Kapa‘a Warriors come back to win 3-1

HANAPEPE — The Kapa‘a High School Warriors faced a tough task as it entered the top of the sixth inning trailing 1-0 to the Kaua‘i High School Red Raiders Saturday at Hanapepe Stadium.

The Warriors went on to answer the call and score two runs on three hits and take a 2-1 lead. It was a Rashan Kuhaulua double that set the table for a Justin Nagahisa single that tied the game. Keola Lutz followed that with a double down the left field line leaving runners on second and third.

Grant Mitchell came up to the plate and hit a routine ground ball to first, which Nick Vallatini fielded and threw away trying to cut down Nagahisa at the plate. The error gave Kapa‘a the lead as it turned the ball over to Kuhaulua on the mound.

Kuhaulua would come in to shut door on any thoughts of a Red Raider comeback going 1 2/3 innings with three strikeouts in the 3-1 win. Kuhaulua came in to relieve Nick Tabura, who once again threw well for the Warriors giving up only one run in the first inning and locking down Kaua‘i’s offense after.

On the flip side, Tyler Manibog threw exceptionally well for the duration he was in the game. Manibog finished with 5 1/3 innings only allowing one run and striking out 2.

Cal Koga came in relief of Manibog. Although he wasn’t particularly sharp, it was the defensive decision making that hurt Kaua‘i lost the Raiders the lead.

For Kapa‘a, Lutz finished 2 for 3 with a double, and A.J. Cummings was 1 for 3 with a triple and an RBI.

With the win the Warriors improve to 2-2 on the season, while Kaua‘i drops to 0-5.

The game was moved to Hanapepe Stadium due to poor field conditions at Vidinha Stadium. The start time was pushed back to 12:45 p.m. Due to the change, the results of game two were not available by press time.

Look for the full game story and coach’s comments in Monday’s edition of The Garden Island.