One team ran out of chances, while the other made the most of theirs.

Lianna Bajarin belted a solo homer and later scored the winning run on a single by Lindsey Takekawa in the bottom of the seventh inning as Roosevelt rallied past Castle 2-1 in the semifinal round of the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference softball playoffs.

Bajarin also went the distance on the mound to outduel Chandelle Dacorin, stifling one of the hottest teams in the state. Castle upset third-ranked Campbell in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Seventh-ranked Roosevelt (13-1) faces Mililani in tonight's final at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park. The Rough Riders' third win over the Knights was the toughest. Castle ace Chandelle Dacosin kept Roosevelt batters guessing, allowing just three hits until the seventh inning.

Bajarin walked on four pitches to lead off the frame and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Paika Frank. Kathleen Nakata lined a single off the glove of third baseman Maycee Moe to set up runners at the corners. Takekawa, Bajarin's battery mate, delivered a single to short left field on a 1-0 pitch.

“;I was just looking for something that I could hit,”; the junior said.

Roosevelt coach Clay Okamura couldn't hold back his tears as the Rough Riders, who were eliminated from the playoffs after one game last year, celebrated for a quick minute.

“;They believe in themselves. They came together as a team,”; said Okamura, who guided Roosevelt to the OIA final for the first time. The Rough Riders have also qualified for the state tourney for the first time in a decade.

Castle (11-4), ranked No. 9 in the Star-Bulletin Top 10, was prepared to spoil Roosevelt's ride. Brooke Kaulula'au led off the fourth inning with a double and came home on Leisha Liilii's single to right to give the Knights a 1-0 lead.

That was all the scoring they mustered, though. Two runners were thrown out stealing, and two more runners were cut down while trying to take extra bases on infield plays.

Roosevelt tied the game in the bottom of the fourth on Bajarin's towering two-out shot to center.

“;It was a high fastball, but I didn't know it was going to be a home run,”; the left-handed junior said.

On the mound, Bajarin struck out two and walked two while scattering five hits, using fastballs, drops and a highly effective changeup.

Mililani 8, Kapolei 3

Courtney Senas blasted two homers as the Trojans overwhelmed their Red West rival in the other semifinal. The first of Senas' taters, a three-run shot to left, spurred a seven-run first inning for Mililani (12-2).

That was plenty of cushion for fire-balling southpaw Kishti Kamaka, who mixed her fastball with a mesmerizing change up to strike out five and walk none for the complete-game win.

Kapolei ace Shawnna Holt-Santiago had some success nibbling on the corners and brought heat against the entire Mililani lineup. She finished with two strikeouts and one walk, while her defense committed three errors.

OIA WHITE

Kaiser 7, Kalani 1

Waialua 3, Kalaheo 0

OIA WHITE

Aiea 8, Radford 5

OIA Red

Leilehua 3, Kailua 0Campbell 9, Waianae 0

BIIF

Kamehameha-Hawaii 5, Kohala 4

ILH

'Iolani 2, Mid-Pacific 0

The Red Raiders claimed the ILH title last night with a win over the Owls. Brittney Guro picked up the win for 'Iolani with 12 strikeouts.

Pac-Five 12, Sacred Hearts 2