Mililani returns to title game

A successful shot at redemption propelled Mililani into its second straight Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Division championship game.

After Kailua broke a scoreless drought with a run in the sixth inning, the defending OIA champs responded with a two-run double from sophomore shortstop Courtney Senas. Combined with a three-hitter from Makani Duhaylonsod, it was enough to crush the Surfriders' upset dreams, 3-1, yesterday in the semifinals at Central Oahu Regional Park.

The top-ranked Trojans (13-1) face Campbell today at 7 p.m. in the title game.

Senas faced a similar situation with two runners on in a tight quarterfinal game on Thursday, and grounded out. She didn't want to let her team down again when catcher Rebecca Lee and second baseman Kristi Oshiro scratched out hits against the stingy defense of the Surfriders (9-5) in the bottom of the sixth.

"I felt sorry, because what if that was the only time we could have scored and stuff?" Senas said of the 6-1 quarterfinal win over Waipahu. "I had to do my job (today), man. We just always have to stay positive. Never give up and keep fighting. And pray. I did a lot of that this year."

The Trojan dugout went ballistic when Senas smacked the ball against the center-field fence.

Until Kailua's Dianne Ehulani Naki scored on a single by Kawehilani Hall in the top half of the frame, the game was a fielding exhibition by both teams. The highlight of the night came from Kailua center fielder Tiffany Pereza, who sprinted for a sharply socked shot by Senas in the fourth and fully extended to collect the ball inches off the ground.

Plays like that had Mililani coach Rose Antonio shaking her head in amazement. There were no strikeouts or walks for either team, leaving the onus on the rest of the teams' defenses to hold the line.

"Spectacular," Antonio said. "Hits, and the defensive catches, I mean, it was amazing out there. We were hitting the ball hard, and they were making the plays. Great team out there tonight."

When his team went up 1-0 on the champs, Kailua coach Bernard Victor felt pretty good. To that point, Surfrider pitcher Jaelleen Johnson had scattered four hits and forced countless pop-ups.

"I thought we had 'em. Thought we had 'em, but it didn't work out that way," Victor said.

Kailua, the 2006 OIA champion under Victor, has already clinched a state tournament berth.

Facing a two-strike count, Lee knocked a lead-off single over the third-base bag. Oshiro, hitting from the top of the order, laid down a bunt that escaped the Surfriders for an infield single.

After both runners simultaneously stole a base with no outs, the Trojans put themselves in excellent position to regain the lead.

"We opened the door when we let the runner on, the first runner," Victor said. "That was the key to the door."

Right fielder Glenelle Nitta added an insurance run, sending home Senas with a single.

No. 3 Campbell 2, No. 4 Moanalua 1

Senior pitcher Breanne Patton carried the Campbell Sabers back into the OIA Red Division championship game with a superb all-around performance.

Loreen Egdamin drove in the go-ahead run in the fifth inning, and No. 3 Campbell withstood a leadoff runner on third base from No. 4 Moanalua with no outs in the seventh inning.

Patton struck out the final two Na Menehune batters to seal the win. She added a run scored and an RBI in the first inning.

"I think we did very well in that situation," Patton said. "I had total trust in my team."

The Sabers are out for revenge after falling to the Trojans in last year's title game and twice during this year's regular season.

OIA RED PLAYOFFS

Castle 8, No. 8 Leilehua 1

Leisha Liilii cranked a two-run home run to left field in the bottom of the first inning, leading the host Knights over eighth-ranked Leilehua in an OIA Red Division loser's bracket game.

Castle takes on Waipahu today for fifth place and a spot in the play-in game for a bid to the Datahouse/HHSAA Division I state softball championships starting May 14.

Waipahu 7, No. 5 Kapolei 5

Elsa Apo hit a ground-rule double down the third-base line and later scored in the Marauders' four-run third inning, as Waipahu beat host Kapolei.

OIA WHITE PLAYOFFS

Waialua 7, Waianae 3

Marissa Keao struck out eight and one hit to lead the Bulldogs over the host Seariders for third place in the OIA White playoffs.

Both Waialua and Waianae have clinched spots in the state tournament.

Nanakuli 5, McKinley 4

Lynze Wakinekoa went 4-for-4 as the Golden Hawks defeated the Tigers to win fifth place to capture the final OIA berth to the D-II state tournament.