Moanalua’s victory on Tuesday was both a step forward in the state-tournament bracket and a payoff on a promise from the past.

When Na Menehune left Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium after a quick appearance in the tournament a year ago, the underclassmen vowed that next time would be different.

Having earned a return trip to Manoa, Moanalua came through with a 7-4 win over Kapolei in the Division I first round of the DataHouse/HHSAA State Softball Championships.

"Last year we didn’t win a game and they promised each other and promised me after the game, they said, ‘Next year, Coach, we’re not just going to be back, we’re going to dance,’ " Moanalua coach Kristie Morikawa said. "They’re doing what they said they would do."

After falling behind 2-0 in the top of the first — and rotating two pitchers three times in the inning — Na Menehune struck for four runs in the bottom of the inning and junior Leisha Yamauchi protected the lead the rest of the way.

Moanalua (14-2) advanced to face BIIF champion and fourth-seeded Hilo (15-2) in a quarterfinal game today at 1 p.m. at RWSS.

Memories from both last year and last month fueled Moanalua in a two-week break leading up to the state tournament. Na Menehune, who lost two lopsided games a year ago at RWSS, went 11-0 in the OIA Red East, but a 1-2 showing in the league tournament knocked them out of the bracket on April 20.

"We were hungry and we wanted to play already," said junior catcher Chrissi Omalza, who went 3-for-4 with a double and drove in a run.

Ariel Ajimura started in the circle for Moanalua, but switched with Yamauchi at first base three times in the first inning.

"We knew she was going to start, so I prepared myself just in case they put me in," Yamauchi said. "We tried it one game and it worked."

Kapolei took the lead when Stacia-Al Mahoe scored on an error on Kacee Navarro’s line drive to center, and Amayha Dycus followed with an RBI double.

Yamauchi finished the inning and Moanalua responded with four runs in the bottom of the frame before recording its first out.

"Coach Kris amped us up that inning and we answered back," Omalza said.

Omalza drove in Moanalua’s first run with an infield single, and a throwing error on the play allowed the second run to score. Two more eventually came in on wild pitches.

Navarro kept the Hurricanes, the runners-up in the OIA Red playoffs, within a run by stranding five Moanalua runners on base in the fourth and fifth innings.

But Moanalua gave Yamauchi some breathing room in the sixth when Cyanne Fernandez delivered a two-run double with two out.

Just prior to the double, Morikawa held Kiana Mattos-Felicilda at third on Omalza’s single to left field rather than risk a play at the plate.

"I held her up at third because I knew Cy was coming up," Morikawa said. "Cy’s been coming around lately. She’s super focused and she’s a smart kid and she’ll learn from every single pitch. I knew she was going to do something, and it paid off."

At Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium

Ariel Ajimura, Leisha Yamauchi (1), Ajimura (1), Yamauchi (1) and Chrissi Omalza. Kacee Navarro and Alecia Kupihea. W–Yamauchi. L–Navarro.

Leading hitters–Kapolei: Amayha Dycus, 2-3, 2 2B, RBI; Kamryn Kanae, RBI. Moanalua: Omalza , 3-4, 2b; RBI; Sparki Ramiscal, RBI; Cyanne Fernandez, 2B, 2 RBIs.

Mililani 15, Keaau 0, 5 innings

Jade Yadao-Valdez went 4-for-4 with two doubles, three runs and five RBIs as the Trojans blanked the Cougars.

Joen Baker struck out eight over three innings and Kylie-Anne Bello added a home run for Mililani.

The Trojans move on to face Campbell today at 7:30 p.m.

At Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium

Shaniya Kamakea-Wong, Rylann Hacoba (4) and Ayana Silva. Joen Baker, Aubree Kim (4) and Kacie Oshiro, Nicole Cox. W–Baker. L–Kamakea-Wong.

Leading hitters–Keaau: Silva 1-2, 2B; Cynthia Nakaima 1-1, 2B. Mil: Justine Fabella 2-4, 3 runs, RBI; Jade Yadao-Valdez 4-4, 2 2B, 3 runs, 5 RBIs; Kylen Rodrigues 1-1, 2B, 2 RBIs; Baker 3-4, 2 runs, 2 RBIs; Kylie-Ann Bello 2-4, HR, run, 3 RBIs; Cox 1-1, 3 runs.

Leilehua 6, Lahainaluna 5

The Mules scored three runs in the seventh inning on a pair of throwing errors by the Lunas to win the game.

Leilehua advances to face Kamehameha today at 5 p.m.

At Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium

Hope Morikawa and Mele Pasikala. Taezha Ann Cordero. W–Cordero. L–Morikawa.

Leading hitters–Lah: Haley Ann Nakamura 2-4, 2 runs; Haake Kekuulani 1-2, HR, 3 RBIs, run. Lei: Jazmyn Dangaran 1-4, 2 runs; Chenoa Au 2-3, 2 runs; Kyla Larson 1-4, 2 RBIs; Cordero HR.

Punahou 6, Waipahu 1

Buffanblu pitcher Jaci Young struck out 14 while holding the Marauders to two hits, and Punahou advanced to face third-seeded Baldwin in today’s 3 p.m. quarterfinal game.

Waipahu’s Shevan DeFreitas allowed just one hit through five innings in the circle, and the Marauders led 1-0 before the Buffanblu rallied for five runs in the sixth inning.

Thalen Masada singled to lead off the inning and scored Punahou’s first run on a wild pitch.

With runners on second and third base, Vanessa Va’a’s fielder’s-choice grounder gave Punahou the lead.

Young, Ari Hashimoto and Sarah Sumida later contributed RBI singles.

At Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium

Jaci Young and Kylie Popovich. Shevan DeFreitas, Tali Viliamu (6), Kayla Pedebone (6) and Shandell Palencia. W–Young. L–DeFreitas.

Leading hitters–Punahou: Popovich, 2-3; Vanessa Va’a, 2 RBIs; Young, 2-4, 2B, RBI; Ari Hashimoto, RBI.