Lincoln Naiwi is more concerned about the finish line, but he certainly doesn’t mind a strong start, either.

The Waianae softball coach got a solid complete-game effort from freshman ace Cranci Kamaka and solo homers by Randie Santiago and Kelcie Taguchi in a 4-3 win over Pearl City on Thursday at the Chargers’ field.

Seventh-ranked Waianae improved to 3-1 in the OIA Red West, bouncing back from a shutout loss to Mililani a week earlier. Pearl City dropped to 2-2.

"The kids did a good job today. Pearl City is a really good team. Cranci had a lot of movement on her ball and she did a good job today," Naiwi said.

Kamaka was steady on the mound, poised beyond her years, and also batted

2-for-4. She was a stellar pitcher for Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale in the 2012 Little League Softball World Series with a 3-1 record and 1.50 ERA — and 14 strikeouts in 20 innings pitched.

Two years later, Kamaka has started every league game for the Seariders, posting a 1.81 ERA in four starts. On Thursday, she scattered seven hits, struck out four and walked four.

The promising start doesn’t get the low-key Naiwi overly excited.

"The main thing for me is, it isn’t how we start, it’s how we finish," Naiwi said.

The solo shots by Santiago and Taguchi were inside-the-park homers. Pearl City took a calculated risk by not putting the 200-foot outfield fence up, the better to counter Waianae’s power-hitting first baseman, Lauren Tauanu. The senior finished 0-for-1 (flyout) with two walks, but also launched a 320-foot shot down the left-field line in the fifth inning that was just barely out of play. The ball bounced at the foot of the fence.

In the second, Santiago, the No. 7 hitter, drilled a gapper past Chargers center fielder Ariela Bali. The ball rolled toward the adjacent baseball diamond, allowing Santiago to score easily.

In the top of the third, it was leadoff hitter Taguchi who spanked a sharp line drive to left, and when the ball scooted by the outfielder, Taguchi flew like the wind around the bases for Waianae’s second run. One batter later, Chargers coach Keoke Behic moved pitcher Kristin Frost to left field and put P.B. Kaaialii on the mound. That adjustment paid off moments later, when the nimble Frost closed on a soft liner to left by Mahina Piilani and made the catch to end the inning.

Taguchi came through again in the fourth, socking a two-out single to left, scoring Santiago, who had reached base on a leadoff hit-by-pitch.

Another HBP by Kaaialii led to another run by Waianae in the fifth frame. Tauanu belted that 320-foot foul ball, then was hit on the foot on a 1-1 pitch. She later scored from second base on a single to right by pinch hitter Nue Siva, and Waianae led 4-1.

Pearl City cut the lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth after Frost singled and eventually scored on a single to right by Robi Kami.

Waianae loaded the bases in the top of the seventh, but again left runners stranded. The Seariders left 11 on base in the game.

In the bottom of the seventh, Pearl City got within

4-3 after Kami belted a single to center, scoring Kristyn Uehara from second. After Hope Casarez reached base on an infield single, the Chargers had the bases loaded, but Kamaka retired Makana Kekaulike on an infield grounder in front of home plate to end the game.

The Seariders have a nice blend of defense — error-free on Thursday — pitching, table-setting speedsters and power hitters like Tauanu.

"The last I heard, she has an offer from Florida State. She has a 4.0 (grade-point average). She’s a good girl and she has a great personality," Naiwi said.

At Pearl City

Cranci Kamaka and Bresia Wagner. Kristin Frost, P.B. Kaaialii (3) and Robi Kami. W—Kamaka. L—Frost.

Leading hitters—Waianae: Kelcie Taguchi 2-4, HR, RBI, run; Kamaka 2-4; Nue Siva 1-2, RBI; Randie Santiago 2-3, HR, 2 runs, RBI. Pearl City: Kami 2-4, 2 RBI; Kaaialii 1-3, RBI.

OIA RED EAST

NO. T5 MOANALUA 10, KAIMUKI 0, 5 INN.

Cyanne Fernandez struck out 10 batters in a five-inning no-hitter as Na Menehune thumped the Bulldogs.

Fernandez added a double and a homer for Moanalua, while Chriss Omalza recorded two homers and a double.

