win, Waimea scored its 10 runs on seven hits. Waimea was led by Sianni Sakai, who finished the game-shortened by the 10-run ruling by nailing a pair of doubles, scoring twice, and driving home four runners.

Ryleah Torres had a 2-run homer in the fifth inning, and Kamaile Valente had two singles, scored once, and marked an RBI in the win.

Camelo picked up the victory on the mound. She walked no one, and struck out six Red Raider hitters.

Kamryn Yates suffered the loss with seven hits allowed, striking out four Menehune hitters, and walking six. She also hit two batters.

With two outs in the third frame, Waimea churned up four runs, its most productive in the contest, after Kaua‘i could not shut the door on the frame.

Alia Lazaro got first on a fielder’s choice, Ari Acosta walked, and both scored on Sakai’s double. Sakai scored when Nakeisha Olivas got to first on a miscue, and Olivas scored on a wild pitch before Yates struck out Kayani Santos to end the threat.

Waimea next hosts Kapa‘a High School in a doubleheader on Saturday at Waimea Canyon Park, where the first pitch is at 10 a.m.