Determined Castle clinches OIA Red East
This story has been corrected. |
For the Castle softball team, yesterday’s 9 a.m. start time required rolling out of bed pretty early on a Saturday.
But in a sense, the Knights’ wake-up call had sounded a few days prior.
After a loss to Kaimuki on Tuesday dropped the top-ranked Knights out of first place in the OIA Red East, they responded with two wins over Kailua and clinched the division title with a 4-1 victory yesterday at the Surfriders’ field.
"That was a big motivator for us," Castle senior pitcher Leisha Liilii said of the Knights’ lone loss of the regular season. "It made us push harder in practice to prepare for these two games because we knew it was going to be tough."
The Knights (11-1) enter the OIA Red playoffs as the top seed from the East and will host a second-round game on Tuesday. As the second seed, Kailua (9-3) also has a bye and will play its first playoff game at home.
"It’s big for us to get us back some momentum after that loss to Kaimuki and demonstrate what kind of character we have," Castle coach Jon Berinobis said. "This was a tough one right here."
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Liilii, who signed with the University of Hawaii last fall, earned complete-game wins in both games of the series, which began with an 11-5 Castle victory Friday afternoon. With the quick turnaround yesterday, Berinobis said the coaching staff was mindful of the left-hander’s pitch count in the regular-season finale for both teams. She finished with an economical 71 over seven innings, allowing eight hits while keeping the Surfriders off the scoreboard until the bottom of the seventh.
"I can handle it," Liilii said of the workload. "I’m used to it because I’ve been pitching since last year. I can manage."
Liilii’s focus was such that a line drive off her right leg in the first inning barely fazed her as she worked to keep the Surfriders off balance throughout the morning.
"That was tough, that was a solid hit," Liilii conceded after the game. "That kind of stuff, if I let it get to me everything would go downhill, so I had to just block it out."
Castle went ahead with a single run in the top of the second inning and added three more in the third. Brittany Hawn sparked the rally with a leadoff double and scored on Liillii’s looping single to right. Kaisha Dacosin’s RBI ground out scored Roblyn Silva and Liilii eventually scored on a wild pitch.
Kailua junior Destinee Chang held the Knights scoreless the rest of the way and the Surfriders broke through against Liilii on Jayna Hanawahine’s RBI double in the seventh.
Although an opportunity to share the division title slipped away, Kailua coach Tamara Kaluau didn’t view the series as a lost weekend for a young Surfriders team that honored its two seniors after yesterday’s game.
"Even though we lost, I think the girls adjusted from (Friday) and they have that mind-set where coming into the playoff it’s going to be this intensity," Kaluau said.
Castle (11-1) | 013 | 000 | 0 | — | 4 | 10 | 1 |
Kailua (9-3) | 000 | 000 | 1 | — | 1 | 8 | 1 |
Leisha Liilii and Brooke Kaululaau; Destinee Chang and Sharla Kumai-Farrell. W–Liilii. L–Chang.
Leading hitters–Cas: Brittany Hawn 3-4, 2b, run; Roblyn Silva 2-4, run; Liilii, RBI; Kaisha Dacosin 3-4, 2b, RBI. Kai: Toni Damo-Agcaoili 2-3; Jayna Hanawahine 2b, RBI.
NO. 7 KAPOLEI, MILILANI SPLIT
Kacee Navarro hit a three-run home run in the top of the first as the the No. 7 Hurricanes beat the Trojans 4-1 in the first game of their doubleheader. Alysia Maddison and Joen Baker homered in the second game as the Trojans won 7-6.
At Mililani
First game
Kapolei | 300 | 001 | 0 | — | 4 | 5 | 0 |
Mililani | 100 | 000 | 0 | — | 1 | 4 | 0 |
Winona Pauline and Briana Tovio-Asato. Joen Baker and Kacie Oshiro. W–Pauline. L–Baker.
Leading hitters–Kapo: Mikela Manewa 2-4, 2b, run, RBI; Kacee Navarro 2-3, HR, 2 runs, 3 RBIs. Mil: Oshiro 2b.
Second game
Mililani | 151 | 000 | 0 | — | 7 | 8 | 0 |
Kapolei | 121 | 101 | 0 | — | 6 | 12 | 0 |
Tiare-Jay Fernandez and Areil Beaudoin; Kacee Navarro and Aimee Aipa. W–Fernandez. L–Navarro.
