LIHU‘E — For the second straight year, the Kaua‘i Senior Softball League opened its 2022 season without the traditional opening ceremonies where the entire league comes together to honor those players who passed during the course of the year and remember those great contributors to the league.
Instead, the season-opening games took place Saturday at Isenberg Park and the Kaumakani Field under crowd-limiting, social distancing and other protocol established by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chico Lazaro of Barteks, finishing last year’s season as a strong contender, picked up the 12-2 win on the hill over the Aloha Kia Lihu‘e A’s coached by Dwight Fujii and whose members are replenished by former ‘Ohana Motors Rebels players, including Russell McCluskey.
McCluskey was the saving grace of a play in the first inning when a hard-hit Barteks’ ball ricocheted off pitcher Miles Yoshida’s glove and second baseman McCluskey saving the play by lunging for the ball before it hit the ground.
Lazaro whacked two-RBI single in the second inning to give Barteks an early lead after Barteks finished the frame with three runs crossing the plate.
Facing a 4-2 lead coming out of the fourth inning, Barteks’ sticks ignited to the final 12-2 win.
There are 14 teams making up the league, with all of them seeing action in seven games each Saturday through July 2 at various fields around the island.
Scoreboard
Kaumakani Field
Rookies 19, Kuku’s Aces 4
Bushwackas 22, Kaua‘i Sons 15
Solid Steel 20, West Kaua‘i 19
Isenberg Park
Barteks 12, Aloha Kia Lihu‘e A’s 2
Keonimana Gents 18, Kawaihau 5
East Kaua‘i Legends 20, Da Kruzers 12
Imi‘Ola 22, Hanama‘ulu Hillsiders 0
Saturday’s games
Mayor Bryan J. Baptiste Sports Complex, Kapa‘a
9 a.m. Kuku’s Aces vs. Imi‘Ola
10:15 a.m. Solid Steel vs. Keonimana Gents
11:30 a.m. Aloha Kia Lihue A’s vs. Rookies
12:45 p.m. East Kaua‘i Legends vs. Kawaihau
Hanapepe Stadium fields
9 a.m. Barteks vs. Da Kruzers
10:15 a.m. Bushwackas vs. Hanama‘ulu Hillsiders
11:30 a.m. Kaua‘i Sons vs. West Kaua‘i
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
