Just about the last thing Campbell coach David Perreira wanted to see was Leisha Liilii coming to the plate in the bottom of the seventh inning with runners on base.

The Castle slugger had already homered in yesterday’s semifinal game in the OIA Red softball playoffs. Now she was back with the Knights trailing by two in the bottom of the seventh with runners on first and third and nobody out.

Campbell reliever Sharae Esprecion kept her in the park, although Liilii’s flyball to left did cut the Sabers’ lead to one. She then got the next two outs to close out a 7-6 victory yesterday at Central Oahu Regional Park.

“That’s Sharae, she’s a gamer,” Perreira said. “She wants the ball when the game is on the line. Since her freshman year she’s made the plays when we needed it.”

The Sabers, the reigning Division I state champions, took a 7-3 lead into the seventh before giving up three runs. But they stopped the Knights’ rally just in time to earn a spot in tonight’s OIA Red championship game.

Castle, the top seed from the Red East, was seeking a return to the OIA final for the second straight year, but will close the tournament in the third-place game.

“We put ourselves in a good position to win it right there, just couldn’t get it done. It was good pitching,” Castle coach Jon Berinobis said. “We’re always there (in the OIA tournament), just can’t get over. We still have state to try for and we’ll see what we can do there.”

Esprecion’s relief work preserved the win for Campbell starter Summer Palipti, who kept Castle off balance for most of the first six innings.

Campbell took a 3-1 lead in the second inning on Esprecion’s two-run double before Castle tied it in the third on Liilii’s two-run homer to right.

The Sabers reclaimed the lead in the fourth when Palipti doubled and Kawehi Kahana followed with an RBI single. With two out and two on, Kayce Konohia slammed a homer to center field to give the Sabers a 7-3 lead.

“Kayce’s come on strong,” Perreira said. “She wasn’t a starter in the beginning, but through her constant hard work her belief that, ‘one day I’m going to get in the lineup and I’m going to make the most of it,’ she’s been hitting the ball good the last five or six games. And for her to come up big was huge.”

The homer provided just enough cushion for the Sabers. Castle’s first two hitters of the seventh walked and Christin Tesoro scored on Brittany Hawn’s single. After Esprecion came in to pitch, Roblyn Silva singled for another run and Liilii followed with her sacrifice fly with the Sabers trying to stay away from her power.

“We were trying to walk her,” Perreira said. “But she has a long reach and got it out there but we got the out.”

Esprecion then induced a popup and a ground out to strand the tying run on first.

“I felt like it was my job to clutch up and keep the runners from scoring,” Esprecion said. “After they scored I just kept my posture and did what I had to do.”

At Central Oahu Regional Park

Summer Palipti, Sharae Esprecion (7) and Kawehi Kahana, Daylene Antonio (7). Leisha Liilii and Brooke Kaululaau. W–Palipti. L–Liilii. S–Esprecion.
Leading hitters–Camp: Esprecion, 2b, 2 RBIs; Palipti, 2-4, 2b; Kahana, RBI; Kayce Konohia, HR, 3 RBIs. Cast: Roblyn Silva, 3-3, RBI; Liilii, HR, 3 RBIs; Kaisha Dacosin, 3b, RBI; Marnee Vlachos, 2b.

Kailua 3, Mililani 2
Destinee Chang scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the eighth inning to send the Surfriders into today’s 7 p.m. OIA Red championship game at CORP.

Mililani led 2-0 going into the bottom of the sixth inning before Kailua catcher Sharla Kumai-Farrell hit a two-run double into the right-center gap to tie the game.

After a scoreless seventh, Chang reached on an infield single with two out in the bottom of the eighth. She went to third on Kumai-Farrell’s single to right and came in on the wild pitch to Mahina Turner.

Kailua pitcher Shealee Koki held Mililani, the defending OIA Red champion, to three hits in a complete-game victory.

Mililani will play at Castle in the third-place game at 3:30 p.m.

At Central Oahu Regional Park

Joen Baker, Alysia Maddison (5) and Kacie Oshiro. Shealee Koki and Sharla Kumai-Farrell. W–Koki. L–Maddison.
Leading hitters–Mil: Toni Baysa, 1-2, RBI; Chesary Silva, 1-2, RBI. Kail: Toni Damo-Agcaoili, 2-3, run; Destinee Chang, 2-3, 2 runs; Kumai-Farrell, 3-4, 2b, 2 RBIs.

No. 4 Kapolei 9, No. 9 Waianae 5
Mikla Manewa homered and drove in two runs as the Hurricanes beat the Seariders to qualify for the state tournament.

At Kapolei

Piilani Keopuhiwa, Maele Seau (1), Keopuhiwa (4) and Kristi Keomalu; Kacee Navarro and Briana Tovio-Asato. W–Navarro. L–Keopuhiwa.
Leading hitters-Wain: Tiana Hensley 2b, 2 RBIs; A. Hauhio HR, 2 runs; Kaley Kamaka 2b, RBI. Kapo: Mikela Manewa 2-4, HR, 2 runs; Navarro 2-4; Ashalyn Umiamaka 2-3, 2b, 2 RBIs; Lauren Asato 2 RBIs; Rachel Mckean 2 runs; Cheyenne Gishi 2 runs.

