KAPA‘A — Kapa‘a’s LeeAnna Baltazar, finishing the day with three hits, scored a run in the ninth inning to give the Warrior ladies their first Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation victory, Saturday.
After dropping the first game, 11-8, Baltazar, getting first on her third single in the overtime of Game 2, broke the 8-8 deadlock for the winning run, splitting its double-header to open Round 2 of KIF softball before the home crowd at the New Kapa‘a Town Park.
Led by Baltazar’s three singles, the Lady Warriors got a pair of singles from Marley Bukoski and La‘rae Hoopii. Kori Kimura blasted a double and a single with Tyler “Ka‘anoi” Marshall and Ta’ashi Napoleon rounding out the batter’s box with singles.
The Lady Warriors jumped out to an early lead, scoring three runs in the first frame and adding a run in the second and third before Kaua‘i went to the mound on a pitching change.
Kapa‘a’s defense also held the Red Raiders scoreless until the fourth inning, nursing its 5-0 lead before Kaua‘i struck with three runs coming on three hits with no outs, including a single from Tia Obrero, a double from Kawai Klattenhoff, and a triple from Melia Aki.
Kaua‘i had an opportunity to score in the ninth when Obrero walked with no outs, and Naja Pungan got aboard on a fielder’s choice with two away before the final Raider batter flied out, leaving one stranded.
Aki led the Raider bats with a triple and a single and Moana Waipa added a triple as Kaua‘i piled up 11 hits in its loss. Klattenhoff finished with a double and a single, Adriana Medeiros and Ka‘a Laamea each finished with two singles to round out the Kaua‘i hitting.
Kapa‘a jumped into the lead with four runs in the first inning in the opener, holding Kaua‘i at bay until the third inning when the Lady Raiders answered with four runs for a 6-5 deficit.
Pungan, walking first, knotted the game by scoring in the fourth inning with two outs and a four-run seventh inning graced the win for Kaua‘i.
Kapa‘a pushed two runs across in the fifth inning to regain the lead before Kaua‘i sealed the deal in the seventh, icing the win by taking out the batters in order, including one strike-out.
Kaua‘i capitalized on the Warrior pitcher in its win, pushing runs in on just three hits, but Kapa‘a striking out two, committing three miscues and giving up 15 walks. Waipa, Obrero and Randee Layosa collected singles.
Kapa‘a finished with seven hits in the loss, one a two-run homerun by Marshall in the fifth inning.
Napoleon, Bukoski collected two singles and Hilary Leasiolagi singled and Leilani Caspillo notched a bunt single in the fifth.
