[ HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS ]
RONEN ZILBERMAN / RZILBERMAN@STARBULLETIN.COM
Kamehameha's Noe Esperas pitched to Iolani's Chelsey Keola yesterday. The Warriors won 3-1.
Kamehameha earns
state-tournament bidOIA sets playoff fields
Kamehameha kept its grip on first place in Interscholastic League of Honolulu softball and qualified yesterday for a spot in the upcoming state tournament by rallying for two runs in the fifth inning to defeat host Iolani 3-1.
Sophomore Kaui Tom and junior Liane Horiuchi -- the bookends of the Warriors' batting order -- delivered the timely blows.
"Liane and Kaui, No. 1 and No. 9 in our order, have really been doing the job at the plate for us lately," Kamehameha coach Ty Sing Chow said after the game. "They were hot again today."
The Warriors improved to 11-0-1 and need one more win to clinch the league title. Punahou (10-2) and Iolani (8-2-1) are still alive for the title and go head-to-head Monday in a game that will likely decide the league's other state berth.
With the score tied 1-all in the fifth, Lena Nahale drew a one-out walk and stole second. Two batters later, Tom lashed a two-out, line-drive single to center to drive in Nahale with what proved to be the winning run.
Horiuchi followed with a triple to center, bringing Tom home for a 3-1 lead. After reaching third, Horiuchi tried to race home on an Iolani overthrow, but was thrown out by Raider third baseman Tiff Rodrigues to end the inning.
But the damage was already done and Iolani's title hopes were seriously dented.
"When you play a team as talented and well-coached as Kamehameha, it's hard to shut them down for seven innings," Iolani coach Chris Shimabukuro said. "They have so much speed and athleticism and their offense puts so much pressure on you."
Raider pitcher Sheryl Fukuda breezed through the first three innings. She held a 1-0 lead before giving up the tying run in the fourth when Kaulana Gould singled to center, stole second and scored on Sharee Fonoti's blooper to right.
In the third, Iolani's Kaz Masutani stroked a double to center off Warriors starter Noe Esperas and eventually trotted home on Tara Yanagihashi's single to break a scoreless tie.
Warriors reliever Kate Robinson earned the win. She went three innings and gave up just one of the Raiders' five hits.
"This was a good win for us," said Tom, Kamehameha's sophomore right fielder. "We really needed it and they're a good hitting team. Our defense was strong enough to stop them, and the coaches really inspired and motivated us when we were down 1-0."
The Raiders also have games against University and Sacred Hearts left and can't afford another loss.
"I thought we played a solid game, but came up a little bit short," Shimabukuro said. "All of our remaining games are big ones and we're fortunate we still have an opportunity to make the states."
At Iolani School field
W--Kate Robinson. L--Sheryl Fukuda.
Leading hitters--Kam: Liane Horiuchi 3b, RBI; Brandi Peiler 2b; Sharee Fonoti 2-3, RBI; Kaui Tom 2-3, RBI. Iol: Kaz Masutani 2-3, Fukuda 2-2, Tara Yanagihashi RBI.
OTHER ILH GAMES
Mid-Pacific 5, Maryknoll 4W--Shari Shobu. L--Jade Kurihara.
Leading hitters--MPI: Meghan Laughlin, 2-5; Torie Sumi, 2-5; Melissa Sloan, 2-4.
Punahou 8, University 1
W--Sarah Weisskopf. L--Jessica Ghazaldi.
Leading hitters--Pun: Shanna-Lei Dacanay, 2-4; Gail Matsushima, 2-3, HR, 5 RBIs; Weisskopf, 2-4; Erica Miyabara, 2-3.
OIA East
Varsity girlsCastle 9, Kahuku 0
W--Lia Pedrina. L--Kamaile Hughes.
Leading hitters--Cas: Tiani Mattos, 2-3, 3b, 4 RBIs; Sheyna Farley, HR, 2 RBIs; Audrey Ako, 2-2.
Kaimuki 1, Kaiser 0
W--Mindy Hirokawa. L--Lindsey Gibu.
Leading hitters--Kais: Whitney Yui, 2b. Kaim: Brandi Sasaki, HR.
Roosevelt 4, Moanalua 2 (13 innings)
W--Genoa Aiko. L--Mika Tanji.
Leading hitters--Roos: Megan Pasion, 2-6, 2b, 2 RBIs; Kimberly Fuller, 2-6, 2 RBIs. Moan: Tanji, 2-4, 2b; Joy Matsukawa, 2-4.
OIA West
Varsity girlsKapolei 7, Waianae 0
W--Tajia Acierto (11K). L--Tracy Kane.
Leading hitters--Kap: Malamaisaua Manuma, 2-3, 3b, RBI; Jasmin Yoro, 2-2, 3b, RBI; Austi Paris, 2 RBIs; Amanda Shigetani, 2 RBIs.
Junior varsity girls
Kapolei 15, Waianae 4
BIIF
Varsity Division II playoffsHonoka'a 3, Kamehameha-Hawaii 2
W--Deynna Pahio (4K). L--Courtney Poai.
Leading hitters--Kam: Tiana Hose, 2-hits, RBI. Hon: Kristyn DeLuz, 2-hits, 3b.
BACK TO TOP |
OIA sets playoff fields
Undefeated Kailua and seven other teams will play in the opening round of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Division (I) softball playoffs Tuesday.
Four teams qualified for the White Division (II) playoffs, which start today.
East Division champion and defending state champion Kailua (10-0) hosts Leilehua (8-2) on Tuesday. In other Red first-round games, Pearl City (8-2) visits Castle (9-1), Kahuku (7-3) travels to Mililani (9-1) and Kapolei (9-1) hosts Roosevelt (8-2).
Red teams are trying to gain the league's five berths to the state Division I tournament.
In today's White Division semifinals, Kalaheo (4-6) hosts Nanakuli (4-6) and Kalani (1-9) visits Aiea (4-6). Both games and tomorrow's final at Mililani are at 3:30.
The White champion advances to the inaugural state Division II tournament.
OIA softball
Red Division (I)Tuesday, Feb. 3
Game 1: Pearl City (8-2) at Castle (9-1), 3:30 p.m.
Game 2: Kahuku (7-3) at Mililani (9-1), 3:30 p.m.
Game 3: Leilehua (8-2) at Kailua (10-0), 3:30 p.m.
Game 4: Roosevelt (8-2) at Kapolei (9-1), 3:30 p.m.Wednesday, Feb. 4
(All games at higher seed)
Game 5: Losers Games 1 and 2, 3:30 p.m.
Game 6: Losers Games 3 and 4, 3:30 p.m.
Game 7: Winners Games 1 and 2, 3:30 p.m.
Game 8: Winners Games 3 and 4, 3:30 p.m.Friday, Feb. 6
Game 9: Winners Games 5 and 6, fifth-place game at higher seed, 3:30 p.m.
Game 10: Losers Games 7 and 8, third-place game at Mililani, 1 p.m.
Game 11: Winners Games 7 and 8, championship game at Mililani, 3:30 p.m.White Division (II)
Today
SemifinalsNanakuli (4-6) at Kalaheo (4-6), 3:30 p.m.
Kalani (1-9) at Aiea, 3:30 p.m.Tomorrow
Championship gameSemifinal winners, 3:30 p.m.
Oahu Interscholastic Association
