WAIMEA — The Waimea High Menehune conked three home runs en route to a 17-7 win over Kaua‘i High School softball in a Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation softball game at Waimea Athletic Field on Wednesday, April 19.
Playing before a Senior Night audience that ringed all sides of the park, the Waimea girls provided the fireworks, including a grand slam in the third inning when Ryleah Torres, conking a two-run homer earlier in the second inning, cleared the bases.
Alia Lazaro, whacking a single in the third inning, smacked a two-run homer to right-center in the fourth inning of the game that Waimea won on the 10-run rule, their 17 runs coming on 10 hits.
Menehune pitcher Taelor Camelo returned to the mound for the win, where she allowed seven Kaua‘i runs, four being earned, giving up four hits, striking out one Red Raiders batter and walking three.
Jei Li Rosare-Yadao had the hot bat for Kaua‘i High, scoring once on a Mia Marty sac fly in the first, and whacking a two-run double in the third inning. Kyla Pereira scored twice and marked a pair of singles. Cheyley Jacobs, scoring three times, rounded out the Red Raider hitting with a single in the third frame.
With the win, Waimea, the first round title holder with an undefeated record, moves to the Kapa‘a High field for a doubleheader against the Lady Warriors on Saturday, April 22.
“This is championship Saturday,” said Michael Koerte, the KIF softball scorekeeper. “Waimea, closing out the KIF round two with one loss, must win for the KIF crown and eligibility for the state tournament.”
A split with the Lady Warriors, or dual losses by Waimea, would force a playoff, with the playoff date and site being determined following the games.
The Data House Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association Division II State Softball Championships will be played on O‘ahu on May 2 through May 5.
According to an April 13 advisory from the HHSAA on its SportsHigh.com website, the second-place team from the Maui Interscholastic League will play the second-place team from the KIF on April 26 for a berth in the Division II state championships.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
