Mililani headed to states

Mililani defeated Leilehua 5-1 last night at Central Oahu Regional Park to capture fifth place in the Oahu Interscholastic Association tournament.

More importantly, the Trojans earned a berth in the state championship as the OIA's fifth and final representative.

Kelsey Nakata threw a complete game for Mililani (20-7), allowing seven hits and striking out six Mules batters. He also earned the win against Waianae in a game played earlier in the day at Mililani High School as a continuation of the contest that started Friday night but was suspended after eight innings.

"Kelsey is money," said Mililani head coach Dean Sato. "The (earlier) game really helped us out. The momentum was big. Getting the win and jumping on the bus (to play Leilehua) really helped the kids."

Leilehua (19-9) struck first when Casey Yamaguchi reached on an infield single in the third inning , moved to third after an Andrew Ontai single and came home on a safety squeeze by Joshua Pastor.

The Trojans, tied for second in the Star-Bulletin Top 10, answered in the bottom half of the inning with two runs on four hits. Tony Aquino reached second on an error by Mules center fielder Andrew Ontai and came home on Brandon Oshiro's triple deep in the left-center gap. Kamaka Crabbe's single plated Oshiro to put Mililani up 2-1. The Trojans never relinquished the lead.

At Central Oahu Regional Park

Leilehua (9-4)	001	000	0	--	1	7	2
Mililani (11-1)	002	300	x	--	5	9	1

John Olley, Casey Yamaguchi (3), Joshua Pastor (5) and Gavin Uyeda. Kelsey Nakata and Kamaka Crabbe. W--Nakata. L--Olley.
Leading hitters--Lei: Uyeda 2-3, 2B; Casey Yamaguchi 2-3. Mil: Crabbe 2-4, 2B, 4 RBI; Brandon Oshiro 2-3, 3B, RBI, 2 runs; John Abreu 2-3.