HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL
Kailua rallies on Waipahu's errors
Division I State Softball
A pitcher hates to be pulled out of a game, especially in the early going.
But it was Kailua head coach Bernard Victor's decision to pull his starter, Ashley-Ann Hopfe, after she allowed three runs in just a third of an inning.
Kailua eventually came back to claim a 4-3 victory last night over Waipahu in the opening round of the Datahouse/HHSAA Division I State Championships last night at University of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
Datahouse/HHSAA Divsion I State Softball Championships
Seeds: 1. Mililani; 2. St. Francis; 3. Baldwin; 4. Waiakea
At Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium
FIRST ROUND
Yesterday
Kapolei 9, Lahainaluna 5
Campbell 14, Hilo 0
Kailua 4, Waipahu 3
Iolani 10, Moanalua 4
QUARTERFINALS
Today
Waiakea vs. Iolani, 2 p.m.
Baldwin vs. Campbell, 4 p.m.
St. Francis vs. Kailua, 6 p.m.
Mililani vs. Kapolei, 8 p.m.
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"It all depended on what team came out today, and our team decided to play ball," a relieved Victor said. "It's kind of hard taking out any pitcher, but I knew I had to make the change. She was kind of hurt, but I told her, 'This is not your day -- save it for another day,' and hopefully she'll have a better game next time."
Waipahu came out swinging in the bottom half of the first when Sina Nuu took advantage of a slight breeze blowing out to the right-field fence 200 feet away, and cranked a home run to give the Marauders an early 1-0 lead. After a Michelle Samson groundout, Elsa Apo doubled and later scored when Lei-Sha Quiday-Kapihe singled and took third when Kailua center fielder Januari Santiago threw home and the ball squirted through catcher Brittany Tokunaga's legs.
The ensuing batter, Andrea Felise-Laa, singled off Hopfe's leg, scoring Quiday-Kapihe and extending the lead to 3-0. Hopfe was replaced by Krista Dumandan, who had been playing in right field, after recording just one out.
"It was kind of hard (entering the game early) because my arm wasn't totally warm because I was expecting to play right field," Dumandan said. "But after a while, my arm felt OK, and I just tried really hard."
Kailua rode the solid performance by the junior hurler, and answered in the top of the third after Dumandan reached on an error, and Hopfe hit a dribbler in front of the plate before catcher Quiday-Kapihe launched the ball into right field, scoring both runners and narrowing the gap to 3-2.
The Surfriders (12-4) vaulted into the lead in the fourth inning when designated hitter Kayla Konohia doubled to lead off the frame and moved over to third on a sacrifice bunt from Tiffany Pereza. Hopfe proceeded to drive in Konohia with an infield single, and eventually scored when Tokunaga singled and center fielder Mahea Spencer misplayed the ball, allowing it to roll to the fence.
In total, Waipahu committed seven errors, most of which proved costly.
"Anything to win," Victor said with a chuckle. "If they're going to make errors, then that's going to help us out. Without those errors, we probably wouldn't have gotten to (the next round)."
The Surfriders take on second-seeded St. Francis, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu champion, tonight.
Campbell 14, Hilo 0
The Sabers (14-2) blanked the Vikings (9-4) behind a stellar effort from starting pitcher Breanne Patton, who allowed just one hit and struck out four in five innings of a mercy-rule-shortened contest.
Shortstop Leinna Kalua collected a home run, triple, double and three RBIs for Campbell, which plays No. 3 seed Baldwin.
Kapolei 9, Lahainaluna 5
Kailihiwa Smith went 4-for-4 with an RBI to help power the Hurricanes (12-5) over the Lunas (12-3).
The Hurricanes move on to play top-seeded Mililani tonight.
Iolani 10, Moanalua 4
The Raiders (12-4) controlled the game from the start, plating four runs in each of the first two innings. Jana Tokuhama led the offense, going 2-for-3 with 4 RBIs and a home run. Sarah Robinson took the loss for Na Menehune (12-4).
The Raiders advance to play No. 4 seed Waiakea today.