Kapaa cools off Radford, 11-1

Kapaa third baseman Jumba Kupihea makes a throw to first against Radford in the first D2 quarterfinal game. Michael Lasquero | SL

Kapaa cashed in on seven Radford errors for a six-inning 11-1 win Thursday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the DataHouse/HHSAA Division II state tournament at McKinley's Tiger Softball Stadium.

The Warriors, the third-seeded team and Kauai Interscholastic Federation champion, moves on to face second-seeded Aiea at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium Friday in a 12 p.m. semifinal game.

It has been quite a turnaround for the Kapaa softball team. The Warriors had to fold during the middle of the regular season a year ago, but are now among the top four teams left standing in D2.

Kapaa jumped on the Rams early in the contest, scoring two and six runs in the first two frames. Radford got on the board in the fourth inning on Selina Tavarez's solo home run, but the Warriors scored three more runs to mercy rule the Rams.

Radford entered the game on a nine-game streak with double-digit hits, but was held to five against the Warriors.

Kailey Rivera earned the pitching win for Kapaa, allowing five hits, one earned run and one walk in 3 1/3 innings of work. Leipua Kaui added three strikeouts and finished the game in the circle for the Warriors in 2 2/3 innings of no-hit ball.

Tyra Alao led the Warriors at the plate, batting 3-for-3 with four RBIs. Kaui also had three hits and scored three times to boost the Kapaa offense.

Radford's Abigail Wilson was charged with the loss. She gave up 11 hits, 11 runs (four earned) and four walks with one strikeout in 5 1/3 innings of work.