HANAMA‘ULU — The Kaua‘i Senior Softball League battled through gusty winds and passing showers to complete a lopsided weekend slate of games on the east side.
Pitching became an art in the howling wind, and tracking fly balls became an adventure.
The Peter Rayno Softball Stadium hosted four big games that ended in decisive wins, and there were three games scheduled at the Bryan J. Baptist Sports Complex with runaway victories. Only one of the seven contests fell short of the 12 run knock-out rule.
Barteks shuts out Kuku’s Aces
The Peter Rayno Softball Stadium opened with Kuku’s Aces against the Barteks. Coach Shapa Ramos has Barteks coming in with a stingy defense and threatening line up. The Aces are much improved, but still looking for some daylight. Kuku could not get the Aces around the bases as Barteks threw a defensive blanket on them in five innings. Everything Barteks did offensively worked for them as they maxed out their runs inning after inning. The Hanapepe club remains one game off the league pace after a convincing 23-0 shut-out victory.
Islanders smother
West Kaua‘i
Joe Betucci’s Islanders were home to West Kaua‘i in the second game of the day. After a few rough weeks the Islanders put their game together and delivered a few rallies to build up a lead. The Islander gloves smothered West Kaua‘i’s hits and surrendered just one run. The Islanders picked up a big 14-1 win.
Gents keep win
streak intact
The Keonimana Gents took on Da Kruzers in the later morning game, looking to keep their win streak intact. Very few clubs can keep up with the firepower of the Gents, and Da Kruzers threw their best effort at them. As good as the offense is, the Keonimana defense was more effective, giving up a league-low 18 runs in the first six games. Da Kruzers fared better than average, posting four terms before the game was called. Keonimana continued to roll through the league behind a solid 17-4 shellacking.
Rookies pound Kawaihau
The ballpark was packed for the featured finale with Kawaihau taking on the undefeated Rookies.
Alan Horikawa has the Rookies sailing through the first half of the year’s games and has his team focused at both ends of the game. Henry Hee and Kawaihau are hanging on in a tough stretch of games in their schedule.
Try as they might, Kawaihau could not put together enough run-scoring rallies to keep pace with the long ball hitting Rookies. The Rookies keep their record unblemished, putting downing Kawaihau 17-5.
‘Ohana Motors Rebels 19, Hillsiders 6
Rains-wept blustery skies kept the first game at the Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex early in the morning. The gale-force wind blowing from right to left caused havoc throughout the morning and affected the play in each game.
The ‘Ohana Motors Rebels went up against the Hanama‘ulu Hillsiders in the sunrise contest. The conditions were apparent with a wind-aided fly ball resulting in scoring opportunities. The Rebels made short work of the game but not before surrendering six runs to the Hillsiders over three big rallies. ‘Ohana Motors hammered out two dozen hits and ended the game early on a 19-6 win.
‘Ohana triumphs
over Solid Steel
‘Ohana and Solid Steel took the field next in a much-anticipated game between two hard-hitting teams tied with 3-3 record after the first round. The sell-out crowd did not get their game their expected as ‘Ohana clamped down on the Steel and didn’t let up. Through the gusty winds, ‘Ohana out hit and outran Solid Steel to take the lead.
‘Ohana pitching and slick infield kept the Steel off balance and off the bases to secure the lead. Solid Steel put up a good fight but couldn’t score. ‘Ohana outplayed Solid Steel on their way to an 15-3 triumph.
Aloha Kia
dominates Legends
The morning wrapped up with the Aloha Kia Lihu‘e A’s challenging the East Kaua‘i Legends. Norman Holt’s Legends didn’t waste time starting the game with a scoring rally. The A’s were not going to back down and returned the hitting attack to take the lead. Aloha Kia pulled ahead by 12 and won the game 15-3.
