KAPAA — After going into extra innings, the Red Raiders and Warriors left the field without determining a winner.
Kapaa and Kauai high schools’ varsity baseball teams played to a 4-4 tie after 10 innings Wednesday at the Ron Martin Field in Kapaa. The game was called by umpires because of darkness.
Both Kapaa head coach Bryan Aiwohi and Kauai head coach Hank Ibia said they’ve never seen a baseball game end in a tie before.
“The umpires are the guys running the game. I guess we got to abide by what they say,” Aiwohi said. “I don’t know what the actual rule is. I haven’t seen it. I don’t know if it’s a national federation rule, a local KIF rule or an HHSAA (Hawaii High School Athletic Association) rule, I don’t know.”
Facing a 4-2 deficit in the top of the seventh inning, Kauai (0-1-1 KIF) scored two runs to level the score. Red Raiders infielder Nainoa Kane-Yates, who pitched in relief, hit a sacrifice fly to left field to drive in the runner from third base.
Later on, Red Raiders infielder Wailele Kane-Yates hit into a fielder choice, and infielder Tyler Oshima crossed home plate from third base to score the game-tying run.
“That was good. That was just character on their part, learning how to come back,” Ibia said. “It was pretty good for us. We learned something about us as a team, knowing that they’ll never give up.”
Ibia said of the game ending in a tie: “I didn’t realize we could have gotten into a tie. I thought that, what happened is we go until someone wins, right? Or, they continue the game tomorrow. Last year, a game was tied when we left, and they wanted us to continue playing the next day. I didn’t really get to talk to them about it, but I’m not sure what happened. I’m confused myself.”
In the eighth and the 10th innings, Red Raiders outfielder Avery Casticimo had a chance at a go-ahead run. Both times, he rounded third going for home and was tagged at home plate after throws coming from the outfield.
“Sometimes, that thing never happens in that situation, especially two times in a row. For his case, we were on their home field. You got to try to chance it, beat them at their park and be more aggressive than them,” Ibia said. “At that point, they made two great plays.”
In the bottom of the 10th inning with two outs and a runner at second base, Warriors infielder Aj Lee grounded to shortstop for the third out. The game was short called off afterward because of darkness.
“We just couldn’t string the hits. When we had guys in scoring position, we couldn’t come through with the hits,” Aiwohi said. “Our goal always is to get a guy on, put him in scoring position, and hopefully get a hit and score him. It didn’t work out that way every time. A couple of times, it did. That’s just part of the game.”
Kapaa (0-0-1 KIF) scored three runs to take a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the third inning. Warriors outfielder Levi Cummings hit an RBI single to drive in a the game-tying run from third.
The Warriors took a 2-1 lead on a sacrifice fly to left field by catcher Ka‘eo Kamau to drive in the runner from third. Later on, Lee drew a walk with the bases loaded to plate the team’s third run.
Kapaa scored one more in the fourth inning when starting pitcher Noa Cardinez drew a walk with the bases loaded.
“Instincts showed in the right places. We got hits, we took advantage of some mistakes, we got aggressive a little bit, and it paid off,” Aiwohi said. “We still left a lot of guys on, though, in that inning. I didn’t like that.”
Kauai took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI single to right field by Wailele Kane-Yates. In the top of the fifth inning, Wailele Kane-Yates hit an RBI single to left field for the team’s second run.
Kapaa got four runs on six hits, left eight runners on base and recorded five errors.
Cardinez went seven full innings for Kapaa, allowing four runs on five hits and threw eight strikeouts and four walks. Warriors infielder Ka‘imi Malina, who later threw in relief, was 2-4 batting with a couple of singles and scored one run.
Kauai got four runs on eight hits, left 12 runners on base and recorded one error.
Red Raiders starting pitcher Jacob Borrero went 2 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on four hits and threw three walks. Wailele Kane-Yates was 2-3 batting with two RBI singles.
In the sixth inning, Ibia was ejected for arguing balls and strikes with the home plate umpire. Ibia will sit out the Red Raiders’ next game.
“I’m supporting my kids. The whole thing was me supporting my boys,” Ibia said. “Wherever the thing goes from now, I’m not sure. But I have a one-game suspension. I’m going to take it. I already talked with my boys, so I’m going to leave it at that.”
Kapaa will play against Waimea (1-0 KIF) for a doubleheader Saturday at Hanapepe Stadium. The first game is scheduled for 10:30 a.m.
Kauai will next play against Waimea at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Hanapepe Stadium.
Box score
Kapaa: 4 runs, 5 hits, 8 LOB, 5 errors; starting pitcher: Noa Cardinez, 4 runs, 5 hits, 8 strikeouts, 4 walks; stat leaders: Ka‘imi Malina, 2-4, 1 run, 1 intentional walk; Ka‘eo Kamau, 2-5, 1 RBI (sacrifice fly), 1 stolen base
Kauai: 4 runs, 8 hits, 12 LOB, 1 error; starting pitcher: Jacob Borrero, 2 2/3 innings, 3 runs, 4 hits, 3 walks; stat leaders: Wailele Kane-Yates, 2-3, 2 RBIs; Tyler Oshima, 1-3, 3 runs, 1 walk,
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