Leilehua 7, Pearl City 5
The Mules edged the Chargers to qualify for the state tournament and will face fourth-ranked Kapolei in the OIA fifth-place game today.

Tiffany Abear led Leilehua with a triple and two runs, while Keani Passi homered and drove in two runs for Pearl City. Meagan Tupinio was the winning pitcher.

At Pearl City

Meagan Tupinio and Jasmine Villegas. Sella Rodriguez, Cydny Rivera (4), Rodriguez (6) and Maya Nagata. W–Tupinio. L–Rivera.
Leading hitters–Lei: Tupinio 2-4; Chenoa Au 2-5, 2 runs, 2b; Krystin Kubo 2-3; Kyla Larson 2b, 2 RBIs; Tiffany Abear 3-4, 3b, 2 runs; Ashley McKeown 2-3. PC: Nagata 2-4; Keani Passi HR, 2 RBIs.

OIA WHITE SOFTBALL

Kahuku 9, Waialua 4
The Red Raiders cranked out two home runs to defeat the Bulldogs and advance to the OIA White championship game.

Aiyana Apia and Kylee Leong homered for Kahuku, while Althia Dicion hit one for Waialua.

At Kahuku

Chelsey Souza and Alyssiah Hernandez. Pitisi Tualau and Kasey Cappian. W–Tualau. L–Souza.
Leading hitters–Wail: Althia Dicion HR. Kah: Kalynn Latu 2b; Aiyana Apia HR; Kylee Leong HR.

Waipahu 9, Kalaheo 1
Waipahu’s Nala Viliamu went 3-for-4 with two homers and three RBIs as the Marauders beat the Mustangs in an OIA White semifinal.

Waipahu will face Kahuku today for the league title at Central Oahu Regional Park, while Kalaheo will play Waialua for third place.

At Waipahu

Teone Mahoe and Janica Dement. A.J. Miranda and Angie Sakamoto. W–Miranda. L–Mahoe.
Leading hitters–Waip: Sakamoto 2-4; Tali Viliamu 1-4, 2 RBIs; Nala Viliamu 3-4, two HRs, 3 RBIs; Tami Viliamu 2-3, RBI; Kimi Kaniaupio 2-3.

ILH SOFTBALL

No. 2 Punahou 7, No. 1 Mid-Pacific 6
Kylie Popovich doubled up the middle and brought in Reina Furuya with the winning run as the Buffanblu beat the Owls.

Punahou trailed 6-3 going into the bottom of the sixth, but racked up four runs to secure the win. Mid-Pacific will face Punahou again in the ILH Division I championship on Wednesday at Punahou field at 4 p.m.

At Punahou

Kayla Au, Tori Hamura (6), Au (6) and Kaydi Kochi. Kuupuamaeole Kiyuna, Tai Manu-Olevao (6) and Kayla Shimoda. W–Kiyuna. L–Au.
Leading hitters–MPI: Tasi Docktor 2-4, 2b; Jordan Joy 2-4, 2b; Gabrielle Hollinger 2-3. Pun: Reina Furuya 2-3, 2b, 2 RBIs; Shimoda 2-4; Arianna Hashimoto 2-3, 2b, RBI.

BASEBALL

Saint Louis wins ILH title

Derek Nakasato batted 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two runs batted in to lead No. 1 Saint Louis over ‘Iolani 11-1 to capture the Interscholastic League of Honolulu title yesterday at Ala Wai Field.

The Crusaders improved to 15-2 with a game left against ‘Iolani, which is 9-8.

At Ala Wai Community Park

Chase Wayton, Dane Arakawa (1), Eland Tsubata (3) and Tiras Koon. Kaeo Aliviado and Iolana Akau. W–Aliviado. L–Wayton.
Leading hitters–Iol: Jensen Park 2b, RBI. StL: Derek Nakasato 3-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Travis Shaw 2-3, 3 RBIs, run; Dallas Tuumalo 3b, 2 RBIs; Issac Ramboyon 3b; Kalei Contrades 2 runs, RBI.

No. 6 Punahou 8, No. 4 Mid-Pacific 7
Michael Suiter homered and drove in three runs to power the Buffanblu (11-6) over the Owls (13-4).

Mid-Pacific will receive the second and final ILH berth in the state tournament. Seven-time defending champion Punahou was eliminated from state play with a loss to Mid-Pacific on Tuesday. The two teams play again Saturday.

At Ala Wai Community Park

Daniel Fentriss, Kelly Meguro (2), Brent Sakurai (5) and Dane Fujinaka; David Torigoe, Dylan Combs (3), Nathan Higa (7) and Kainoa Harrison. W–Combs. L–Meguro.
Leading hitters–MP: Travis Garcia 3-4, 2b, 3 RBIs, run; Cy Higashi 3-4, RBI, run; Marcus Doi 2 runs; Ryne Saiki 2 runs. Pun: Ryan Yamane 3-4, RBI, run; Michael Suiter 2-2, HR, 3 RBIs, run; Micah Yoshino 2-2, run.

