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GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Mililani's Elsa Apo scored a run against Lahainaluna during an opening-round game yesterday.

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Mililani routs
Lahainaluna

A freshman has every right to have a serious case of the nerves before her first state-tournament game.

Makani Duhaylonsod showed nothing of the sort. The 5-foot-10 ace scattered six hits and Mililani's offense pounded Lahainaluna pitching en route to a 9-2 win last night in the opening round of the Data House Hawaii High School Athletic Association Softball Championships at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

For Duhaylonsod, a season's worth of high-pressure games -- including one on statewide TV -- forged a steely interior.

"My butterflies flew away," she said. "The defense was helping me, and my outside pitches worked. I actually got to finish a whole game."

Duhaylonsod struck out four and walked just one, and only one of the two runs by Lahainaluna was earned. With the win, Mililani (13-3) advanced to the quarterfinals. The Trojans play Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion Waiakea (8-2) at 3 p.m.

"The first day is so tough. You lose and it's over," Mililani coach Mike Okimoto said. "People might say you get a tough route or an easy route, but there are no easy routes. Waiakea's gotta be decent because they're the Big Island champs. You don't know what's gonna happen."

Even after giving up a two-run single to Kelci Fushikoshi in the first inning, Duhaylonsod was calm and cool. The Trojans, finishing with a 13-hit attack, exploded for eight runs on seven hits in the second inning and were never threatened again.

"I was a little worried because they jumped on us pretty quick," Okimoto said. "But we hit good today, so I was kind of surprised. And our defense got us out of some innings."

Lahainaluna (11-3), the Maui Interscholastic League runner-up, stranded nine baserunners.

"That's been the story of our year," Lunas coach Earle Kukahiko said. "We usually leave eight or nine runners a game."

Luna starting pitcher Desiree Sumajit struggled from the start, but got out of the first inning unscathed. The second frame, however, was a torrential downpour. Mililani sent 14 batters to the plate, putting its first nine on base. Four of the Trojans' seven hits in the inning drove in runs.

"Sometimes it's the excitement of the big game," said Kukahiko, who has just four seniors on her roster. "Hopefully, they'll mature and get good experience the rest of the tournament."

Kimberly Goo added a towering solo home run in the sixth inning for Mililani.

Dana Lee went 3-for-5 with two RBIs to lead the Trojans' offense. Goo finished 2-for-5 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

"Mililani is a quality team. They always are," Kukahiko said. "Sometimes they're predictable, but they always execute well, and they're well-coached."

Mililani (13-3)	080	001	0	--	9	13	3
Lahainaluna (11-3)	200	000	0	--	2	6	4

Makani Duhaylonsod and Skye Virtudes. Desiree Sumajit (1), Pi'ilani Uyeda (1), Ikapela Watson (6), Tiffany Bonifacio (7) and Tasha Pagdilao.
Leading hitters: Mililani -- Dana Lee 3-for-5, 2 RBIs, run scored; Elsa Apo 2-for-3, RBI; Kimberly Goo 2-for-5, 2 RBIs, 2 runs scored; Samantha Bolosan 2-for-4, RBI, run scored. Lahainaluna -- Jessica Maielua 2-for-4, run scored.

Pearl City 10, Hilo 0, 5 inn.

She didn't have her usual form, but Marina Gusman-Brown had more than enough to tame the Vikings in a game cut short by the 10-run rule.

Pearl City (13-3) advanced to the quarterfinals, where MIL champion Baldwin (12-1) awaits for today's 1 p.m. game.

Gusman-Brown, a junior, allowed just two hits over four innings, and the Chargers broke the game open with a seven-run third inning.

"I felt weak today. I didn't get enough rest, I guess," Gusman-Brown said. "My fastball was flat, but my up ball (riser) was working."

Gusman-Brown, who struck out three and walked one, also led off the lineup and went 3-for-3 with three runs scored. Corrie Nishikida went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and cleanup hitter Shanna Vierra was 2-for-3 with two RBI.

Vierra's two-run single highlighted the big second inning for Pearl City, which sent 13 batters to the plate, the first seven reaching base.

Leading 9-0, Chargers pinch hitter Cierra Tadeo drove in Gusman-Brown with a sacrifice fly, ending the game on the 10-run rule. Hilo senior Jonette Ugalde took the loss, walking six and allowing all 10 of Pearl City's hits.

Pearl City played Hilo at the Waimea Invitational Tournament in December, winning a lopsided game.

"We knew they were first-pitch hitters," Gusman-Brown said.

"I knew if I put the ball in play, the defense would work behind me."

Nishikida pitched the fifth inning in relief.

"I kinda wanted Corrie to get more work," Chargers coach Keoki Behic said.

Hilo (4-7)		000	00	--	0	3	2
Pearl City (13-3)		107	11	--	10	10	0

Two outs when the game ended
Jonette Ugalde and Chante Ching. Marina Gusman-Brown (4), Corrie Nishikida and Noelle Hirahara.
Leading hitters: Pearl City -- M. Gusman-Brown 3-for-3, 3 runs scored; Nishikida 2-for-4, RBI, run scored; Shanna Vierra 2-for-3, 2 RBIs, run scored.