Being a two-time state champion can be overwhelming.
Opponents want to beat the Nanakuli softball team, which has won the past two Division II state titles and the past three OIA White championships. Furthermore, the ninth-ranked Golden Hawks haven’t lost a D-II game in two years. The pressure of success can be daunting, but coach Ricky Gusman reminds his girls to simply focus on the present.
“We take one game at a time, never look forward (to) another game,” Gusman said after Nanakuli beat host Waialua 13-3 in an OIA White game on Tuesday. “Whoever is in front of us, that’s where we try to take care of business. They’re well rounded, they don’t look past many things and they stay humble.”
Nanakuli (7-0) last lost a league game to Kaiser in March 2013. It won 12 consecutive games after that to claim the state title. Nanakuli finished 18-0 last season. The goal again is to win another state crown, but the immediate goal is to make the league playoffs first.
“Short-term goal is get to the playoffs,” Gusman said. “Of course we want to get another title. Every year it gets harder and harder.”
The Golden Hawks for once are deep.
“They have depth from one to nine, even in their subs,” Waialua coach Rod Dicion said. “They put their subs in, they (still) have depth. That’s what you get when you have a good program. Everybody will play for you.”
Winning pitcher Kanalei McCoy struck out four batters and walked just one in four innings. She ran into some trouble in the bottom of the third inning when two wild pitches allowed two runs to score.
“She did well at hitting her pitches and picking herself up,” said Nanakuli catcher Kaila Burnett.
McCoy, a sophomore, is one of three pitchers in Nanakuli’s main rotation. She played on the junior varsity last year and said playing on the varsity is an entirely different experience.
“For JV season, it wasn’t as hard or as aggressive with the teams,” McCoy said. “Now that it’s varsity, it’s more challenging. It’s been fun.”
Burnett and Precious Paulo-Meyers both batted 3-for-3 and drove in five runs. The Golden Hawks have scored 106 runs in six league games this season (one of its seven wins was a forfeit). While errors committed by opponents have contributed to the run total, Nanakuli is still able to string together hits and put the ball in play. The Golden Hawks are aided by a large coaching staff with assistants in charge in pitching, hitting, defense and outfielders.
“I got a large coaching staff and they bring a lot to the game,” Gusman said. “It’s getting us to be as one and the kids get it. It’s continuity, having a team thing.”
Andrea Dicion batted 3-for-3 to lead Waialua (3-2). Selena Victoria hit two triples and scored two of her team’s three runs.
Waialua has championship aspirations like Nanakuli does. The Bulldogs want to the make the OIA title game and thereby qualify for the state tournament. Waialua has made six of the past seven D-II state tournaments.
“If we make the championship, the girls have a chance to play on TV,” said coach Dicion. “That’s our biggest goal.”
| NANAKULI |
344 20 — 13 12 2 |
| WAIALUA |
102 00 — 3 7 3 |
Kanalei McCoy, Chalyssa Belford (5) and Kaila Burnett. Danielle Maxwell and Laola Pang. W–McCoy. L–Maxwell.
Leading hitters–Nana: Burnett 3-3, 2 3b, 5 RBIs; Precious Paulo-Meyers 3-3, 2b, 3b, 5 RBIs; Emma Kawaiaea 2 RBIs; McCoy 2b; Shayla Kaeo RBI, 2b. Wail: Andrea Dicion 3-3, RBI; Selena Victoria 2-3, 2 3b; Pang 3b.
No. 1 Mililani 3, No. 7 Pearl City 3
The Trojans and Chargers dueled to a tie before the umpires called the game due to darkness.
Nat Kang led Pearl City’s offense with a homer, while Tristan Cozo posted two hits and a double for Mililani.
At Pearl City
| Mililani (6-0-1) |
100 |
101 |
— |
3 |
5 |
1 |
| Pearl City (4-2-1) |
001 |
110 |
— |
3 |
2 |
2 |
Aubree Kim and Markie Okamoto. Kristin Frost, Tyanna Kaaialii (6) and Hope Casarez.
Leading hitters–Mililani: Tristan Cozo 2-3, 2b, RBI. Pearl City: Nat Kang HR, RBI, run.
No. 3 Campbell 11, Waianae 3
The Sabers racked up seven runs in the first two innings to defeat the Seariders.
Campbell’s Elisa Favela earned the win on the mound.
At Waianae
| Campbell (6-1) |
253 |
100 |
0 |
— |
11 |
14 |
2 |
| Waianae (1-6) |
003 |
000 |
0 |
— |
3 |
9 |
4 |
Elisa Favela, Danielle Cervantes (5) and Kyra Hoohuli. Bailey Pittman and Kayla Hensley.
W–Favela. L–Pittman.
Leading hitters–Campbell: Cydney Curran 2-4, 3 runs, 3 RBIs; Sierra Mariano 2-5, 2 RBIs, run; Favela 2-3, RBI; Caragh Morris 2-3, 2 RBIs; Darien Robinson 2-3, RBI, run; Kyra Hoohuli 2-4. Waianae: Willie-Ann Perez 2-4; Lena Kotrys 2-4, run.
Kapolei 5, Leilehua 2
Chelsea Lobitos went 2-for-3 at bat to lead the Hurricanes past the Mules.
At Kaala Park
| Kapolei (3-4) |
000 |
102 |
2 |
— |
5 |
8 |
1 |
| Leilehua (2-5) |
100 |
010 |
0 |
— |
2 |
7 |
3 |
Sadie Kapaku-You and Lili Kaimi. Chelsea Lobitos and Staisa Micky.
W–Kapaku-You. L–Lobitos.
Leading hitters–Kapolei: Laugatausala Pedebone 2-4, 2b; Kapaku-You 2-3. Leilehua: Lobitos 2-3; Ashley Salausa 2b; Gwen Maeha 2b; Micky HR.
OIA EAST SOFTBALL
No. 10 Kaiser 11, Kailua 2
The Cougars pounded three triples, two doubles and a home run to defeat the Surfriders.
Kaiser’s Marissa Oda hit the homer and pitcher Seli Aholelei finished with six strikeouts.
At Kaiser
| Kailua (4-2) |
002 |
000 |
0 |
— |
2 |
3 |
0 |
| Kaiser (6-0) |
013 |
403 |
X |
— |
11 |
10 |
4 |
Dyani Cummings-Lani, Delcie Williams (5) and Harley Texeira. Seli Aholelei and Tiana Ching-Lake.
W–Aholelei. L–Cummings-Lani.
Leading hitters–Kailua: Williams 3b, 2 RBIs. Kaiser: Marissa Oda HR, 3 RBIs; Rainelle Matsuoka 2-3, two 2bs; Aholelei 2-3, 3b, 3 RBIs; Haley Suzuki 2-2, 3b, 2 RBIs; Elyse Tsutsui 3b.
ILH DIVISION I BASEBALL
No. 2 Mid-Pacific 15, ‘Iolani 9
No stats were reported.
