Nanakuli had to wait a long time to capture its first Oahu Interscholastic Association softball title.
The Golden Hawks sure made it known Friday that their time finally has arrived.
Every Nanakuli starter scored at least one run and the Golden Hawks drew eight walks in a five-inning 12-2 rout of Kalaheo in the final of the OIA White Conference tournament at Central Oahu Regional Park.
"I’m really proud for the community, proud for the kids, proud for the parents," said Nanakuli coach Ricky Gusman. "I’m just overwhelmed with joy."
Nanakuli’s Alexis Meyers batted 2-for-2 with a double and three runs scored, and Kelcie Gilman tripled and scored twice.
Five of the Nanakuli players who drew walks came around to score.
"I told the kids you need to recognize your pitch early and when you do recognize it, jump on it," Gusman said. "We made their pitchers throw a lot of pitches. We were going to swing at one location, one spot."
The first OIA softball tournament was held in 1977, and the league split into Red (Division I) and White (Division II) conferences in 2004.
"It’s great because none of these girls had ever accomplished this," said Nanakuli’s Chyanne Koko, who allowed four hits and struck out five. "We’re very happy about winning the championship."
There was nothing easy about Nanakuli’s run to the tournament title. The Golden Hawks, the West’s No. 3 team, had to win at East runner-up Kahuku, at West champion Waipahu and against East champion Kalaheo at a neutral site.
Nanakuli scored six runs in the top of the third for a
7-0 lead. Koko drew a bases-loaded walk, Katherine Aiwohi had an RBI single, Koko scored on a passed ball and two more runners scored on a fielding error.
The Golden Hawks added two more in the fourth for a 9-0 advantage.
The Mustangs got a two-run homer by Venise Elisara in the fourth, but the Golden Hawks scored three in the fifth.
Nanakuli, Kalaheo, Waipahu and Waialua will represent the OIA in the state Division II tournament to be held May 2-5.
At Waialua
| Nanakuli |
106 |
23 |
– |
12 |
9 |
5 |
| Kalaheo |
000 |
20 |
– |
2 |
4 |
0 |
Chyanne Koko and Kehau Silva. Sarah Fitzherbert, Mahina Turner (3) and Janica Dement. W-Koko. L-Fitzherbert.
Leading hitters-Nanakuli: Alexis Meyers 2-2, 2b, 3 runs; Precious Meyers 2-4; Kelcie Gilman 3b, 2 runs; Kehau Silva 2b. Kalaheo: Venise Elisara two-run homer.
THIRD PLACE
Waipahu 12, Waialua 2
