Ariel Mizumoto’s walk-off single wrapped up a Waimea High School comeback, scoring two runs, as Waimea edged Kapa‘a, 7-5, a Waimea Canyon Park Wednesday night.
The Menehune came up with three runs on two hits and two Kapa‘a errors in the bottom of the seventh to wrap up the victory.
The game was tied 2-2 after five innings, before the fireworks started for both squads.
Waimea broke the tie in the sixth inning with an Ona Defabian double to left field, followed by a single to center by Tauina Tafiti, scoring Defabian. Tafiti scored on a sacrifice by Jazzelyn Bradbury with one away.
The Warriors pushed three runs across on four hits in the top of the seventh to answer as Leihua McCabe, opening the frame with a single, scored on an RBI single to right-center from Kori Kimura to break the tie with no outs.
Ta’ashi Napoleon, finishing 3-3 to lead the Kapa‘a bats, came up with two RBIs on her shot to left field for a one-run lead that was answered by the Menehune by Ariel Mizumoto’s walk-off, two-out single in the bottom of the seventh, capping a three-run rally of their own.
In the Waimea seventh, MarieBeth Watanabe led off with her third single of the day, stealing second before being sacrificed to third by Krysta Kali, who was safe on an error. Kawehi Ephan, still holding the catcher’s slot for the Menehune, reached on an error as well, allowing Watanabe to score on another Warrior error, tying the game at 5-5.
Defabian walked, took second on a fielder’s choice, then Tafiti flew out to the second baseman, Kali gunned down at the plate to set the stage for Mizumoto’s game-winning single to left, scoring Ephan and Defabian with the winning runs.
Watanabe led the Menehune offense with her 3-3 showing, scoring twice, notching an RBI, and getting three stolen bases.
Kali was 1-4 with an RBI, Tafiti ended 1-3 with an RBI. Erin Connelly, entering in the fifth, had a single and run scored.
Napoleon had the hot bat for Kapa‘a with a 3-3 showing and two RBIs. Kimura was 1-3 with an RBI and run scored, and Shayln Tupou was 1-3 with an RBI. Melina Obar, the Warrior pitcher, Leeanna Baltazar, Larae Ho‘opi‘i and Leihua McCabe all finished with a single each as Kapa‘a notched nine hits to Waimea’s eight. Obar, Baltazar, McCabe and Leilani C. all scored runs for the Warriors.
The Menehune travel to Isenberg Park in a critical doubleheader against Kaua‘i, Saturday. The first pitch goes off at 10 a.m.
Kaua‘i High, undefeated first-round champions, are 3-0 in the second round, 9-0 overall, while Waimea is 3-1 in the second round and 6-4 overall. Kapa‘a is 0-5 in round two and 0-11 overall.
The Raiders can clinch the overall KIF title with a sweep against Waimea Saturday. Waimea can force a one-game playoff for the KIF title with a sweep of their own. A split Saturday would make the final game of the season, Kaua‘i at Kapa‘a on Wednesday, April 29, pivotal in determining the second-round champ and also deciding if a one-game playoff for the KIF championship will be required.
The Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association state tournament is May 13 to 16, at the Patsy T. Mink Central O‘ahu Regional Park at Waipi‘o.
Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com