Leading hitters–Mil: Alysia Maddison 2-4, HR, run, 4 RBIs; Joen Baker HR, run, RBI. Kapo: Mikela Manewa 3-4, HR, 3 runs, RBI; Briana Tovio-Asato 3-4; Ashalyn Umiamaka 2-3, run.
ROOSEVELT SWEEPS KAISER
Leani Berinobis tossed two complete-game victories, scored four runs and drove in three to lead the Rough Riders to 13-1 and 10-2 victories over the Cougars.
The first game was called in the fifth inning due to the 10-run rule, with Kaiser’s lone run coming on Meagan Newman’s home run in the third.
At Stevenson Middle School
First game
Roosevelt | 501 | 16 | — | 13 | 12 | 1 |
Kaiser | 001 | 00 | — | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Leani Berinobis and Krystle Chung; Shauna Kuroiwa and Kim Dilda. W–Berinobis. L–Kuroiwa.
Leading hitters–Roos: Breyanna Dutro-Solomua 3b, 3 runs; Maho Wada RBI, run; Kamalei Pitoy 2-4, 3b, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Berinobis 2-2, 2b, 3b, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Haley Luke 2-3, 2b, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; K. Chung 2b, 2 runs, RBI; Amber Chung 2-3, 3b, 2 RBIs. Kais: Meagan Newman HR.
Second game
Kaiser | 100 | 001 | 0 | — | 2 | 6 | 2 |
Roosevelt | 220 | 501 | X | — | 10 | 14 | 4 |
Kim Dilda and Mele Adams; Leani Berinobis and Krystle Chung. W–Berinobis. L–Dilda.
Leading hitters–Kais: Shauna Kuroiwa run; Shaydon Apela-Moku 2-3; Sadie Karrati-Abordo run; Winnie Markowitz RBI. Roos: Breyanna Dutro-Solomua 4 runs; Maho Wada 3-5, 3b, run, 3 RBIs; Kamalei Pitoy 2b; Berinobis 2 runs, RBI; Brianne Leong 2-3, RBI; Amber Chung 3-4, run, RBI.
NO. 7 CAMPBELL SWEEPS WAIANAE
Nicole Arata doubled home the game-winner in the bottom of the seventh in the opener and the Sabers pushed across nine runs in the top of the first inning in the second game in a 6-4, 11-4 sweep of the Seariders.
At Campbell
First game
Waianae | 040 | 001 | 0 | — | 5 | 7 | 3 |
Campbell | 000 | 004 | 2 | — | 6 | 5 | 0 |
Piilani Keopuhiwa and Kristi Keomalu; Summer Palipti, Sharae Esprecion (6) and Kawehi Kahana, Daylene Antonio (6). W–Esprecion. L–Keopuhwa.
Leading hitters–Wai: K. Kamai 2-4; Kaley Kamaka 2-4, 2 RBIs. Cam: Nicole Arata 2b, 3 RBIs.
Second game
Campbell | 902 | 000 | 0 | — | 11 | 10 | 1 |
Waianae | 000 | 022 | 0 | — | 4 | 7 | 6 |
Sharae Esprecion , Kayce Konohia (6), Summer Palipti (7) and Daylene Antonio, Kawehi Kahana (6); Piilani Keopuhiwa, M. Seau (1) and Kristi Keomalu. W–Esprecion. L–Keopuhiwa.
Leading hitters–Cam: Palipti 2-3, 2 RBIs; Kewehi Kahana 2-4, 3 RBIs; Collette Black 2-4. Wai: Hope Tootoo 2-4; A. Hauhio 2b; K. Kauai HR, 2 RBIs.
ILH SOFTBALL
NO. 2 MID-PACIFIC 2, PAC-FIVE 1
Keiki Carlos tossed a six-hitter as the Owls edged the Wolfpack.
At Mid-Pacific
Pac-Five | 000 | 000 | 1 | — | 1 | 6 | 1 |
Mid-Pacific | 001 | 100 | x | — | 2 | 5 | 1 |
Sophia Lucza and Cassie Koja; Keiki Carlos and Kaydi Kochi. W–Carlos. L–Lucza.
