Campbell is back in contention.
Kayce Konohia forced Kylie Popovich to ground to short with the bases loaded and Campbell beat Punahou 4-2 in the semifinals of the DataHouse/HHSAA Softball State Championships at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium on Thursday.
The Sabers won the state championship two years ago and bowed out in the first round last year.
Konohia wasn’t going to take a trip to the semifinals the cheap way, challenging Punahou’s best hitter, Mysha Sataraka, with runners on first and second and one out with a two-run lead. Sataraka hit Konohia’s second pitch deep but foul down the right-field line and whiffed on her fourth offering. That was enough danger for one night. Konohia then walked her, the fourth free pass Sataraka got in four trips to the plate.
"Our plan was to walk her; we know how she hits," Konohia said. "I was being careful, but she really wanted to hit."
With the bases loaded, Pua Fujinaga hit a hard ground ball to short that Tiana Rosario fielded and threw home for the force. After a collision between catcher Tiana Ulufale and Punahou’s Kaylin Okuma, Campbell had two outs. Popovich’s ground ball followed and Campbell returned to the final four. The Sabers play Kamehameha today at 5.
"Kamehameha is a tough team," Campbell coach Michael Hermosura said. "But if we can keep our intensity and take it one game at a time, we will do fine."
Jaci Young cruised through the first three innings, needing just 30 pitches and stranding a runner each inning. But Campbell caught up with the righty in the fourth, forcing her to throw 31 pitches and scoring three runs on three hits.
Tayler Ho’ohuli and Nashlyn Anguay started the inning with successive singles and Ho’ohuli tied it when Daylene Antonio bunted but first baseman Vanessa Vaa threw the ball into right field. Anguay got greedy and was thrown out from right field trying to score from first. Campbell built another rally and scored its third run when Jessica Arata drove in Ulufale with a single.
Reina Furuya got one back for Punahou in the top of the fifth with a blast halfway up the netting in left field. Antonio gave Campbell insurance in the bottom of the sixth, drilling a homer to center for a 4-2 lead.
At Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium
| Pun. (15-5) |
100 |
010 |
0 |
— |
2 |
4 |
1 |
| Cam. (12-5) |
000 |
301 |
x |
— |
4 |
7 |
0 |
Jaci Young and Kylie Popovich. Kacey Konohia and Kiana Ulufale. W–Konohia. L–Young.
Leading hitters–Punahou: Reina Furuya HR. Campbell: Jessica Arata 2-2, 2b, RBI; Daylene Antonio HR; Konohia 2b.
Kamehameha 17, Lahainaluna 5
Kaya Naiwa doubled, homered and drove in four runs to power the Warriors past the No. 3-seeded Lunas.
Brandi-Lei Smith was 4-for-5, Christine Hipa 3-for-5 and winning pitcher Kamalani Dung 3-for-5 as Kamehameha got 17 hits.
Lahainaluna plays Punahou at 11 a.m. today in a consolation game.
At Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium
| KS (15-3) |
010 |
333 |
7 |
— |
17 |
17 |
2 |
| Lah. (13-2) |
300 |
020 |
0 |
— |
5 |
5 |
2 |
Kamalani Dung and Rachel Ogasawara. Hope Morikawa, Brenna Nakamua (4), Morikawa (7), Ceidilee Norbriga (7) and Jessica Wallace. W–Dung. L–Morikawa.
Leading hitters–Kamehameha: Kaya Naiwi 2-5, 2b, HR, 4 RBIs; Brandi-Lei Smith 4-5, 2b, 2 RBIs; Christine Hipa 3-5, 3 2b, 3 RBIs; Dung 3-5; Fahren Glackin 2-3, 2 RBIs; Maelia Zablan 2-3, HR; Nohea Keaunui-Gould 2b; Reyna Ae 2b. Lahainaluna: Wallace 2-4, HR, 4 RBIs; Morikawa 2-4; Haley Nakamua 2b.
Mid-Pacific 5, Waianae 4
Senior Keiki Carlos tossed a four-hitter and sophomore Kiley Oeda homered as the top-seeded Owls held off the Seariders. Mid-Pacific advances to a semifinal game with Kapolei at 7 p.m. today. Waianae plays Hilo at 9 a.m. in consolation.
At Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium
| Wai. (11-7) |
000 |
110 |
2 |
— |
4 |
4 |
4 |
| MPI (15-2) |
010 |
121 |
x |
— |
5 |
5 |
0 |
Raelene Diorec and Kristy Keomalu. Keiki Carlos and Nicole Lopez. W–Carlos. L–Diorec.
Leading hitters–Waianae: Leana Meyer 2b. Mid-Pacific: Kacy Aoki 2-3, 2b; Kiley Oeda HR; Gabi Hollinger 2b.
Kapolei 14, Hilo 0
Kacee Navarro tossed a five-inning 1-hitter and went 3-for-3, driving in three runs, to lead the Hurricanes over the No. 4-seeded Vikings.
At Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium
| Kap. (14-3) |
301 |
55 |
— |
14 |
13 |
0 |
| Hilo (13-5) |
000 |
00 |
— |
0 |
1 |
9 |
Kacee Navarro and Aimee Aipa. Ashlyn Kaneshiro and Aliesa Kaneshiro. W–Navarro. L–Kaneshiro.
Leading hitters–Kapolei: Aipa 2-3, 2b, HR, 3 RBIs; Navarro 3-3, 2b, 3 RBIs; Stacia-Al Mahoe 3-3, 3 2b; Winona Pauline 2-2, 2b, RBI; Mikela Manewa 2-4, 2b, RBI. Hilo: Ashlyn Kaneshiro 2b.
DIVISION I CONSOLATION
Kailua 7, Baldwin 2
At Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium
| Bald. (11-6) |
011 |
000 |
0 |
— |
2 |
6 |
0 |
| Kai. (12-6) |
010 |
501 |
x |
— |
7 |
5 |
0 |
Alysha Sakamura, Alyssa Ariyoshi (5) and Kylie Rose Dickson. Shaydon Apela-Moku, Shealee Koki (4) and Sharla Kumai-Farrell. W–Koki. L–Sakamura.
Leading hitters–Baldwin: Lillyan Bermudez 2-3, 2b; Kamalani Eldredge HR. Kailua: Destinee Chang grand slam; Kumai-Farrell 2-3; Teah Kauhi 2b.
Mililani 17, Moanalua 0
At Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium
| Mil. (12-4) |
322 |
64 |
— |
17 |
16 |
0 |
| Moa. (12-7) |
000 |
00 |
— |
0 |
1 |
4 |
Joen Baker and Nicole Cox. Cyanne Fernandez, Ariel Ajimura (1), Kellye Sprinstead (3) and Chrissi Omalza, Dori Ann Sugai (3). W–Baker. L–Fernandez.
Leading hitters–Mililani: Baker 2-3, HR, 6 RBIs; Chesarey Silva 3-3, 2 2b, 3 RBIs; Cox 2-3, 2b, HR; Jade Yadao-Valdez 2-4, RBI; Kylyn Sakaue 2b.
DIVISION II SOFTBALL
Waimea 12, Waipahu 8
Junior Gaylan Matagiese clubbed three home runs and drove in six runs to carry the top-seeded Menehunes over the Marauders.
Waimea plays Kalaheo at 3 p.m. today in the semifinals.
Waipahu plays Lanai at 5 p.m. today at CORP field 1.
At Central Oahu Regional Park
| Waim. (13-0) |
321 |
014 |
0 |
— |
12 |
11 |
3 |
| Waip. (12-2) |
100 |
003 |
4 |
— |
8 |
11 |
4 |
Deannalyn Tafiti and Taylor Ephan. Tali Viliamu and Shandell Palencia. W–Tafiti. L–Viliamu.
Leading hitters–Waimea: Krysta Kali HR, 3 RBIs; 3 runs; Gaylan Matagiese 3-4, 3 HRs, 6 RBIs; Tafiti 2-3; Taylor Ephan 2-2. Waipahu: Jacquline Lehano 2-2; Shevan DeFreitas 3-4, 2 HRs, 5 RBIs, 2 runs; Kylie Nishino 2-4, HR, 2 RBIs, 2 runs.
