Pico comes through as Molokai wins opener

Division II State Softball

In its first trip to the state softball tournament in school history last year, Molokai wasn't able to win a game.

Senior Deisha Pico made sure this year wouldn't be the same.

Pico broke a 1-1 tie with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning, and Joreen Kepa gave up just four hits in seven innings as the Farmers knocked off Farrington 2-1 yesterday in the first round of the Datahouse/HHSAA Division II State Softball Championships at Central Oahu Regional Park.

Datahouse/HHSAA State Softball Championships DIVISION II Seeds: 1. Sacred Hearts; 2. Kauai; 3. Kahuku; 4. KS-Hawaii FIRST ROUND Yesterday Lanai vs. McKinley, ppd. Molokai 2, Farrington 1 Pahoa 11, Kaiser 4 Maryknoll 4, Kohala 2 Today Lanai vs. McKinley, at Central Oahu Regional Park Field 1, 2 p.m. QUARTERFINALS Today Sacred Hearts vs. Lanai/McKinley winner, at Central Oahu Regional Park Field 3, 5 p.m. KS-Hawaii vs. Molokai, at Central Oahu Regional Park Field 1, 7 p.m. Kauai vs. Pahoa, at Central Oahu Regional Park Field 2, 7 p.m. Kahuku vs. Maryknoll, at Central Oahu Regional Park Field 3, 7 p.m.

Molokai advances to today's quarterfinal game against fourth-seeded Kamehameha-Hawaii at 7 p.m.

"It's always exciting to be here, but this time we want to show everybody that we can play too," Pico said.

Molokai scored the first run in the third inning on an error by Farrington pitcher Felicia Tui. The Farmers' Danna-Lynn Hooper-Juario put down a bunt along the first-base line, and Tui's throw got past the first baseman and went all the way to the wall as Hooper-Juario rounded the bases and scored.

Molokai gave the run back, however, as Tui and Victoria Tagovailoa reached base on errors to open the fifth. Tui scored from third on a sacrifice fly by Kinciana Ngirilmau, but the Govs left Tagovailoa on third.

"A lot of times it comes down to which team will crack first," Kepa said.

Farrington left another runner on third to end the top of the sixth, giving the Farmers the opening they needed.

Tawney Fernandez led off the bottom of the inning with her second infield hit of the game, and was on third with two outs when Pico laced a 1-2 pitch to right field to drive Fernandez in with the game-winning run.

"I was just trying to make contact and put the ball in play somewhere," Pico said.

"It was just a matter of time before she found her swing," added Farmers coach Melveena Starkey. "Our offense started slow, but Joreen kept us in it."

Kepa didn't record any strikeouts, but was effective with her pitching. The only run scored by the Governors was unearned, and after giving up three hits in the first two innings, Kepa settled down to retire 16 of the last 18 batters she faced.

Maryknoll 4, Kohala 2

Ariel Silva's RBI single highlighted a four-run sixth inning for the Spartans (6-10), who held on to defeat the Cowgirls (9-4).

Silva also earned the victory, giving up five hits and two runs over seven innings. Maryknoll advances to the quarterfinals today to face third-seeded Kahuku at 7 p.m.

Pahoa 11, Kaiser 4

The Daggers rocked Cougars starting pitcher Kayla Alcoran by scoring eight runs in the first two innings as Pahoa advanced to today's quarterfinal game against second-seeded Kauai at 7 p.m.

Noel Filoteo was 3-for-4 and drove in four runs for Pahoa, and also earned the win, holding Kaiser to just four hits over seven innings. Chelsea Cohen and Faaluteta Enos each drove in two runs for the Daggers as well.

Lanai vs. McKinley, postponed

The opening-round game between McKinley and Lanai was postponed after the Pine Lasses' flight was canceled due to heavy winds. The game was rescheduled for today at 2 p.m. If Lanai isn't able to find a flight in time, the Tigers will advance to the quarterfinal later tonight.