OIA RED PLAYOFFS

No. 5 Moanalua 8, Leilehua 1
Senior right-hander Bronson Shim scattered five hits to lead Na Menehune past the Mules.

Ross Hasegawa batted 2-for-4 as Moanalua scored runs in the first four innings to take a 6-0 lead.

At Moanalua

Larry Paas, Joshua Lorenzo (6) and Bono Higa, Ian Kaopua (4). Bronson Shim and Brandon Kong. W–Shim. L–Paas.
Leading hitters–Lei: Bono Higa 2-3. Moan: Ross Hasegawa 2-4; Tim Arakawa 3b, RBI; James Higa 2b; Miles Higa 3b, RBI.

No. 8 Mililani 3, Campbell 0
The Trojans scored all three runs in the second inning and held on to beat the Sabers and advance to the OIA Red semifinals.

Shanztyn Agbayani-Shibao hit a double in the bottom of the second to spark Mililani’s offense, while Mikey Asamura struck out eight Campbell batters.

The Trojans will take on Moanalua at 3:30 p.m. today at Mililani field.

At Mililani

Pookela Kaalekahi and Kaeo Kapana. Mikey Asamura and Wade Taoka. W–Asamura. L–Kaalekahi. Leading hitters–Camp: Kaalekahi 2b; Jaris Flora 2b. Mil: Shanztyn Agbayani-Shibao 2-3, run, 2b.

No. 2 Kailua 14, Kapolei 8
Kila Zuttermeister drove in three runs with a pair of doubles and a home run as the Surfriders qualified for the state tournament by outscoring the Hurricanes in the quarterfinals of the OIA Red tournament.

Kailua hosts Pearl City in the semifinals today at 3:30 p.m. Pearl City beat Roosevelt 12-6 yesterday.

Kapolei plays Roosevelt 3:30 p.m. at Stevenson field.

At Kailua

Jarin Kadooka, Joshua Simmons (3), Brandon Cambra (3), Chase Domogsac (4) and William Leskovec; Ryan McMonigle, Bryson Dymond (4), Alika Ramseyer-Ho (6) and Kea Vierra. W–McMonigle. L–Kadooka.
Leading hitters–Kapo: Lonnie Santiago 3-4, 3b, 2 runs; Trey Kamachi 2-5, 2b, 3 runs; Robert Depp 3 RBIs, 2 runs. Kail: McMonigle 2-5, 2b, 4 RBIs, 3 runs; Kila Zuttermeister 4-5, 2 2bs, HR, 2 RBIs, 3 runs; Dymond 2b, 2 runs; Eli Davidann 2 runs.

OIA WHITE PLAYOFFS

Radford 7, Kaimuki 2
The Rams erupted for four runs on five hits and a sacrifice fly in the first inning to beat the Bulldogs in the first round of the OIA White tournament.

Radford will play Kalaheo in the semifinals at 3:30 p.m. today at Kailua Intermediate field.

At Radford

Tevin Nishiyama and Shawn Kitahara. Jobi Fontenot, Austin Jackson (5) and Troy Evans. W–Fontenot. L–Nishiyama.
Leading hitters–Kaim: Pono Carroll 2b. Rad: Jesus Tenorio Jr. 2-4, 3b, 2 RBIs; Jackson 2-4; Fontenot 3-4, 2 RBIs; Joseph Mafnas 2-3; Kea Owens 2-3; Damon Puskarich 2-3.

Waialua 7, Farrington 4
Christian Whittaker batted 2-for-4 and drove in three runs as the Bulldogs held onto an early 5-0 lead to defeat the Governors.

Waialua will travel to face Waipahu, the no. 1 seed in the West, today at 3:30 p.m.

At Joey DeSa Field

Justin Tantog, Kekai Rivera-Albeso (6) and Christian Whittaker. Bryston Doctolero and Paul Reyes. W–Tantog. L–Doctolero.
Leading hitters–Wail: Whittaker 2-4, 3 RBIs; Matthew Abad 2-4, RBI. Farr: Lester Calarro 2-3, 2 RBIs.

Wednesday

Campbell 10, Kaiser 0
Robert Kahana pitched a two-hitter, and batted 3-for-4 with a double, three RBIs and three runs scored as the Sabers beat the Cougars on Wednesday night in the first round of the OIA Red Conference baseball tournamnent.

At Central Oahu Regional Park

Robert Kahana and Chadwick Ka’alekahi. Austin Ortega, Kaipo Oamilda-Scholtz (3), Jordan Alcoran (NA) and Makana Lyman. W–Kahana. L–Ortega.
Leading hitters–Camp: Donato Gallano 2-3, 2B, 2 runs; Kahana 3-4, 2B, 3 runs, 3 RBIs; Kaalekahi 2 RBIs; Cole Nagamine 2-2, 2 2Bs; Sau Momoe 3B.