Moanalua romps in opener

The strategy for the Moanalua softball team going into yesterday's opening contest at the Data House Division I Softball State Tournament was simple.

Take care of business.

With ace Sarah Robinson dominating in the pitcher's circle and at the plate, the Menehunes did just that at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium, taking down Waiakea, 11-0 in a game shortened to five innings due to the tournament's mercy rule.

Taking advantage of an effective screwball and a disappearing rise, Robinson was able to keep Waiakea at bay, limiting the visitors from the Big Island to three hits while striking out eight. The 5-foot-9 sophomore struck out the side in the first and fifth innings, and punched out two more hitters in the third inning while avoiding any walks.

"Today I was feeling really pumped up," Robinson said. "I tried to keep them off-balance and go for the strikeouts when I could, and keep the game short."

The Menehunes sent nine batters to the plate in the bottom of the first and used three hits and a pair of walks to fuel an early three-run rally. Traci Yoshikawa, Glennis Kanae-Rodrigues and Robinson reached safely to start the frame and load the bases with none out.

After Warrior starter Dayna Wong retired Britni Ronolo on an infield pop-up, Shelby Nakachi rolled a single up the middle past the drawn-in infield to plate the first two runs of the game. A Dawn Dela Cruz RBI-single to center completed the rally.

"It was a little easier today because I didn't have any pressure since we were scoring runs," Robinson said. "I just wanted to work quick and not stay out there too long."

Robinson made fast work of the Warriors in the early going, retiring Waiakea in order with four strikeouts over the first three innings.

Waiakea looked to start something in the fourth inning after second baseman Laine Shikuma singled to lead off. But Robinson got Kasey Hirayama to pop-out to Nakachi near home plate, and then got a fine 4-6-3 double play to end the threat.

"Sarah's older sister (University of Hawaii pitcher Kate Robinson) has been helping her out," said Moanalua assistant coach and proud father, Pete Robinson. "She's told Sarah to think of the ball hitting the bat, instead of the bat hitting the ball, to kind of get a feel that you can control the contact, and then let the defense do the work."

Moanalua rallied for four more runs in the fourth and added another four runs in the fifth to close-out the Warriors, with the biggest blow coming off the bat of Robinson, who chimed a three-run homer off of a metal support post beyond the left field wall at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium to provide the knockout.

With the win, Moanalua sets up a rubber match with OIA champion Kailua tomorrow at 4 p.m.

"We played really good today," Moanalua head coach Mitch Matsumoto said. "We hit well, we fielded well, and our pitching was good. Tomorrow we'll be playing Kailua and I think we'll be ready. We beat them in the first meeting this year, and they came back from behind to beat us the second time around, so I think it'll be a good game."

Waiakea (12-6)	000	00	--	0	3	2
Moanalua (7-4)	300	44	--	11	11	0

Dayna Wong, Lea Napeahi (5) and Harley Parks, Kristy Imai (5). Sarah Robinson and Shelby Nakachi. W--Robinson. L--Wong.

Leading hitters--Moan: Traci Yoshikawa 3-4, 3 runs, RBI; Robinson 2-3, HR, 4 RBIs; Jamie Ronolo 1-2, 3b; Britni Ronolo 1-2, 2b, run, RBI.

Pearl City 6, Campbell 4

Marina Gusman-Brown homered and drove in two runs and Corrie Nishikida pitched four innings of scoreless relief to pick up the win as the Chargers edged the Sabers.

Anita Manuma scored two runs for the Sabers, who led 4-2 after five innings. However the Chargers scored two runs in both the sixth and seventh innings to come from behind for the win.

Gusman-Brown also scored twice and had three stolen bases. Manuma and Loreen Egdamin each finished 2-for-3 for the Sabers.

Pearl City (13-3)	011	002	2	--	6	6	1
Campbell (8-9)	210	100	0	--	4	7	1

Marina Gusman-Brown, Corrie Nishikida (4) and Noelle Hirahara. Leinna Kalua, Anita Manuma (6) and Chanel Bali-Geui. W--Nishikida. L--Manuma.

Leading hitters--PC: Gusman-Brown 2-3, HR, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Shanna Vierra 1-3, 2b, 2 runs. Camp: Manuma 2-3, 2 runs; Loreen Egdamin 2-3.

Kapolei 7, Leilehua 0

No details were reported.

Mililani 3, St. Francis 0

Kimberly Goo drove in a pair of runs on a single in the fifth inning to help the Trojans beat the Troubadours.

Mililani pitcher Makani Duhaylonsod went the entire way, striking out three and walking just one while allowing the Troubadours only five hits.

Mililani plays Baldwin today, while St. Francis drops down to the consolation bracket to play Waiakea.

Mililani (13-3)	000	021	0	--	3	9	0
St. Francis (12-3)	000	000	0	--	0	5	2

Makani Duhaylonsod and Skye Virtdes; Brittney Akana and Ashley Smith. W-- Duhaylonsod. L-- Akana.

Leading hitters -- Mil: Casey Suehara 2-4, 2B; Kimberly Goo 2-4, 2 RBIs, Virtdes 2-3, Aiwohi 2-3, RBI, 2B. StF: Smith 2-3.