Leading hitters–P5: Alena Hookano 2-3; Lucza 2b, RBI. MP: Lindsey Matoi 2-3, 2b, RBI; Tasha Luis-Hirata 2b, run.
MARYKNOLL 11, ST. FRANCIS 7
Kori Nishitomi singled home the go-ahead run and Carolann Toyama singled home two more as the Spartans rallied for four runs in the top of the eighth inning.
At Kamamalu Field
Maryknoll | 110 | 032 | 04 | — | 11 | 18 | 0 | |
St. | Francis | 050 | 002 | 00 | — | 7 | 16 | 1 |
Brianna Guro and Carolann Toyama; Brooke Langsi, Tiffany Trantham (8) and Ashley Kahapea-Wagner. W– Guro. L–Langsi.
Leading hitters–Mar: Guro 3-4, HR, run, 3 RBIs; Kori Nishitomi 4-5, 3b, 3 runs, 2 RBIs; Erica Inagaki 3-4, 2 runs; Toyama 2-5, 2 RBIs; Mieko Okimura 1-5, 2 runs, 2 RBIs. SF: Kelcee Santos 3-4, run, RBI; Nalani Antonio 3-5, RBI; Kelsie Hee 1-4, 3 RBIs; Kahapea-Wagner 2-4, run, RBI; Trantham 2-4, run; Kenedee Passos 2-4, run.
ILH
Junior varsity championships
‘Iolani 3, Mid-Pacific 2
ILH BASEBALL
KAMEHAMEHA 2, PAC-FIVE 0
Keenan Lum tossed a no-hitter and batterymate Moku Kukonu was 3-for-3 with an RBI as the Warriors shut down the Wolfpack.
Lum threw 67 pitches over seven innings and faced one batter over the minimum, hitting Ian Akamine to lead off the bottom of the sixth.
At Central Oahu Regional Park
Kamehameha | 100 | 010 | 0 | — | 2 | 7 | 0 |
Pac-Five | 000 | 000 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Keenan Lum and Moku Kukonu; Landry Kiyabu, Tyler Fujimoto (7) and Bryson Kihara. W–Lum. L–Kiyabu.
Leading hitters–Kam: Kukonu 3-3, RBI; Pookela Benanua 2b, RBI; Hoku Botelho 2b; Alii Pedrina 2b.
NO. 7 PUNAHOU 17, ST. FRANCIS 3
Reid Nomura was 3-for-4 with two RBIs, and Kevin Tongg was 2-for-4 with three RBIs as the Buffanblu dominated the Saints.
At Central Oahu Regional Park
Punahou | 282 | 05 | — | 17 | 13 | 0 |
St. Francis | 102 | 00 | — | 3 | 5 | 3 |
Matthew Tonokawa, Brant Ueki (2), Keoni Oliver (3), Mark Ogata (4), Steven Jordan Sakamo (5) and Reid Nomura; Kalei Davis, Cyrus Murakami (3) and Drew Wilson, Shawn Baptiste. W–Tonokawa. L–Davis.
Leading hitters–Pun: Kevin Tongg 2-4, 3 RBIs, run; Jason Rosen 2b, 2 runs, RBI; Ryan Reyes 2 runs, RBI; Ryan Yamane 2 runs; David Torigoe 2 RBIs, run; Peter Harris 2-3, RBI, run; Micah Yoshino 2 RBIs; Nomura 3-4, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Tyler Loui 3 RBIs, run. SF: Keha Wong 2-3, RBI.
DAMIEN 6, MARYKNOLL 3
D.J. Dudoit gave up one earned run over seven innings, striking out seven, to lead the Monarchs past the Spartans.
At Central Oahu Regional Park
Damien | 040 | 110 | 0 | — | 6 | 8 | 2 |
Maryknoll | 201 | 000 | 0 | — | 3 | 5 | 0 |
D.J. Dudoit and Alan Mohika; Layne Fujimoto, Aaron Tom (2), Matthew Yap (6) and David Nishiki. W–Dudoit. L–Fujimoto.
