Pearl City pounds Nanakuli

Tyanna Kaaialii is on solid footing, even on a soggy night.

The senior ace tossed a three-hitter and went 3-for-3 at the plate, including a solo home run, as No. 6 Pearl City overpowered Nanakuli 10-0 in six innings at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park.

Pearl City brought the big bats early, pounding three home runs in the first two innings en route to a 9-0 lead. Noel Saunders drove in four runs, including a three-run homer in the first frame for the Chargers, who finished fourth in last year’s state tournament.

The game was the regular-season opener for both teams in the rugged Oahu Interscholastic Association West. Nanakuli, a perennial Division II powerhouse, was promoted to D-I this season. Pitcher Cranci Kamaka took the loss, permitting 10 hits, but she got little help in the second inning, when four errors led to five Charger runs.

All in all, Kaaialii was in a groove from the start despite a constant drizzle that grew heavier. The hurler nicknamed “Peanut Butter” was positively skippy, as in her favorite brand, with nine strikeouts and four walks.

“I haven’t seen a player put in that kind of work in a long time,” Chargers coach Chad Obara said. “Maybe on the baseball side: Sam Prentice. We’ve worked a lot on her composure. For the past two years, she’s gotten a lot better. Now I don’t have to talk to her (on the mound).”

Kaaialii allowed a single apiece in the second, third and fifth innings against the dangerous Golden Hawks, who won the OIA Division II title and finished second in the D-II state tourney last year.

“My coaches said they hug the plate,” said Kaaialii, who jammed the Hawks with curveballs, fastballs and risers on the inside part of the plate. “Everything felt good and smooth. The rain made me focus more.”

She also got flawless defense, particularly from left fielder Taylor Au, who came up with a diving catch at the fence and a hustling catch in foul territory inches from the fence in the first inning. She also had a diving catch in foul territory on a line drive in the sixth inning.

The Chargers took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Jaeda McFarland reached base on a one-out single and Darian Obara walked before Saunders blasted a three-run, opposite-field home run to left. Two batters later, Kaaialii ripped a 1-1 pitch over the left-field fence for a four-run lead.

Nanakuli loaded the bases in the top of the second against Kaaialii. Kamaka singled, Kamalei McCoy walked, and with one out Chalyssa Belford walked to load the bases. Kaaialii bore down and struck out Alexis Kaeo and Kalina Cabico to end the threat.

In the bottom of the second, Cheyne Obara’s hard ground ball went through the legs of the shortstop, Kaila Burnett, and under the glove of the left fielder, Cabico. After Taylor Shigeta’s sacrifice bunt advanced Obara to third base, Obara came home on a wild pitch for a 5-0 lead.

Kylie Tasaki singled and McFarland reached base on an error by second baseman Cheyenne Lute on a sacrifice bunt attempt. Darian Obara’s ensuing bunt was fielded by Kamaka, who misfired to first base, allowing Tasaki to cross home plate. After Saunders’ sacrifice fly to center plated McFarland, the Chargers had a 7-0 lead.

Hailey-Alexis Yamaguchi then socked a 2-2 pitch over the left-field fence for a two-run homer, and Pearl City led 9-0. Kaaialii followed with an infield single, but after Bryanna Passi singled to right, Kaaialii was thrown out trying to advance to third base, ending the inning.

Pearl City’s final run came in the sixth, when Au made her first plate appearance. She doubled to left, stole third base and scored on a sac fly to center by Tasaki.

“We’re just trying to play consistent ball. In preseason, we had some lows,” coach Obara said. “Focus and intensity are big for us. We’re constantly reminding about those things.”

Five teams from the OIA West finished among the top six at last year’s state tournament: champion Campbell, Kapolei, Mililani, Pearl City and Leilehua.