KAPA‘A — Two errors crossed two Hanapepe runs to put the game out of reach, 4-1, for Kapa‘a in the first of the Protect Our Nation’s Youth baseball playoffs, Wednesday at the New Kapa‘a Town Park. With two outs in
KAPA‘A — Two errors crossed two Hanapepe runs to put the game out of reach, 4-1, for Kapa‘a in the first of the Protect Our Nation’s Youth baseball playoffs, Wednesday at the New Kapa‘a Town Park.
With two outs in the seventh inning and two runners aboard, Hanapepe Cubs’ pitcher Tevin Rita got life on an error that moved Kamalei Campoc-Dela Cruz, singling to right field, across the plate.
Another error trying to stop Rita from advancing
to second base scored Cubs’ first baseman Pono Rull who was hit by a pitch to get on.
But Kapa‘a, getting a good performance from its pitcher Pungan, battled back against the rising odds. Entering the seventh, the Cubs held a 2-1 lead before the pair of errors pushed the margin up 4-1.
With two straight outs, Kapa‘a was able to stay alive against a tiring Rita who gave up two straight walks followed by No.
2 batter Bronson Aiwohi singling to centerfield representing the game-
tying run to load the
bases.
But the next batter popped an infield fly to Rull to end the threat.
Kapa‘a opened the scorebooks in the first inning when its leadoff hitter, Turtle Kuhaulua advanced to second on a Cubs miscue following a single. He scored on a Yamane RBI single to rightfield with two outs for the 1-0 lead that was answered in the top of the second.
Hanapepe capitalized on Pungan in the third when it generated a run on two hits.
Pungan, in suffering the loss, threw a fairly good game, allowing no earned runs while scattering five hits through seven innings. He struck out six Cubs batters while walking three and hit one batter.
Rita finished with one run allowed while giving up six hits while striking out four and walking three.
Kapa‘a finished the regular season 5-4-1 to Hanapepe’s 4-6 record entering the playoffs that started Wednesday at the New Kapa‘a Town Park.
This afternoon (Thursday), Kekaha, finishing the regular season 5-3-2, will be hosting Koloa (4-6) in a single game at the Kekaha field starting at 4:15 p.m.
The next series of games in the playoff will take place Sunday when Lihu‘e, the season leader at 7-3, will host Hanapepe at Vidinha Stadium starting at 10 a.m.
Kalawai, finishing the season second at 6-3-1, will open a double-header at the Kalawai Park against the winner of the Kekaha/Koloa match starting at 10 a.m.
Should No. 6 Koloa upset No. 3 Kekaha, Thursday, Koloa will play Lihu‘e, Sunday, and Hanapepe will face Kalawai based on the lower seeded team facing the higher seed format of the playoffs.
The final Sunday match will feature Kapa‘a taking on the loser of the Kekaha/Koloa match following the 10 a.m. contest.
Dondi Viquelia, the Kaua‘i PONY commissioner, said if Lihu‘e, the regular season champion, does not win the double elimination playoff series, there will be a championship game featuring Lihu‘e against the winner of the playoff series.
If Lihu‘e wins the playoffs, there will be no championship game.
