WAIMEA — After going through the first round of Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation softball with an undefeated record, the Waimea girls suffered its first loss of the season when Kapa‘a handed the Menehune a 14-9 loss, on Wednesday before a crowd that always fill the area surrounding Waimea Canyon Park on a softball night.
Lady Warriors Hailey Gibson and Makena Kupihea each bombed 2-run homers in the first and second innings, respectively, to lead the Warriors, who piled up 13 hits in the win.
Warrior pitcher Sienna Yamashita kept Waimea blank until the fourth inning when the Menehune picked up its first hit for two runs. Facing a 7-2 deficit heading into the fifth, Waimea cranked two more runs on a hit in the fifth, and five runs on two hits in the sixth inning toward the loss. Overall, the Menehune bats found four hits.
Yanashita, throwing five innings before Jaysie-Jean Riveira took over, was strapped with the nine runs that came on four hits given up while striking out nine Menehune batters and walking another nine.
In the win, Gibson was a perfect 4-for-4 with a home run, a pair of doubles, and a single. Kupihea’s only hit was the two-run shot in the second inning. However, she scores three times in the win and marked three RBIs. Rhea Furtado, marking a triple, drove in two RBIs along with Ishawara Kaui-Reconsal and Riveira.
Menehune Ryleah Torres had the power stick for Waimea with a double and two RBIs. Other hitters included Kaelyn Banquel, Kayla Prigge. who marked an RBI on her single, and Nia Pablo.
Leici-Mae Camara suffered the loss for Waimea, throwing for three frames before turning over the ball to Alia Lazaro, who threw for four innings. Camara got the credit for giving up seven runs on eight hits, while walking two Warrior batters. She had no strikeouts.
With the win, Kapa‘a next travels to Isenberg Park on Saturday to face Kaua‘i High School in a doubleheader that will start at 9 a.m., the change in start time being done to accommodate Kapa‘a High School, which is holding its prom.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