At Moanalua

Darla Amond and Aliyah Aiono. Cyanne Fernandez and Chrissi Omalza.

W—Fernandez. L—Amond.

Leading hitters—Moan: Fernandez 2-2, 2b, HR, 3 RBIs, run; Omalza 3-3, 2b, two HRs, 4 RBIs, 2 runs; Caitlyn Ramiscal 2-2; Makamae Kaleikini 2b, run.

KAISER 17, ROOSEVELT 0, 5 INN.

The Cougars capitalized on 13 errors, scoring a total of 17 runs in the first three innings in roughing up the Rough Riders.

Seli Aholelei had two out of Kaiser’s four home runs to lead a 13-hit offense.

At Stevenson field 

W—Ching-Lake. L—Dedusca.

Leading hitters—Kais: Bailey Gongob 2-2, 2b, HR; Aholelei 2-4, 2 HRs; Marissa Oda 2-3, 3b, HR. Roos: Dedusca 2b; Holani 2b.

CASTLE 8, KAHUKU 6

Despite being outhit 11-8, the Knights rallied with a five-run sixth inning to beat the Red Raiders.

Pitcher Brandee Lane earned the win for Castle, and also led the offense with a homer in the bottom of the third inning.

At Castle

W—Lane. L—Kaowili.

Leading hitters—Kah: J. Alo 2-4, 2 HRs, 2 RBIs; Kaowili 2-4, 2b; Aiyana Aipia 2-4, 2b; Sabrina Alo 2-4, 2b. Cast: Lane 2-4, HR, 2 RBIs.

OIA RED WEST

LEILEHUA 4, NO. 1 MILILANI 3

The Mules pulled out a game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning to hand the Trojans their first conference loss.

Leilehua’s Taezha Cordero earned the win, pitching a complete game and allowing just four hits, while Chenoa Au led the Mules offense with three hits.

At Leilehua

W—Cordero. L—Kim.

Leading hitters—Mil: Karly Macadangdang 2-4, 2 RBIs. Lei: Chenoa Au 3-4, 3 runs; Tiana Cantero-Kawelo 2b.

NO. 8 CAMPBELL 4, WAIPAHU 0

Sophomore pitcher Elisa Favela pitched a one-hitter and struck out 10 to propel the Sabers over the Marauders.

Campbell’s Caragh Morris hit a homer and drove in two runs.

At Campbell

W—Favela. L—Viliamu.

Leading hitters—Waip: Alyssa Lene 2b. Camp: Caragh Morris HR, 2 RBIs; Nashlynn Anguay 2-3, RBI.

OIA WHITE

AIEA 20, KALANI 0, 5 INN.

Chantelle Shimabukuro batted 3-for-4 with two doubles as Na Alii put the game away with a 12-run second inning to whip the Falcons.

At Aiea 

W—Higuchi. L—Furuya.

Leading hitters—Aiea: Higuchi 3-4, 2 2bs; Shimabukuro 3-4, 2 2bs; Alama 2-3, HR; Kyle Johnson 2-3, 2b; Taira Shibata 2-2, 2b.

WAIALUA 13, RADFORD 3

Kailia Agabin hit a home run and drove in two runs as the Bulldogs routed the Rams.

At Waialua 

W—Agabin. L—Lee.

Leading hitters—Rad: S. Halsey 3-3, HR, 2 RBIs; Saelua HR. Wail: Selena Victoria 2-2, RBI, run; Agabin HR, 2 RBIs; Emily Pahinui 2-2, RBI; Amber Alejandro 2b.

KALAHEO 11, FARRINGTON 10, 9 INN.

The Mustangs scored two runs in the ninth inning on an error to defeat the Govenors.

At Farrington 

W—Howard. L—Peters.

Leading hitters—Kalh: Kylie Ishimaru 4-6; Hope Spencer 5-6; Tiffany Beach 2-3; Shaena Randles 2-6; Esther Ilob 2-4; Sharae Randles 2-6. Farr: Peters 2-6; Kailee McGloghon 4-6; Kaipo Castillo 2-6; Tanisha Taualai 2-5.