Leading hitters–Dam: Mohika 2b, 3 RBIs; Aalona Amimoto 2-4, 2 2bs, run; Justin Abe 2-2, RBI, run; Kamana Kealoha 2b, RBI; Jordan Murai 2 runs. Mar: Nishiki 2-4, 2b; Kyle Hirata 2b, 2 runs.
OIA BASEBALL
NO. 2 KAILUA 8, CASTLE 4
The Surfriders scored three runs in the sixth to secure the win over the Knights. Ryan McMonigle pitched the victory for Kailua.
At Kailua
Kailua | 103 | 103 | 0 | — | 8 | 7 | 1 |
Castle | 110 | 200 | 0 | — | 4 | 5 | 3 |
Ryan McMonigle, Jake Cobb-Adams (4), Royce Kometsu (7) and Kea Vierra. Dustin Nakayama and Manoa Medrano. W–McMonigle. L–Nakayama.
Leading hitters–Kai: Alan Baldwin 2-5, 2 RBIs, run; Alika Ramseyer-Ho 2 RBIs; Vierra 2-4, run. Cas: Nick Oreta 2b; Tyler Kochi 2-3, RBI.
NO. 7 PEARL CITY, AIEA SPLIT
Taylor Taliulu was 3-for-4 with two triples to lift Na Alii to a 10-7 victory and a split of a doubleheader with the Chargers. Sheldon Milan and Tanner Tokunaga drove in three runs each as Pearl City won the opener 12-3.
At Aiea
First game
Pearl City | 125 | 201 | 1 | — | 12 | 11 | 1 |
Aiea | 000 | 030 | 0 | — | 3 | 5 | 2 |
Chevas Numata, Tanner Tokunaga (5); Travis Uyeda, Brook Asher (3), Remi Davenport (4), Wyland Daguro (6), Jarin Agtang (7). W–Numata. L–Uyeda.
Leading hitters–PC: Sheldon Milan 2-5, 2b, 3b, 3 RBIs, 2 runs; Tokunaga 3-4, 2b, 3 RBIs; Numata HR; Austin Bolosan 3b, 4 runs; Issac Shim 2 runs, RBI. Aiea: Brett Tanonaka, 2 RBIs, run.
Second game
Aiea | 110 | 006 | 2 | — | 10 | 11 | 3 |
Pearl City | 201 | 202 | 0 | — | 7 | 11 | 6 |
W–Kaulana Wong. L–Tyler Tokunaga.
Leading hitters–Aiea: Brock Asher 2-3; Taylor Taliulu 3-4, 2 3bs; Wong 2-2, 2b. PC: Kai Kealoha 2-4, 2b, 3b; Chevas Numata 2-2, 2b, HR; Sheldon Milan 2-4.
LEILEHUA 10, WAIANAE 0
Cyrus Ah-Quinn struck out seven batters, and Albert Talaroc drove in four runs as the Mules shut out the Seariders in five innings.
At Central Oahu Regional Park
Waianae | 000 | 00 | — | 0 | 2 | 3 |
Leilehua | 123 | 4x | — | 10 | 7 | 0 |
Kana Kuiee, Sean Stevens (4) and Austin Reese, Clinton Kala-Mahiai (4); Cyrus Ah-Quinn, Kenan Sadanaga (5) and Aaron Higa, Ian Kaopua (5). W–Ah-Quinn. L–Kuiee.
Leading hitters–Lei: Albert Talaroc 2-3, 2b, 4 RBIs.
ROOSEVELT SWEEPS KAHUKU
Brandon Hamasaki doubled and drove in three runs as the Rough Riders rolled the Red Raiders 12-5 in the opener, then held on for a 5-4 victory in the nightcap to complete the sweep.
Evan Ramirez homered for Kahuku in the second game.
At Kahuku
First game
Roosevelt | 420 | 113 | 1 | — | 12 | 9 | 1 |
Kahuku | 203 | 000 | 0 | — | 5 | 6 | 4 |
Brandon Ikeda, Mika Caris (7) and Tyris Tominaga; Michael Sabido, Justin Van Ness (6) and Samson Mamizuka. W–Ikeda. L–Sabido.
Leading hitters–Roos: Brandon Hamasaki 2-5, 3 runs, 2b; Leland Kahooilihala 2-4, 2 runs. Kah: Hekili Graycochea 2-4, 2 runs; Sabido 2-4, 2 runs.
