CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM Punahou's Kelli Ishii ran past shortstop Liane Horiuchi of Kamehameha during a four-run fifth inning in yesterday's 5-0 win.

Weir and Weisskopf
pace Buffanblu

Following the blueprint of its "team-first" attitude, the Punahou softball squad benefited from the contributions of many different players to defeat Kamehameha 5-0 and remain alone atop the Interscholastic League of Honolulu standings.

"I'm so happy for the girls," said Punahou coach Kristl Chinen. "I'm happy for the support from the families and faculty that came out today and I think we got a good team win."

Early on, it was the Buffanblu defense that provided support for pitcher Sarah Weisskopf, who surrendered four of the five hits she allowed in the first three innings.

The returning All-State performer quickly settled down to record the complete-game shutout, recording seven strikeouts while walking only one to improve to 7-0 this year.

"I don't think I was at my best in the first couple of innings," Weisskopf said. "Even though I didn't feel that great, my defense really had my back, and that gave me more confidence as the game went on and helped me a lot. My pitching coach Sarah (Yamashiro) helped me, too, by getting ready for the batters coming up each inning."

Punahou's first big defensive play came in the top of the third with one out, the bases loaded and All-State slugger Kaui Tom at bat. Tom attempted to squeeze in the first run of the game on an 0-1 pitch, placing the ball just in front of Punahou catcher Kaha Weir.

But Weir quickly scooped up the ball, stepped on home plate and fired to first to complete the double play and keep the game scoreless.

The game continued to be a pitchers duel between Weisskopf and Kamehameha ace Noe Esperas until the bottom of the fifth, when Weir sparked a four-run Punahou rally.

Weir laced a clean single to right field and was followed by Adrienne Tanaka, who popped up her sacrifice attempt to Warriors catcher Lauae Emmsley for the first out. Kelli Ishii topped a grounder back to Esperas, who turned and fired to Tom at second base for the apparent force.

But Weir was ruled safe at second to give Punahou runners at first and second. Jeri Shimazu then looped a soft hit into shallow left-center just beyond the reach of oncoming Kamehameha left fielder Hoku Nohara to set the stage for the heroics of pinch hitter Kimberly Nagamine.

Nagamine stepped to the plate for left fielder Erica Miyabara and drilled the first pitch she saw into left field for the first run of the game. A Kamehameha fielding error and a single by shortstop Shanna-Lei Dacanay accounted for three more runs.

"I was so happy for Kim," Chinen said. "Last year she was second-team All-ILH and this year she hadn't been playing too much. All of our other outfielders have been hitting so well that she hasn't had much of a chance to play.

"She's such a good kid and she works so hard even though I know it's been hard. We always tell her to be ready for her shot and today she really came through in a big situation."

Weir gave Punahou another run with her solo homer to left in the bottom of the sixth, and Weisskopf retired the last seven batters of the game to give the Buffanblu their second win over the Warriors this year.