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Coaches can teach players not to give up on the ball.
But they can’t teach instinct.
A key — and somewhat unexpected — throw by right fielder Shaycelynn Ho’ohuli to first baseman Makana Meyers in the bottom of the seventh ended the game, keeping alive Kapolei’s dream of an Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Division softball title.
The Hurricanes rode the eight-hit, five-strikeout pitching of senior Kacee Navarro and key hits at the right time to hold off Leilehua 6-3 in Friday’s first semifinal at Central Oahu Regional Park. Kapolei (9-6), the fifth seed out of the OIA West, faces Campbell at 7 tonight for the OIA championship.
The Mules (8-7), the West’s third seed, put together a serious threat in the bottom of the seventh. Consecutive singles by Chenoa Au and Titi Kewelo-Cantero opened the inning.
Navarro, pitching her third consecutive day, struck out Sage Sanborn and got Tihani Palomares to pop up to second. Two outs later, Chasity Stalcup drilled a shot to shallow center and, with the runners going, it looked as if Leilehua would close the margin to a run.
Instead, Ho’ohuli made a running grab and fired it perfectly to Meyers just ahead of diving Stalcup to shut down the rally.
"We work on that play but you don’t use it that often," Kapolei coach Tony Saffery said. "She hesitates, she throws it in and they score two. It’s 6-5 and they’re still threatening.
"It was pure instinct to go to first."
"I was so happy that she made the throw," Navarro said. "I think she saved the game."
Catcher Alecia Kupihea had a hand in it as well, making critical saves of Navarro’s risers that could have moved up the Leilehua runners on wild pitches. The Kapolei defense also bailed out Navarro when turning two double plays.
A three-run fourth appeared to give Kapolei a comfortable lead. The Hurricanes used two errors, a hit batter and a pop-up that dropped untouched behind the pitcher’s circle to pull ahead 4-1.
In the fifth, a seeing-eye single by Amayha Dycus scored Emilee Guillermo adding to Kapolei’s cushion.
Leilehua wasn’t done. RBI-singles by Au and Palomares closed the gap to 5-3.
Kapolei closed out the scoring, with Ho’ohuli coming in from third in the middle of a Mules double play.
At CORP
| Kapolei (9-6) |
010 |
311 |
0–6 |
5 |
3 |
| Leilehua (8-7) |
001 |
020 |
0–3 |
8 |
5 |
Kacee Navarro and Alecia Kupihea; Taezha Cordero and Sage Sanborn. W–Navarro. L–Cordero.
Leading hitters–Kap: Makana Meyers RBI; Amayha Dycus RBI; Kamryn Kahae RBI; Shaycelynn Ho’ohuli RBI; Stacia-Al Mahoe RBI; Emilee Guerrero 2 runs; Kayla Higa 2 runs. Lei: Chenoa Au 2-4, Sage Sanborn 2-4; Chloe Pojas RBI; Tiff Abear 2-3, 3b, 1 run; Tihani Palomares RBI; Jaz Dangaran 1 run; Chasity Stalcup 1 run.
Campbell 6, Waipahu 3
Freshman Cydney Curran doubled into the gap in left center field in the bottom of the sixth and the two-time defending OIA Champion Sabers returned to the title game.
"We were struggling but we just kept telling the girls to fight back, fight back, and good things will happen," Michael Hermosua said.
Campbell trailed 3-1 with six outs remaining before rallying for five runs in the bottom of the sixth.
The Marauders got the tying run to the plate in the top of the seventh but Summer Palipti forced Tali Viliamu to line out to right field. Campbell’s Chardonay Pantastico made a running catch to end it.
The Sabers are 9-0 in the past three OIA tournaments, outscoring opponents 63-24. They beat Kapolei 4-3 for the title last year.
The Sabres (9-5) spotted the Marauders (8-7) an early 3-0 lead, all of the runs coming Nala Viliamu’s three-run shot over the left-field fence in the top of the first.
OIA RED CONSOLATION
No. 1 Mililani 12, Kailua 0
Joen Baker allowed only two hits and went 2-for-2 with a double and a homer as the Trojans clinched a state berth.
At Mililani
| Kailua |
000 |
00 |
— |
0 |
2 |
1 |
| Mililani |
311 |
7x |
— |
12 |
11 |
1 |
Teah Kauhi and Jamie Lasconia. Joen Baker and Kacie Oshiro.
W–Baker. L–Kauhi.
Leading hitters–Kail: Delcie Williams 2b. Mil: Justine Fabella 2-3, 2 runs; Karly Macadangdang HR, run 3 RBIs; Baker 2-2, 2b, HR, run, 2 RBIs; Kylie-Ann Bello 2-3, 2b, run, RBI; Kanani Lanias 2-3, 2b, ru, 3 RBIs; Nicole Cox 2b.
No. 2 Moanalua 12, Pearl City 2, 6 inn.
Leisha Yamauchi had a double and a triple as Na Menehune clinched a state berth. Moanalua will face Mililani for fifth place today.
