Clutch catch helps Mid-Pacific return to state tournament

In the three-way bidding war for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu softball championship, Mid-Pacific right fielder Sarah Onishi’s arm extended farther than the rest.

A hard-charging Onishi went completely horizontal for a spectacular grab of a fifth-inning rocket shot by Maryknoll shortstop Tamia Hirano, robbing the Spartans of a tying run and helping lift the host Owls to a 6-2 victory in a regular-season tiebreaker game on Thursday. Third-ranked MPI (12-3) clinched a state berth with its 10th straight victory and will play at Kamehameha for the ILH’s regular-season title on Saturday.

"Today I was feeling it," Onishi said. "I was feeling good about my defensive plays, so when I saw (it), I just went for it. I think before I hit the ground I already had it, so I was like, ‘Yes!’ " She laughed.

Coaches from both teams marveled at the play.

"I mean, I don’t think (just) any good right fielder would have caught that ball," Maryknoll coach John Uekawa said. "Because that was a solid hit, it really was. You gotta give them a lot, a lot of credit. I mean, they played their hearts out."

Said Owls coach Alan Inaba: "At practice she works on it, but never this dramatic and exciting."

Onishi’s teammates realized the import of the moment as well; Maryknoll’s runner on first could have come all the way around on the ball hit to the corner just inside the foul line. They clapped Onishi on the back on the senior’s way to the dugout with a 2-1 lead preserved. Then, in the bottom of the inning, MPI loaded the bases for cleanup hitter Lindsey Matoi. On a 2-2 count, Matoi smacked a bases-clearing triple to right off Ryna Labasan and Onishi brought Matoi in on a sacrifice fly to break the game open.

"Sarah’s catch gave us momentum going into hitting," said Matoi, who had four RBIs. "I was looking for a good pitch to hit. I have to give credit to all the other players who got on before me."

Top-ranked Maryknoll (11-4) was also stymied in the top of the fifth when a squeeze bunt stopped dead just in front of home plate, allowing catcher Taylor Ann Oda to tag out Mylee Enos.

Labasan tried to start a Spartans rally in the sixth, smacking a one-out triple off Owls ace Kaili Akimseu. Bri Ryan brought in the run with a sacrifice fly. The next two Spartans hit safely, but the single run would be all they could muster.

Akimseu gave up eight hits, but did not issue a walk and struck out two for the victory.

Depending on Saturday’s result, either Kamehameha or Maryknoll will have to fight off the rest of the ILH for the league’s third and final state tournament berth in a do-or-die league tourney next week.

Thursday’s win assured the Owls they wouldn’t have to sweat that out. Even should they lose to Kamehameha, they can do no worse than No. 2. Should MPI beat Kamehameha, the Warriors will play Maryknoll for the ILH’s second spot.

At Mid-Pacific

Ryna Labasan and Kasey Magdadaro. Kaili Akimseu and Taylor Ann Oda.

W—Akimseu. L—Labasan.

Leading hitters—Mryk: Bree Suma 2b; Labasan 3b; Erica Inagaki 2b; Magdadaro 2-2, 2b. MPI: Oda 2-3, 2 runs; Lindsey Matoi 3b, 4 RBIs.

OIA RED PLAYOFFS

NO. 4 MILILANI 4, LEILEHUA 1

Aubree Kim struck out 14 batters and allowed only three hits as the Trojans defeated the Mules.

Mililani will play Campbell in the semifinals today at Central Oahu Regional Park.

At Mililani

Taezha-Ann Cordero and Alo Salausa. Aubree Kim and Markie Okamoto.

W—Kim. L—Cordero.

Leading hitters—Lei: Cordero 2b, RBI. Mil: Karly Macadangdang 2b, RBI; Kristen Ishii 2-3; Markie Okamoto 2-2, 2 runs.

NO. 5 MOANALUA 6, KAPOLEI 2

Makamae Kaleikini tripled and drove in two runs to lead Na Menehune past the Hurricanes.

Moanalua takes on Waianae in an OIA semifinal at 7 p.m. at Central Oahu Regional Park.

At Moanalua

Laugatausala Pedebone and Alecia Kupihea. Leisha Yamauchi and Chrissi Omalza.

W—Yamauchi. L—Pedebone.

Leading hitters—Kapo: Kamryn Kanae 2b. Moan: Makamae Kaleikini 2-4, 3b, 2 RBIs; Omalza 3b.

NO. 7 CAMPBELL 11, KAISER 0, 6 INN.

Caragh Morris had four hits, including two triples and a home run, as the Sabers shut out the Cougars in six innings.

At Kaiser

Elisa Favela and Kiana Ulufale. Seli Aholelei and Tiana Ching-Lake.

W—Favela. L—Aholelei.

Leading hitters—Camp: Caragh Morris 4-4, 2 3bs, HR, 5 RBIs; Kawehi Kawana 3-4, 2b, 3b; Nashlynn Anguay 2-4, 2b.

WAIANAE 3, PEARL CITY 0

Cranci Kamaka struck out seven batters as the Seariders shut out the Chargers.

At Waianae

Kristin Frost, Tiana Kaaialii (5) and Robi Kami. Cranci Kamaka and Breisha Wagner. W—Kamaka. L—Frost.

Leading hitters—Wain: Randie Santiago 2-2, run; Nue Sivia 2b.

OIA WHITE PLAYOFFS

WAIALUA 19, FARRINGTON 15

Shawn Kauwalu went 4-for-4, hitting one of the Governors’ three home runs to help lift them past the Bulldogs.

At Waialua 

Precious Peters and Racquel Misioka. Keahi Pang, Shawn Kauwalu (3) and Keirsten Razon, Jeani Deuz (2), Pang (3).

W—Kauwalu. L—Peters.

Leading hitters—Farr: Jonnie Cabrales 2-4, 3 runs, 2 RBIs; Misioka 2-6, 2 runs, RBI; Kailee McGloghlon 2b, 3 runs, RBI. Wail: Kauwalu 4-4, HR, 3 runs, 4 RBIs; Christel Agtina 4-5, HR, 4 runs, 3 RBIs; Selena Victoria 3-4, 2 2bs, 3b, 4 runs, 2 RBIs; Alaina Bayudan 3-5, 2b, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Pang 2-4, HR, 3 runs, 2 RBIs; Shaylee Souza 2-4, run, 2 RBIs.

MCKINLEY 16, KALAHEO 6, 5 INN.

Grace Kapesie had two hits, including a double and a triple, as the Tigers routed the Mustangs in five innings.

At Kaimuki 

Jacqui Howard, Tiffani Beach and H Spencer. Jillian Cristobal and Rachel Amor.

W—Cristobal. L—Howard.

Leading hitters—Kalh: Beach 2-2, 2 runs, RBI. McK: Grace Kapesi 2-4, 2b, 3b, 3 runs, RBI; Kay Tehotu 2-4, 3 runs, RBI; Amor 3b, 2 runs, RBI.