LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Red Raiders got back to their winning ways, shaking off last week’s lopsided defeat to the Waimea Menehune in the first-round playoff game to come away with a doubleheader sweep over the Kapa‘a Warriors, Saturday at
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Red Raiders got back to their winning ways, shaking off last week’s lopsided defeat to the Waimea Menehune in the first-round playoff game to come away with a doubleheader sweep over the Kapa‘a Warriors, Saturday at Ron Martin Field in Kapa‘a.
The Raiders notched a 16-6 victory in the opening contest, going six innings before the 10-run rule came into effect and ended the action.
Kaua‘i catcher Lanan Rice-Kashima starred for the Raiders, going 3 for 3 with two singles, a triple and four RBIs.
Rice-Kashima has impressed with his abilities both in the batter’s box and behind the plate for the Raiders.
Glenn Mickens, the official scorekeeper at the KIF baseball games, as well as a former Major League pitcher and long-time professional player, said he thinks Rice-Kashima definitely has a bright future in the game.
“That kid, he’s definitely a Division I prospect,” he said, adding that his skills could take him further into the professional ranks.
Catchers at the highest levels, when attempting to throw out runners at second base, are clocked around 2.1 seconds from glove to glove, Mickens said.
“I’ve got him right at 2.1,” he said about the senior. “I’ve clocked him as high as 1.9.”
Junior Hank Ibia went 2 for 2, scoring four runs and driving in one for Kaua‘i. Freshman Cody Juarez and junior Shea Shimabukuro each added two RBIs.
Taran Tani got the win for the Raiders, his first decision of the season.
Kapa‘a’s Brehdan Kamibayashi took the loss, dropping his record to 1-3.
Kekoa Alfiler was the driving force for the Warriors’ offense in the opening game, finishing 2 for 3 with four RBIs.
Mick Voigt drove in a run and BJ Aiwohi Jr. scored three times.
In the second game, Rice-Kashima went 2 for 4 with two runs and one RBI, putting his Saturday totals at 5 for 7, five RBIs and two runs as Kaua‘i came away with the 12-0 win.
Ibia was productive again, finishing 2 for 3 with a run and a stolen base.
Matthew Ebueng was 2 for 4 with a triple and an RBI, as Shimabukuro scored three times.
Kalen Iwai added a run scored on 1 for 3 hitting.
Dalston Miyasato got the win for the Raiders, going two strong innings as Kaua‘i used four pitchers in the five-inning affair. Jensen Koga, Shimabukuro and Tyrin Texeira each got an inning of work on the mound.
Voigt took the loss for the Warriors.
The Raiders (6-3, including playoff loss) will be at home Wednesday to face the Waimea Menehune (5-2) in a single game starting at 3:30 p.m.
The Warriors (1-7) are off until Saturday, heading to Hanapepe Stadium to take on Waimea in a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.
