Shibata’s hit helps Aiea win D-II crown

Taira Shibata’s two-run double in the top of the eighth inning lifted Aiea over two-time defending champion Nanakuli 10-8 for the OIA White softball championship.

It is Na Alii’s first league title under coach Alan Higuchi, who guided a turnaround after a midseason forfeit loss to Nanakuli.

"You could say it was a wake-up call," he said of a week when roughly half the team were no-shows to practice, breaking a team rule. "The players decided to make a commitment."

Aiea’s win ended a run of three titles in a row by Nanakuli, which is also the two-time D-II defending state champ.

Shibata, the No. 8 batter, drilled a 1-2 pitch to left.

"I was expecting an inside pitch. I was like, finally! I really wanted to make my team proud."

Poamai Tuli went eight innings for the win.

Aiea broke a 2-2 tie with a three-run fourth inning, sparked by Vesi Liilii’s two-run double to center.

But Nanakuli answered with Mahina Piilani’s grand slam to center, highlighting a five-run fifth frame for a 7-5 lead.

Kailie Alama came up big for Aiea in the sixth, singling home a run before scoring on a wild pitch to tie it at 7.

Liilii singled and scored on Riley Tagawa’s single to give Aiea an 8-7 lead in the top of the seventh.

Nanakuli got a big break in the bottom half when a slow grounder to second turned into a tag attempt of baserunner Ashley Van Gieson that missed. She later scored on Kanalei McCoy’s bloop single to left, tying the score at 8.

Poamai Tuli and Kailie Alama. Cheyenne Lute and Kaila Burnett. W–Tuli. L–Lute.

Leading hitters–Aiea: Vesi Liilii 2-5, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Riley Tagawa 2-3; Kailie Alama 3-4, double, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Chantel Shimabukuro 3-5 RBI; Taira Shibata 2-5, double, 2 RBIs. Nanakuli: Lute 2-4, 2 runs; Emma Kawaiaea 2-4; Ashley Van Gieson 2-5, 2 runs, RBI; Kika Mahoe 2-3, 2 runs.

Third Place

Waialua 14, Kalaheo 8

Danielle Maxwell and Laola Pang. Jacqui Howard and Michelle Sasaki. W–Maxwell. L–Howard.

Leading hitters–Waialua: Selena Victoria 3-5, 2b, 3b, 3 RBIs; Christel Agtina 3-4, 2b 2 RBIs; Andrea Dicion 2-5, 2b, HR, 3 RBIs. Kalaheo: Howard 2-4, RBI; Tiffany Deach 2-4, 2 RBIs.