LIHUE — Wednesday’s scheduled Kauai Interscholastic Federation varsity game between Kauai and Waimea high schools was postponed during play because of lightning.
At the time of stoppage, Waimea was leading, 10-4, in the bottom of the fifth inning with two outs. A makeup date will be determined at a later time.
It was at first decided to wait a half hour and see if the weather would allow the game to resume, but it was ultimately decided to end play.
“We know about the rules. They just told us a 30-minute break, and then continue the game and see what happens,” said Waimea head coach Michael Rita afterward. “Right now, we’re standing (on the field) and there’s no thunder and lightning. If we had the 30 minutes, we could continue.”
The game was supposed to resume Thursday afternoon, but again the weather didn’t allow the game to play on.
This is now the second KIF varsity baseball game that has to be made up. A game between Kapaa and Waimea high schools that was scheduled on March 14 was put off because of unfavorable field conditions due to rain.
Waimea (0-2 KIF) took a 7-0 lead after two innings. In the top of the first inning, Menehune freshman catcher Kaanan hit an RBI single to right field to score the runner from second base. Ephan later scored on a sacrifice fly by junior first baseman Lacin Montemayor.
Later in the inning, designated hitter Tysson Unciano hit an RBI single past first base, and outfielder Kaikoa Perreira-Alquiza hit an RBI double to score Unciano from second.
In the second inning, Waimea scored three more runs. Junior outfielder Noah Bermudez scored on an error, and Montemayor hit a two-RBI single to left field.
Waimea plated three more runs in the top of the fifth. Perreira-Alquiza and second baseman Deiton Otoman both scored on an error in the outfield, and third baseman Nalu Lazaro scored on a wild pitch.
“The team worked hard. I said after the first game that we’d look at our mistakes, go to practice and practice (correcting) our mistakes and come out here and play,” Rita said.
He added: “The team, to me, got a little more relaxed. We was trying to keep them up. Even though we’re ahead, 7-0, you got to keep on going and bunch up runs. I got to give Kauai High School credit. (Kauai head coach Hank Ibia) is a good coach. He switched some pitchers and got our batters off our feet — leaning forward and changing speed. We just got to be able to keep on going our way — how we know how to play baseball.”
Kauai (3-1 KIF) got its first run in the third inning. Red Raiders senior catcher Skyler Sadora hit an RBI single to score outfielder Ethan Gray from second.
The Red Raiders then scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth before play was suspended. Senior outfielder Christian Manera hit an RBI single to center field to score shortstop Tyler Oshima from second.
Senior first baseman Rickey Rego hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score courtesy runner Jake Gushikuma from third, then Manera scored on an error in the outfield.
“They hit at the right time, and we made errors at the wrong time — a combination of both,” Ibia said of the early deficit. “Good for them. It’s good to score early, yeah? So now, we got to catch them. If we made some plays, it would have been OK. It would have been closer, the game right now.”
Ibia added about play being suspended: “It is what it is. If you get lightning, you got to suspend them. … I’m not sure what the rule is, but we got playoff dates that we can play them out.”
As the game stands, Waimea totaled 10 runs on eight hits, left six runners on base and recorded two errors. Kauai had four runs on six hits, left five runners stranded and had six errors.
When play resumes, it will be the bottom of the fifth inning with two outs. Red Raiders designated hitter Keanu Silva will be in the batters box with a 2-2 count, and third baseman Keoua Sibayan will be the runner at first base.
Waimea is scheduled to host Kapaa (1-1 KIF) for a doubleheader Saturday at Hanapepe Stadium. The first game is scheduled for 10 a.m.
Kauai will next play at Kapaa High School at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday.
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
The Kauai electric company just turned if off. It would have to be paid for by Parks and Recreation, county. There is no need to spend that money off the DOE, or the high school administration. Was it raining? They turned it off to prevent more sectors of the community to have a blow out. More expense if that were to happen. Michael Rita? Where is he from, Kapa’a? Unfamiliar name. Who was the coach before him?