When you’re this good, bordering on greatness, it’s not hard to make a good team like ‘Iolani struggle.
Top-ranked Kamehameha, riding a no-hit bid by ace Kamalani Dung, cruised to a 13-0 win over No. 8 ‘Iolani on a cool, overcast afternoon at Ala Wai Community Park.
“It was a great all-around team win. We like to say one at a time, focus on one game at a time, one practice at a time. It’s a process,” coach Aloha Yamaguchi said. “Kama came out hard and she knows the game well. She can find a way to keep her momentum and confidence in whatever situation she’s in.”
The Warriors picked up their seventh win without a loss in ILH play, all behind the fireballing sophomore, Dung. She struck out five and walked three, taking a no-hitter into the bottom of the fifth. The No. 9 hitter in the lineup, Karley Devens, smacked a 3-1 pitch to center field to end the no-hit try.
“It was cool today. It was nice,” Dung said. “The other team was just sticking the bat out there, but our defense was good today. The screw was working good. So was my curve. The riser, that’s what I got lots of girls (with) today. It was all right today, on and off. Our team is tight and jelling. I feel good about them.”
The young Raiders (3-4), who have three seniors on the roster, had a runner in scoring position in the first and fifth innings. They got the ball out of the infield just twice — on Devens’ single and Jacy Watanabe’s fly out in the second.
The Warriors were patient at the plate against three ‘Iolani pitchers. Christine Hipa and cleanup hitter Ateisha Norton, a first-year varsity player, socked back-to-back homers in a five-run fourth inning that gave the visitors an 11-0 lead.
Norton went 4-for-4 with a homer, double, three RBIs and two runs. Hipa, one of eight returnees, finished
2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
“Our kids understand the better team dominated today. The way I look at it, the only time we have to beat them is at states,” ‘Iolani coach Corey Okamura said. “There’s no reason to panic.”
Kamehameha reached starting pitcher Taylor Garcia-Perreira for three runs in the top of the first inning, sparked by a run-scoring single by Norton. Maelia Zablan’s single to left triggered a two-run second inning for the Warriors, who got another RBI single from Norton.
At Ala Wai Community Park
Kamehameha (7-0) 321 52 — 13 14 0
‘Iolani (3-4) 000 00 — 0 1 1
Kamalani Dung and Rachel Ogasawara. Taylor Garcia-Perreira, Robi Kodama (2), Vevesi Liilii (4) and Cassie Ho. W—Dung. L—Garcia-Perreira.
Leading hitters—Kamehameha: Katelyn Mahelona 3-4, 3 runs; Christine Hipa 2-3, HR, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Ateisha Norton 4-4, HR, double, 3 RBIs, 2 runs.
Maryknoll, West Pac suspended
Monday’s game between the Spartans and Wolverines was suspended in the fifth inning following a dispute among coaches and umpires. Maryknoll, the home team, was leading 4-0 at the end of 41⁄2 innings. If or when the game will resume has yet to be determined.
St. Francis 10, Pac-Five 9
Danielle Antolin scored the winning run on a sacrifice fly by Kaitlin Santos as the Saints rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh to top the Wolfpack.
At Kamamaku Park
Pac-5 (0-6) 500 010 3 — 9 5 2
SF (3-3) 022 202 2 — 10 14 6
Kaleihiwa Ah New and Kailee Russell. Rachel Carlos and Kelsie Hee. W—Carlos. L—Ah New.
Leading hitters—Pac-5: Shazzareign Nakoa-Chung HR, 2 RBIs. St. Francis: Danielle Antolin 2-5, 2 runs; Rachel Carlos 2-3, 2 RBIs, 2 runs, HR, 2b; Ashley Kahapea-Wagner 2-3, 2 runs, 2b; Resela Vili 3b; Kenedee Passos 2-4; Taiana Creekmur 2-3, HR.
No. 9 Mid-Pacific 6,
Sacred Hearts 5
Taylor Oda singled home the tying run, and the winning run scored when Oda drew the throw advancing to second as the Owls rallied for five runs in the bottom of the seventh to stun the Lancers.
At Mid-Pacific
SH (2-4) 300 110 0 — 5 8 1
MPI (4-2) 100 000 5 — 6 8 3
Jordyn Waracka, Kaua Huihui-Awa (7) and Jamie Toler. Kayla Au and Nicole Lopez. W—Au. L—NA.
Leading hitters—SH: Tori Nakashima 2-4, 2 runs; Nichelle Chang 2-3, HR, 2b. MPI: Jenna Kumabe 2-3, 2 runs; Nicole Lopez 2-4; Taylor Oda 2-4, 2b; Sarah Onishi 2 RBIs.
OIA red west
No. 2 Mililani 6, Kapolei 5
Karly Macadangdang plated Kylie Bello with a one-out single in the bottom of the seventh inning, capping a three-run rally, as the Trojans withstood the Hurricanes.
At Mililani
Kapolei (3-4) 022 000 1 — 5 11 1
Mililani (7-0) 102 000 3 — 6 6 3
Kacee Navarro and Alecia Kuphihea. Aubree Kim, Joen Baker (3) and Kacie Oshiro. W—Baker. L—Navarro.
Leading hitters—Kap: Stacia Mahoe 3-5, 2b, RBI; Kacee Navarro 2-4, HR; Shaycelyn Hoohuli 2-3; Chermayne Yago HR. Mil: Kacie Oshiro 2-3, 2 2bs, RBI; Kanani Lanias 2b.
