Menehune sweep Kapa‘a on Warriors’ new field

The Waimea Menehune swept its doubleheader against the Kapa‘a Warriors in the Warriors’ inaugural game on its new softball field Saturday.

Waimea catcher Kawehi Ephan, coming off a home run against Kaua‘i Wednesday, added two more Saturday, leading the Menehune to a 17-1 opener in five innings.

Kapa‘a stayed away from the powerful catcher in the second game, but instead, Ulu Matagiese, the Menehune centerfielder, smacked a triple to lead the Menehune to a 15-2 showing, the game also being called after five innings on the 10-run ruling.

Ephan led the hitting, Waimea getting 14 hits for its 17 runs in Game 1, finishing with two home runs and a double while scoring three runs. Leadoff hitter Sienna Santiago finished with a single and two bunt singles, scoring four times to lead the Waimea hitting.

Kapa‘a’s sole run came when Reggie McCabe, getting first on a fielder’s choice in the second inning,  crossed on Kalia Kaui’s single to leftfield with two away.

Deanalynn Tafiti, adding her second win, allowed the one run on four hits while striking out six, walking seven and hitting one batter.

She picked up her third win in the nightcap, allowing two runs on four hits, striking out four and walking three.

Kapa‘a picked up its run in the first and fifth inning. Aliyah Cummings finishing 2-for-3 in the box, opened with a double before scoring. Ka‘anoi Marshall, walking in the fifth frame, scored on a Cummings’ single with no outs before Tafiti shut down the inning in order.

Krysta Kali finished 3-for-4 in hitting for Waimea in Game 2, ending with three singles and scoring three times. Taylor, going 0-for-4 in Game 2, also scored three times after getting aboard on two walks and being hit once. Matagiese, finishing with a triple and a single, scored twice to lead the Menehune hitting.

Kapa‘a next travels to Isenberg Park Wednesday for a single game against the Kaua‘i Red Raiders, with the first pitch going at 5:30 p.m.