Despite the drizzly conditions, Mid-Pacific delighted its home fans with the sunshine of victory when the Owls erupted for five runs in the sixth inning to secure a 9-5 win over Punahou yesterday.

The victory gave Mid-Pacific its first Interscholastic League of Honolulu softball championship and an opportunity to garner a high seed in next week's state tournament at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

Mid-Pacific was the ILH first-round champion and Punahou captured the second round. The game was played to determine the overall champion, although both teams advance to the state tournament.

“;This was a great game with a lot of excitement that went back and forth from the first inning to the last,”; Mid-Pac coach Willie Quinn said.

Neither team could keep a lead in the seesaw battle until the bottom of the sixth.

Down 5-4, the Owls patiently worked over Punahou pitcher Jasmine Ioane and took command in what had been a close game.

Kacy Aoki started the scoring parade by ripping a double into the outfield. And it didn't take long for Aoki to touch home plate. When the next batter bunted, the throw to first base was off target and went into the outfield. An alert Aoki then hustled from third to home and tied the game at 5-all.

Mid-Pacific kept the rally going and soon had runners at every base.

Three consecutive walks—to Tasi Docktor, Kristin Yama and Kaydi Kochi—forced in three runs to give Mid-Pacific an 8-5 lead.

“;I'm sure the off-and-on drizzle bothered Jasmine,”; Quinn said. “;But we had to play in the same conditions as well.”;

The Owls added an insurance run on Dori Leong's RBI single.

“;This was a good team effort,”; said Yama, who had two doubles and two RBIs. “;When I was at the plate I was thinking that I somehow had to made contact. I was looking to bring my teammates in.”;

Punahou had taken a 5-4 lead in the top of the sixth on Sarah Hiramatsu's three-run double to left.

Winning pitcher Keiki Carlos struggled at times, but pitched herself out of trouble when it mattered most.

In the top of the seventh, Punahou had the bases loaded with one out. But a double play, started by Yama at short, set off a wild celebration in the Owls' dugout.

“;I knew that my defense was there to back me up,”; Carlos said. “;This is our last home game, but most of all I'm happy that we brought home a title for our school.”;

Quinn said he hopes the motivation from this win will continue into the state tourney.

“;It's a lot easier when you come away from a game on top,”; Quinn said. “;But we still have a long road ahead of us. ... It's good to win this one. And it will provide much motivation for our team, but the season isn't over yet.”;

Punahou is also looking forward to playing in the state tournament.

“;This was a classic game,”; Punahou coach Bob Makahilahila said. “;We have to look at this game as a learning experience and prepare ourselves for states.”;

Jasmine Ioane and Kayla Shimoda. Keiki Carlos and Kaydi Kochi. W—Carlos. L—Ioane.

Leading hitters—MPI: Kristin Yama 2-3, 2 2bs, 2 RBIs; Kochi 2 RBIs; Kacy Aoki 2b; Aya Hadley 2 runs; Tasi Docktor 2 runs. PUN: Reina Furuya 2 runs; Ioane 2-2; Shimoda 3b; Sara Hiramatsu 2b, 3 RBIs.

Pac-Five 6, Maryknoll 4

Alena Hookano hit a three-run home run to lead the Wolfpack over the Spartans at Moiliili Park for the lone ILH Division II berth in the state tournament.

Hookano lined a shot over the left-field fence to trigger a four-run outburst for Pac-Five (4-11) in the second inning, and Sheridan Mahelona went the distance, holding Maryknoll (3-12) to four singles.

Sheridan Mahelona and Cassandra Koja. Kristen Yamasaki and Carolann Toyama. W—Mahelona. L—Yamasaki.

Leading hitters—P5: Aja Keyes 2b, 2 RBIs; Alena Hookano HR, 3 RBIs.