At Moanalua
| Pearl City |
000 |
110 |
— |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| Moanalua |
220 |
017 |
— |
12 |
12 |
3 |
Kristin Frost, Cydny Rivera (6) and Taylor Kawakami. Cyanne Fernandez, Leisha Yamauchi (4), Fernandez (5) and Chrissi Omalza.
W–Fernandez. L–Frost.
Leading hitters–Moan: Leisha Yamauchi 2-3, 2b, 3b, 2 RBIs; Omalza 2-4, 2 RBIs; Fernandez HR, 3 RBIs; Sparki Ramiscal 2-3, RBI.
OIA WHITE SEMIFINALS
Nanakuli 15, McKinley 5, 6 innings
Alexis Paulo Meyers was hot at bat, going 4-for-4 with two home runs as the Golden Hawks dominated the Tigers. Chyanne Koko struck out eight for Nanakuli.
At Nanakuli
| McKinley |
110 |
030 |
— |
5 |
6 |
3 |
| Nanakuli |
160 |
53x |
— |
15 |
12 |
7 |
Kim Amor and Jaclyn Galinato. Chyanne Koko and Lauren Ku, Precious Paulo-Meyers (6). W–Koko. L–Amor.
Leading hitters–McK: Jillian Cristobal HR, 3 RBIs. Nan: Alexis Paulo-Meyers 4-4, 4 RBIs, 2b, 2 HR.
Kaiser 7, Aiea 6, 9 inn.
Kai Hasegawa singled in the bottom of the ninth inning, bringing in Lesieli Aholelei with the winning run, as the Cougars topped Na Alii in nine innings.
At Kaiser
| Aiea |
101 |
000 |
400 |
— |
6 |
9 |
5 |
| Kaiser |
310 |
010 |
101 |
— |
7 |
5 |
4 |
Raisa Strom-Okimoto and Kendra Chong. Crystal Ching-Lake, Seli Aholei (4), Crystal Ching-Lake (8) and Kyra Hoohuli, Tiana Ching-Lake (4), Hoohuli (8).
W–C. Ching-Lake. L–Strom-Okimoto.
Leading hitters–Aiea: Raisa Strom-Okimoto 4-5, 2 2bs, 3 runs; Ashley Nakamoto 2-4, 2 RBIs. Kais: Kai Hasegawa 2-5, 2 RBIs.
ILH
No. 3 Kamehameha 11, No. 7 Mid-Pacific 1, 6 inn.
Chris Hipa had three hits, including a double and a home run, to lead the Warriors past the Owls.
At Mid-Pacific
| KS (10-2) |
003 |
071 |
— |
11 |
7 |
1 |
| MPI (7-6) |
010 |
000 |
— |
1 |
6 |
5 |
Kamalani Dung and Rachel Ogasawara. Kayla Au, Kristi Nagamine (6) and Nicole Lopez. W–Dung. L–Au.
Leading hitters–KS: Chris Hipa 3-3, 2b, HR, 2 runs, 4 RBIs; Kaya Naiwi 2b, run RBi; Rachel Dumlao 2b, run, 2 RBIs. MPI: Lopez 2b; Jenna Kumabe 2b; Lindsey Matoi 2-3.
St. Francis 8, Sacred Hearts 5
Rachel Carlos hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to lead the Saints over the Lancers.
At Kamamalu Park
| SHA (3-10) |
130 |
010 |
0 |
— |
5 |
6 |
2 |
| StF (5-8) |
300 |
023 |
X |
— |
8 |
11 |
5 |
Kaua Huihui-Awa, Jordyn Waracka (6) and Macy Koko. Shaye Simms and Kelsie Hee.
W–Simms. L–Huihui-Awa.
Leading hitters–SHA: Huihui-Awa 2-4, 3b, run; Breanne Flores 2-3. StF: Rachel Carlos 3-4, 2b, HR, 3 runs, 2 RBIs; Simms 2-3, 3b, 2 RBIs; Hee 3-3, 2b, RBI, 2 runs.
Thursday’s result
‘Iolani 14, Pac-Five 10
At Ala Wai
| Pac-Five (2-10) |
011 |
701 |
0 |
— |
10 |
14 |
1 |
| ‘Iolani (9-5) |
510 |
710 |
x |
— |
14 |
12 |
3 |
Kaleihiwa Ah New, Brazzlyn Tovio-Asato (4) and Kailee Russell. Taylor Garcia-Perreira, Vevesi Liilii (4), Robi Kodama (4), Kealaula Gier (4) and Cassie Ho.
W–Garcia-Perreira. L–Ah New.
Leading Hitters–P5: Shazzareign Nakoa-Chung 4-5, 2 2b, 2 runs, 3 RBI; Brazzlyn Tovio-Asato 3-5, 2b, 2 runs, RBI; Kailyn Osaki 3-5, 2b, run, 2 RBI.
Iol: Alex Masaquel 2-3, 2b, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Alyssa Liilii 2-5, 3b, 2 runs, 3 RBI; Spencer Oda 2-4, 2b, 2 runs, RBI; Vevesi Liilii 2-2, run 2 RBI; Cassie Ho 2-4, run.
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BRUCE ASATO / BASATO@STARADVERTISER.COM