HANAPEPE — Kauai High School’s varsity baseball team defeated Waimea, 1-0, Wednesday afternoon at Hanapepe Stadium.
Kauai (8-2 KIF, 3-0 2nd round, 1-0 playoff) got the game’s only run in the top of the first inning.
Leadoff hitter, Red Raiders outfielder Hoku Parbo, reached first base on a four-pitch walk. Later on with Parbo at third base, shortstop Jacob Borrero hit a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Parbo for the RBI.
Waimea (1-8 KIF, 0-4 2nd round) had two runners on in the bottom of the ninth for a chance to walk off.
With one out, Menehune shortstop Nalu Lazaro and designated hitter Noah Bermudez hit back-to-back singles.
Later on with runners on second and third, Menehune first baseman Kash Akita attempted a squeeze bunt to bring in pinch runner Noah Aquino — running for Lazaro — from third.
On the play, the ball grounded to Red Raiders pitcher Christian Manera. Manera tossed the ball to catcher Skyler Sadora to get Aquino out at home plate.
In the ensuing at bat, Menehune second baseman Deiton Otoman grounded to Manera. The ball bounced off Manera and then to Red Raiders third baseman Keoua Sibayan.
Sibayan made the putout to first base for the final out to clinch the 1-0 result.
Waimea had a chance at a tying run in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs and a runner at third, Menehune third baseman Keaka Wisneski flied out to center field to end the inning.
In the top of the fourth, Red Raiders first baseman Ricky Rego hit a leadoff single to center field. Consecutive sacrifice bunts advanced Rego to third.
With two outs and Rego at third, Manera flied out to center field.
Kauai got one run on three hits, left six runners on base and recorded two errors.
Manera was the winning pitcher for Kauai. Throwing a complete game, Manera tallied four strikeouts and two walks.
Waimea got zero runs on four hits, left five runners on and recorded one error.
Menehune starting pitcher Kristian Cardejon took the hard-luck loss for Waimea. Going 4 1/3 innings, he gave up one run on two hits and had one strikeout and three walks — two in the first inning.
Waimea will play at Kapaa High School (5-3 KIF, 1-0 2nd round) for a doubleheader on Saturday. The first game is scheduled for 10 a.m.
Kauai will next play at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday against Kapaa at Vidinha Stadium.
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Nick Celario can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
