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Prep Beat
Finally, there's a state softball championship trophy at Baldwin. Baldwin breaks
through, at lastGirls' soccer
By Tim Crouse
Special to the Star-BulletinThe Bears' state crown was the culmination of nearly 25 years of coaching by the Souza family -- first Rudy, and then his son Ryan.
"I'm glad it was my son that won the championship," said assistant coach Rudy Souza after Baldwin scored in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Kamehameha, 1-0, Saturday at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
"At first I had my doubts (this season) because we had only nine players, but two came out later. They stuck together and played like a team the whole time."
Under Rudy Souza, the Bears won 19 Maui Interscholastic League titles in 22 seasons. Last year, he handed the reins over to son Ryan but remained on staff as the pitching coach.
Everything finally fell into place as the Bears won their semifinal against Iolani and final against Kamehameha by 1-0 scores.
They beat two-time defending champion Iolani Friday with a run in the bottom of the eighth despite getting no hits against Ianeta Lei.
"I always told my son, (to win) state championships you have to have a little luck," said Rudy. "I never had the luck. He had it (Friday) and again (Saturday) in the seventh. One hit and that's what did it."
On Saturday in the title game at Rainbow Wahine Stadium, Baldwin's Shannon Tabion and Kamehameha's Leo Sing Chow waged a fierce pitching battle into the seventh.
The Warriors put together scoring threats in the fourth and sixth innings against Tabion, who pitched 22 innings in three days.
With runners at first and second and one out in the fourth, Ashley Ruff lined out to Tabion, who fired to first to double up the baserunner.
With two on in the sixth, Tabion got cleanup hitter Brandi Peiler to ground out for the second out. A pitch to Ruff rolled away from catcher Ashlyn Russell, who quickly retrieved it and gunned down a runner trying to advance to second.
Sing Chow stranded a Baldwin runner at third base in the third inning to end the Bears' biggest threat through the first six innings. The Kamehameha southpaw went into the seventh with six strikeouts and a no-hitter.
Russell battled Sing Chow to a full count before getting plunked to open the bottom of the seventh.
Tabion grounded a ball to third, but the throw to first got away to put runners at second and third.
"I told myself to be smart and I trusted my teammates coming up," said Russell. "I knew that all they had to do was get it out of the infield and I was in."
An intentional walk to Angela LaRose brought Sabrina Alesna-Mindoro to the plate with no outs.
With the outfield drawn in, Alesna-Mindoro lined the first pitch over the left fielder for Baldwin's only hit of the game -- scoring Russell and earning the Bears their long-awaited trophy.
"I got third place and second place, but never have won," said Rudy. "And now my son's got it.
"I know it's big for him," said Ryan. "I don't want to turn and look at him because I'm going to cry. I'm staying on the field as long as I can because the moment I walk up to my family it's my time to let go."
Rudy traveled from Maui on Saturday for the title game.
"At the airport everyone kept telling me, 'Come home with a trophy," he said. "And the girls did it."
Defending champion Baldwin made another successful run through the Maui Interscholastic League to secure the top seed in this week's Meadow Gold Girls' State Soccer Championships. Bears gain No. 1 seed
The Bears (12-0-0) look to defend their title, led by the MIL's leading scorer, Shawna Shimamura, and 2000 player of the year Nicole Garbin.
Pearl City (11-1-0), which won the OIA crown on Saturday, is the No. 2 seed, followed by ILH champion Punahou (10-0-2) and BIIF champion Hawaii Prep (11-1-0).
Rounding out the field are Aiea, Mililani, Kahuku, Kailua, King Kekaulike, Hilo, Waiakea and Kauai.
The tournament is at Waipio Soccer Park Wednesday and Thursday. Play moves to Aloha Stadium Friday and Saturday.
Admission at Waipio is free. Adult tickets at Aloha Stadium are $7. Student tickets are $5.
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