WAIMEA — Just a year ago, Shana Tafiti was an up and coming freshman softball player for Kaua’i High School, but now instead of sporting red and white, the sophomore is now haunting her old team from the westside, as
WAIMEA — Just a year ago, Shana Tafiti was an up and coming freshman softball player for Kaua’i High School, but now instead of sporting red and white, the sophomore is now haunting her old team from the westside, as a Waimea Menehune.
Tafiti helped Waimea to a 9-1 win last night, in front of a huge crowd at Waimea Canyon Park. The slick-fielding shortstop was tough on the defensive side, while slamming a solo homerun over the centerfield fence and scoring a run.
As one of the captains for the Menehune, Tafiti was also the vocal leader during tough situations.
Kaua’i ace Wailana Borrero was battered around from the start, as Waimea jumped on Kaua’i for nine unanswered runs, after the Red Raiders took the 1-0 lead in the first inning.
Waimea hurler Cassie Koerte, who was all smiles throughout the contest, came away with the complete game win.
Kaua’i also shot themselves in the foot, by leaving seven runners on the bases.
Chasen Sherman scored the first run for the Menehune in the first inning off a Kaua’i error, which tied the game up at 1-1. Koerte’s sacrifice fly RBI scored Moani Durant and Tafiti also crossed the plate for the 3-1 lead in the third.
Durant and Sherman continued to bring the heat in the fourth inning, with Sherman nailing a 2-run RBI double, scoring Kelly Joyce, who was pinch running for Koerte.
Durant then slammed a 2-run homer over the left centerfield fence for the 7-1 advantage.
Kelsie Igne scored on a Kaua’i error in the fifth and Tafiti’s long solo bomb in the sixth, handed the Menehune the 9-1 win.
Waimea improves to 2-0 and Kaua’i drops to 2-1. Kapa’a (0-3) travels to Waimea to face the Menehune on Saturday in doubleheader action, starting at 2 p.m.
