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LUCY PEMONI / LPEMONI@STARBULLETIN.COM Pearl City pitcher Corrie Nishikida limited Baldwin to four hits but gave up three runs yesterday.

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Chargers upend Bears

Perseverance is paying off for the Pearl City Chargers.

Corrie Nishikida endured a rough start and finished with a four-hitter as Pearl City rallied past third-seeded Baldwin 4-3 yesterday in the quarterfinals of the Data House State Softball Championships.

The win at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium vaulted Pearl City (14-3) into the semifinals, where Kapolei awaits. The Chargers and Hurricanes meet at 6 p.m. today.

Nishikida struck out three and walked one, and just one of the three runs she allowed was earned.

"I kind of got frustrated because at times, the strikes weren't going my way. But I adjusted, and when we started scoring, I was more confident," said Nishikida, who used a steady diet of changeups to keep the Bears off-balance.

"They made one more play than us today," Baldwin coach Ryan Souza said. "Nishikida really threw a great game. It wasn't until the fourth or fifth inning 'til we made adjustments."

Baldwin and Pearl City played to a 0-0 tie at the Waiakea Invitational Tournament in December.

"We knew they would slap, but they didn't today. That's usually their key. They're known for that," Nishikida said.

Souza said it had to do with Nishikida.

"Our thing was to do more slapping, but against the changeup, you end up pulling the ball. They kept our slappers off base," he said. "I don't think we played our best game, and that's because of Pearl City."

Baldwin, a team heavy with sophomores and freshmen, came in as the Maui Interscholastic League champion. The Bears (12-2), seeded third in the tourney, will play a consolation game today at noon.

Nishikida outlasted Baldwin sophomore Nicole Alconcel, who allowed four runs on seven hits. She fanned three and walked two in a gritty performance.

"She's a finesse pitcher, so if she doesn't get those corners, it hurts her game," Souza said. "The whole season, she's never fallen behind that many batters. When that happens, you got to adjust."

Baldwin struck first. Dayne Carvalho reached base on an error by Nishikida. After Carvalho stole second, Alconcel singled to center, bringing home Carvalho.

Moments later, Alconcel scored on an error by Charger shortstop Krystal Plunkett to give the Bears a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning.

The Chargers answered in the bottom half of the second. Nicole Oki and Noelle Hirahara singled, and Marina Gusman-Brown sent a towering shot to deep left field. Fa'aali Patolo caught the ball at the fence, but both runners advanced. After Nishikida walked, Plunkett sent a bloop single to center, scoring Oki and Hirahara to tie the game at 2.

"She threw outside, but I hit it on the bottom," Plunkett said. "I felt good. I felt like I did my job."

With the outfield drawn in, Shanna Vierra socked a double to center, scoring Nishikida and Plunkett for a 4-2 Pearl City lead.

That lead held up, even after Baldwin's Sanoe Kekahuna launched a solo home run to center in the sixth frame.

"I thought they'd be like Mililani," Plunkett added. "And they were, except they have more lefties and run faster."

Baldwin	002	001	0	--	3	4	0
Pearl City	004	000	x	--	4	7	2

Nicole Alconcel and Jenna Mailou. Corrie Nishikida and Noelle Hirahara.

Leading hitters: Baldwin -- Alconcel 2-for-3, RBI, run scored; PC -- Krystal Plunkett 1-for-3, 2 RBIs.

Mililani 5, Waiakea 0

Makani Duhaylonsod allowed just one hit in seven innings, posting her second win in as many days for the Trojans.

Mililani (14-3), runner-up from the Oahu Interscholastic Association, will meet Kailua today at 8 p.m.

Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion Waiakea (8-3) will play a consolation game at 10 a.m.

Duhaylonsod, a 5-foot-10 freshman, went the first five innings before Dana Lee took over. However, after Lee permitted two singles to the first two batters she faced, coach Mike Okimoto went back to Duhaylonsod, who squashed the Warriors' comeback hopes.

"I didn't want the momentum to change," Okimoto said. "You never know. A base hit, an error, and things change quickly."

Waiakea coach Kelvin Komeiji gave credit to Mililani.

"They're a well-rounded team with the bats, pitching and defense. For being a freshman, (Duhaylonsod) is real good. She killed us with her height. She stopped some ground balls up the middle," he said.

"We made a good showing and played hard. Our bats didn't come around. We put the ball in play, but it didn't fall," Komeiji said.

Casey Sugihara led Mililani at the plate with three hits in three at-bats, including an RBI.

The Trojans took a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Casey Sugihara singled to left, bringing in Chasity Senas from third. Moments later, Ciera Senas singled to center, bringing in Misty Maxwell for a 2-0 Mililani lead.

Pinch hitter Ashley Tanaka-Mori singled to center, bringing home Chasity Senas to give the Trojans a 3-0 lead in the third inning.

Lee, hit by a pitch, came around to score on Skye Virtudes' fielder's choice, giving the Trojans a 4-0 lead in the fourth.

Mililani scored its fifth run when Chasity Senas reached base on an infield error and came in to score on a single to center by Duhaylonsod.

Mililani had not played Waiakea in two years.

"Coach said we'd play our usual away: slap, bunt and steal," Ciera Senas said. "Makani hit her spots, didn't give up the big hits. She let us field."

Mililani	020	110	1	--	5	10	1
Waiakea	000	000	0	--	0	3	3

Makani Duhaylonsod , Dana Lee (5), Duhaylonsod (5) and Skye Virtudes. Dayna Wong and Harley Parks.
Leading hitters: Mililani -- Ciera Senas 2-for-4, RBI; Duhaylonsod 2-for-4, RBI; Casey Sugihara 3-for-3, RBI.

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HHSAA Div. I softball

At Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium
Seeds: 1. Punahou. 2. Kapolei. 3. Baldwin. 4. Waiakea.

Wednesday
Game 1: Pearl City 10, Hilo 0, 5 inn.
Ê2: Kaimuki 4, Kauai 0
Ê3: Mililani 9, Lahainaluna 2
Ê4: Kailua 1, Moanalua 0

Yesterday
Ê5: Moanalua 3, Lahainaluna 0
Ê6: Hilo 3, Kauai 0
Ê7: Pearl City 4, Baldwin 3
Ê8: Mililani 5, Waiakea 0
Ê9: Kapolei 6, Kaimuki 2
10: Kailua 2, Punahou 1

Today
11: Waiakea vs. Punahou, 10 a.m.
12: Baldwin vs. Kaimuki, Noon
13: Pearl City vs. Kapolei, 6 p.m.
14: Mililani vs. Kailua, 8 p.m.

Tomorrow
15: Hilo vs. Moanalua, Noon
16: Winners of Games 12 & 11, 2 p.m.
17: Losers of Games 13 & 14, 4 p.m.
18: Winners of Games 13 & 14, 8 p.m.

HHSAA Div. II softball

At Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium
today
Game 1: Kamehameha-Maui vs. Waipahu, 2 p.m.
Ê2: Konawaena vs. St. Francis, 4 p.m.

Tomorrow
Ê3: Losers of Games 2 & 1, 10 a.m.
Ê4: Winners of Games 2 & 1, 6 p.m.