Most of the year, they’re teammates.

Yesterday, freshmen Kamalani Dung and Shearyna Labasan were opposing aces in a pitchers duel, and Dung struck out eight as No. 6 Kamehameha cooled off Maryknoll 1-0 in 10 innings.

Kaya Naiwi’s one-out, bases-loaded line drive single to center brought home Fahren Glackin with the winning run to end the dual shutout bids by the talented young hurlers.

“Previous at-bats, she says she doesn’t like the first pitch, but I like to tell them to be patiently aggressive,” coach Aloha Yamaguchi said. “Kaya’s a great hitter, and she showed it. As long as they believe, they can do it to win.”

Kamehameha (10-2) remained in a three-way tie atop the Interscholastic League of Honolulu with Punahou and Mid-Pacific. Maryknoll (4-7) saw its three-game win streak come to a halt despite a hearty performance by Labasan. The right-hander painted the outside corner from start to finish, nibbling her way to a feast against a Kamehameha lineup that amassed 32 runs in its last four games. She scattered 10 hits, struck out three and walked just one.

Five of Maryknoll’s losses have come by one run.

“This won’t affect us. We’ll come back stronger,” Labasan said. “Kamehameha executed and that’s what we have to do.”

Dung permitted just four hits for the shutout, whiffing eight and walking three. Dung and Labasan are teammates in the offseason with Po‘okela softball club.

“I have to make sure my spins work more than my speed. My riser was working pretty good, my screwball and curve, everything was working,” she said.

“We knew they’d come out hard. They’re on a high right now, but we’re on a high, too,” Dung added, referring to a 4-3 win over Mid-Pacific over the weekend. “Our team is coming together and the defense is working.”

The Spartans had been on a roll after a 1-6 start, posting wins over Punahou, St. Francis and ‘Iolani. With five regular-season games left and just two automatic state-tournament berths in the ILH, Maryknoll’s best shot will probably come in the playoff tourney. That winner will claim the league’s third state berth.

Kamehameha broke the scoreless battle after Glackin and Dung reached base with singles. After they advanced a base on a wild pitch, Hipa was intentionally walked to load the bases. Naiwi then lined the first pitch to right-center, ending the game.

“They brought their outfield in, so I figured if I touch the ball, a runner could score and we only needed one,” Naiwi said. “I just wanted to make my team happy.”

It was the second time in two meetings that Kamehameha won by a 1-0 score.

“We had runners on every inning. We just had to capitalize on it. I knew it would come down to that one hit,” Yamaguchi said. “(Labasan) works the corners well. She’s been doing well. Kama finds a way to keep her composure. She’s a strong girl offensively, defensively, pitching. No matter where she is, she does a lot.”

The Buffanblu scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh to come back and defeat the Saints.
The winning run was scored on a wild pitch as St. Francis attempted to load the bases with an intentional walk.

Keiki Carlos pitched a one-hit shutout to carry the Owls over the Raiders.
Carlos struck out five and added a double.

The Wolfpack jumped to an early lead to defeat the Wolverines.
Pac-Five’s Anuhea Memea hit a home run and a double to lead the Wolfpack’s offense.

Dori Ann Sugai slammed a homer in the second inning to lift Na Menehune over the Cougars.
Moanalua’s Leisha Yamauchi pitched a complete game.