Kauai edges Molokai in eight innings, 4-3

Kauai relief pitcher Christian Manera throws a pitch to plate against Molokai. Manera picked up the win on the mound and also scored the game-winning run. Michael Lasquero | SL

WAIPAHU — Small ball was winning ball for the Kauai Red Raiders in their opening round win over Molokai Thursday afternoon.

Christian Manera scored the game-winning run on a squeeze play as unseeded Kauai slip past fourth-seeded Molokai in eight innings, 4-3, in the first round of the Wally Yonamine Foundation/HHSAA Division II state tournament at Hans L'Orange Park.

Manera, a 5-foot-10 junior, also pitched the finally seven outs to record the win and help the Red Raiders advance to Friday's semifinals to face defending champion KS-Hawaii. First pitch is slated for 10 a.m.

Blake Probasco laid down the one-out bunt in the top of the eighth to plate Manera for the go-ahead score. It was one of five successful bunts that the Red Raiders executed on the day.

Maui Interscholastic League Division II champion Molokai, gave up an unearned run to start the contest, but started the bottom of the first with consecutive hits. The Farmers then chased Kauai starter Taylor Apilado after sac flys from Kairos Torres-Umi and Nainoa Kaahanui gave Molokai a 2-1 lead.

The Red Raiders tied the game at 2 after the third inning and later regained the lead on Sam Nakata's RBI to score Hoku Parbo in the fourth.

Jacob Borrero, who relieved Apilado after the first two outs, pitched five scoreless innings before giving up a solo home run to designated hitter Aaron Rapanot to tie the game at 3 in the sixth inning. Manera took over the mound after the play and pitched the rest of the way for the Red Raiders.

Molokai, who won the MIL D2 championship over Seabury Hall in 11 innings, had a chance to win the game in walk-off fashion, but it wasn't in the cards. A double play with the tying and go-ahead run on base gave Kauai the first two outs of the bottom of the eight and Manera recorded the final out on a foul out to punch the Red Raiders' ticket into the semifinals.

Nakata led the Red Raiders at the plate with two hits, two runs scored and an RBI.

Shraedon Naeole-Starkey was tagged for the loss for the Farmers. He relieved starter Torres-Umi after the fourth inning.

Reach Michael Lasquero at [email protected].