Second game
Kahuku | 000 | 003 | 1 | — | 4 | 6 | 2 |
Roosevelt | 102 | 020 | X | — | 5 | 6 | 1 |
Spencer Nagy and Samson Mamizuka; Edison Sakata and Mike Matsuoka. W–Sakata. L–Nagy.
Leading hitters–Kah: Hekili Graycochea 2-4, run, 2b; Michael Sabido 2-4; Evan Ramirez HR, 2 RBIs. Roos: Drayson Ito 2-2, 2 runs; Mika Caris run.
RADFORD 15, MCKINLEY 1
Troy Evans tripled and drove in four runs to power the Rams over the Tigers in five innings.
At McKinley
McKinley | 000 | 01 | — | 1 | 3 | 1 |
Radford | 554 | 1x | — | 15 | 13 | 2 |
Brian Maja, Brandon Kaneko (2), Lesley Machiguchi (3), Brendan Moy (4) and Kainoa Castillo, Moy (2) and Castillo (4); Damon Puskarich, Jobi Fontenot (2), Jesus Tenorio Jr. (3), Kea Owens (4), Troy Evans (5) and Evans, Puskarich (5). W–Tenorio Jr. L–Maja.
Leading hitters–McK: Moy 2-3, 2 2bs. Rad: Joseph Mafnas 2-2, 2 RBIs; Evans 2-3, 3b, 4 RBIs; Roscoe Kaliikane 2-2, 2b, 3 RBIs; Tenorio Jr. 2b, 3 runs.
FARRINGTON, KAIMUKI SPLIT
Pono Carroll homered as the Bulldogs earned a doubleheader split with the Governors, 13-12. In the opener, Bryston Doctolero drove home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth as Farrington won 6-5.
At Lanakila Park
First game
Kaimuki | 121 | 000 | 001 | — | 5 | 4 | 7 |
Farrington | 001 | 100 | 202 | — | 6 | 8 | 5 |
Tevin Nishiyama, Ma’anoa Tau (9) and Shawn Kitahara; Paul Reyes and Bryston Doctolero. W–Reyes. L–Tau.
Leading hitters–Kaim: Nishiyama 2b. Farr: Ryan Feagaimaalii 2-5, 2 2bs; Doctolero 2-6.
Second game
Farrington | 100 | 108 | 2 | — | 12 | 13 | 6 |
Kaimuki | 320 | 403 | 1 | — | 13 | 8 | 3 |
Bradley Parras, Ryan Feagaimaalii (3) and Bryston Doctolero, Mark Jamorabon (6); Taku Cossey, Ma’anoa Tau (4), Dallas Reis (6) and Shawn Kitahara. W–Reis. L–Feagaimaalii.
Leading hitters–Farr: Paul Reyes 4-5; Feagaimaalii 3-5, 2 3bs. Kaim: Reis 3-5; Pono Carroll 2-4, HR; Chevas Takasaki 2-4.
KALAHEO 11, WAIALAU 5
Justin Pagan, Makena Johnston, Chris Palmer and Joe Whiting drove in two runs each as the Mustangs pounded the Bulldogs.
At Kailua District Park
Waialua | 000 | 112 | 1 | — | 5 | 3 | 0 |
Kalaheo | 431 | 201 | x | — | 11 | 13 | 0 |
James Roeun and Christian Whittaker; Frank Ormonde, Alika Andres (6) and Justin Pagan. W–Ormonde. L–Roeun.
Leading hitters–Wai: Mykai Guigui 2-4; Robert Ladia HR. Kal: Andres 2-4, HR, run; Pagan 2-4, 2 RBIs; Makena Johnston 2-4, 2b, 2 RBIs; Chris Palmer 2-4, 2b, 2 RBIs; Joe Whiting 2-3, 2 RBIs.
WAIPAHU SWEEPS NANAKULI BY FORFEIT
The Golden Hawks forfeited a scheduled doubleheader to the Marauders.
CORRECTION» Bryston Doctolero drove home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth as Farrington High School beat Kaimuki High 6-5 in the opener of a doubleheader Saturday. A Page C8 brief Sunday reported that Doctolero drove home the winning run for Kaimuki. |