Kalaheo 6, Lanai 2
Sarah Fitzherbert-Velasco and relief pitcher Mahina Turner struck out six each as the Mustangs defeated the Pine Lasses.
At Central Oahu Regional Park
| Lanai (8-4) |
011 |
000 |
0 |
— |
2 |
4 |
4 |
| KalH. (12-4) |
040 |
002 |
x |
— |
6 |
7 |
1 |
Kahelelani Zablan and Megan Amby. Sarah Fitzherbert-Velasco, Mahina Turner (6) and Janica Dement. W–Fitzherbert-Velasco. L–Zablan.
Leading hitters–Lanai: Zablan 2-3, 2b; Maile Herolaga 2b. Kalaheo: Fitzherbert-Velasco 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Tuiai Elisara 2b; Tiana Cocker 2-4; Venise Elisara 2b.
At Central Oahu Regional Park
Nanakuli 11, Waialua 10
Precious Paulo-Meyers batted 2-for-4 with a double and three RBIs, and Alexis Paulo-Meyers scored three runs as the No. 2-seeded Golden Hawks outslugged the Bulldogs. Nanakuli will play Kauai at 1 p.m. in a semifinal at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
At Central Oahu Regional Park
| Nan. (10-5) |
201 |
430 |
1 |
— |
11 |
11 |
3 |
| Wai. (10-5) |
100 |
502 |
2 |
— |
10 |
10 |
2 |
Chyanne Koko and Kehaulani Silva. Sabrina Tolentino and Gabby Maxwell. W–Koko. L–Tolentino.
Leading hitters–Nana: Alexis Paulo-Meyers 2-5, 2b, 3 runs; Lauren Ku 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Precious Paulo-Meyers 2-4, 2b, 2 runs, 3 RBIs; Kelcie Gilman 2-4, 2 2b, 2 runs; Koko 3-4, 3b, 2 RBIs. Waial: Nicole Verdadero 2 runs; Charee Wong 2 runs; Kaili Agabin 2-5, 2b, 3 runs; Ciara Balidoy 4 RBIs; Maxwell 3b; Kiara Kamakea 2-4.
Kauai 12, KS-Hawaii 2
Daeja Cummings was 4-for-4 with a home run, four RBIs and four runs scored as the Red Raiders stopped the third-seeded Warriors.
At Central Oahu Regional Park
| KS-H (8-10) |
000 |
110 |
— |
2 |
4 |
0 |
| Kauai (8-6) |
302 |
142 |
— |
12 |
12 |
0 |
Kiana Wong and Gayla-Ha Cabebe. Ka’a La’amea and Moana Waipa. W–La’amea. L–Wong.
Leading hitters–KS-Hawaii: none. Kauai: Kyana Hirokane 2-4, RBI, 2 runs; Daeja Cummings 4-4, HR, 4 RBIs, 4 runs; Karlyee Malapit 3-3, 3 RBIs.
DIVISION II CONSOLATION
Kohala 6, Honokaa 2
At Central Oahu Regional Park
| Honokaa (8-9) |
|
002 |
|
000 |
— |
2 |
4 |
4 |
| Kohala (11-5) |
|
120 |
|
201 |
— |
6 |
7 |
1 |
Hailey Paglinawan and Kayla Raquelman. Chayler Imai and Tomiko Coito. W–Imai. L–Paglinawan.
Leading hitters–Hono: none. Kohala: Jordelle Antonio 2 RBI; Casey Utemei 2b; Ashlyn Van Zandt 2-3, 2b, 2 RBIs, 3 runs.
St. Francis 16, Hana 0
At Central Oahu Regional Park
| St. Francis (8-10) |
762 |
1 |
— |
16 |
13 |
0 |
| Hana (8-5) |
000 |
0 |
— |
0 |
5 |
2 |
Brooke Langsi and Kelsie Hee. Jaynalee Hoopai and Shalen-Brae Hoopai. W–Langsi. L–J. Hoopai.
Leading hitters–St. Francis: Nalani Antonio 2-3, 3 RBIs, 2 runs; Hee HR, 3 RBIs; Ashley Kahapea-Wagner 3 runs; Shaila Fernandez 3-4, 2 runs; Langsi 2b, 3 runs; Britney Paranada 2 runs. Hana: none.
