Jaci Young and Kylie Popovich were freshman starters when Punahou last appeared in a state championship game.
They’ll end their high school careers as senior leaders in another state tournament final after helping the Buffanblu rally to an 8-2 win over Campbell on Thursday at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
"To go there once is amazing," Young said, "and to go there twice, we’re beyond blessed and we’re just happy we got the opportunity."
DIVISION I SOFTBALL STATE TOURNAMENT
At Rainbow Wahine Stadium
THURSDAY, MAY 9
Consolation
Waipahu 5, Keaau 2
Leilehua 6, Hilo 2
Mililani 7, Baldwin 1
Semifinals
Punahou 8, Campbell 2
Kamehameha 3, Moanalua 1
FRIDAY, MAY 10
Consolation
Kapolei vs. Waipahu, 1 p.m.
Fifth place
Leilehua vs. Mililani, 3 p.m.
Third place
Campbell vs. Moanalua, 5 p.m.
Championship
Punahou vs. Kamehameha, 7 p.m.
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Young was Punahou’s designated player in the 2010 state championship game, while Popovich started in left field. They’ve made up the Buffanblu battery as seniors and played pivotal roles as Punahou advanced to the Division I final of the DataHouse/HHSAA Softball State Championship.
Young gave up two runs in the first inning, then shut out Campbell on two hits the rest of the way to finish with 12 strikeouts in the complete-game win.
Popovich called Young’s pitches behind the plate and delivered the go-ahead single with two out in the top of the fourth inning. She came through with another RBI single in the sixth and the Buffanblu got past the Sabers in the third state-tournament meeting between the teams in the past four years.
Campbell denied Punahou in the 2010 championship, and the Sabers rallied to a 4-2 win in last year’s quarterfinal round.
"Our goal has been to be here," Punahou head coach Bob Makahilahila said. "We told them at the start of the season, ‘we’re good enough to get to this game.’ So far we’ve been fortunate to get here and now we have to finish it."
Young earned her third victory of the tournament while raising her strikeout total for the week to 34 over 182/3 innings.
"At this point, there’s no use being tired," Young said. "We’ve made it and it’s all adrenaline from here."
Campbell opened the scoring on a Punahou error and added a second run on Kawehi Kahana’s double to right-center.
But Punahou broke through in the fifth with Ari Hashimoto’s RBI double to left field. She went to third on the throw but was tagged out on an attempted squeeze for the second out of the inning. But the Buffanblu kept the inning alive and loaded the bases with a walk followed by two infield errors.
Popovich took two strikes and fouled off two more before lining a single into right-center to score the tying and go-ahead runs.
The throw from the outfield was wild, allowing another run to score. Nicole Nishizawa then looped a single into right to push the Punahou lead to 5-2.
At Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium
Punahou (18-3) |
000 |
503 |
0 |
— |
8 |
9 |
2 |
Campbell (11-6) |
200 |
000 |
0 |
— |
2 |
4 |
5 |
Jaci Young and Kylie Popovich. Summer Palipti and Kiana Ulufale. W–Young. L–Palipti.
Leading hitters–Punahou: Kylie Popovich, 2-3, 4 RBIs; Nicole Nishizawa, 2-3, 2B, RBI; Ari Hashimoto, 2B, RBI; Vanessa Va’a, RBI; Sarah Sumida, 2-3, 2B.
Campbell: Tiana Rosario, 2B; Palipti, 2B; Kawehi Kahana, 2-3, 2B, RBI.
CONSOLATION
Leilehua 6, Hilo 2
At Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium
Hilo (15-4) |
000 |
002 |
— |
2 |
7 |
1 |
Leilehua (11-8) |
000 |
42x |
— |
6 |
5 |
0 |
Aliesa Kaneshiro and Shyanne Higa-Gonsalves. Taezha Ann Cordero and Kyla Larson. W–Cordero. L–Kaneshiro.
Leading hitters–Hilo: Sharlei Graham-Bernisto 2B, Kaneshiro 2B. Lei: Tiana Cantero-Kawelo 2-2, 2 runs.
Mililani 7, Baldwin 1
At Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium
Baldwin (12-5) |
100 |
00 |
— |
1 |
0 |
2 |
Mililani (16-2) |
015 |
1x |
— |
7 |
9 |
0 |
Sanae Nakoa, Gabriella Alonso (4) and Sarah Abe. Aubree Kim, Joen Baker (1) and Kacie Oshiro. W–Baker. L–Nakoa.
Leading hitters–Bald: none. Mil: Baker 2-3, run; Karly Macadangdang 1-3, HR, run, 2 RBIs; Kanani Lanias 2 runs; Nicole Cox 1-2, HR, run, 2 RBIs; Tori-Anne Baysa 2-2, RBI.
Waipahu 5, Keaau 2
At Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium
Keaau (11-8) |
000 |
20 |
— |
2 |
4 |
2 |
Waipahu (9-9) |
004 |
1x |
— |
5 |
7 |
2 |
Shaniya Kamakea-Wong, Kilohilani Kamakea-Wong (3) and Ayana Silva. Shevan DeFreitas, Annjahnee Miranda (1), Taliilagi Viliamu (5) and Shandell Palencia. W–Miranda. L–S. Kamakea-Wong.
Leading hitters–Keaau: Rylann Hacoba 2-3. Waip: Laugatausala Pedebon 2B; DeFreitas 2-2, 2B, run, RBI.