Pearl City puts the hammer down on Waipahu

The test of danger awaited No. 7 Pearl City on Friday night. 

The Chargers passed with flying colors, relying on a stellar six-inning performance by Kristin Frost in relief for a 17-6 comeback win over Waipahu at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park. 

Frost stepped in for starting pitcher Tyanna Kaaialii, who faced just three batters before being pulled by coach Chad Obara. Frost scattered six hits and permitted four runs with six strikeouts and just two walks. The Chargers improved to 5-2-1 in the tough OIA West, while Waipahu slipped to 1-6. 

It could’ve been different, and after one inning, it appeared that the dangerous Marauders were in slugfest mode. But Waipahu, which pushed powerhouse Mililani to extra innings in a 2-1 loss more than two weeks ago, was stymied by Frost. 

The junior right-hander couldn’t get her curveball working consistently, but with a generous strike zone low and inside on Friday, she went to her screwballs and risers. She threw three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit until Shevan DeFreitas swatted a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the fifth. That cut the margin to nine runs, and though Waipahu got two runners on base in the sixth, Frost struck out two of the final three batters to end the game by 10-run rule. 

"Coach said to hit my spots. I knew my teammates had my back," said Frost, who started at third base and was stunned about the quick change.

Frost knows strikes well. She is a three-time state medalist for three-time state bowling champion Pearl City with a 175 average. Her personal record is 256. 

Obara’s squad scored four times in the top of the first in a pattern that benefited the Chargers for most of the night. Waipahu committed at least two errors in each of the first four innings and finished with eight miscues. 

Waipahu scored five runs, however, in the bottom of the first thanks to an RBI single by Alyssa Lene and a two-run single by Ulalia Soa. 

The Chargers responded with a six-run second inning. Taylyn Kimura’s bases-loaded walk brought home Kylie Tasaki, who had already been hit by pitch twice. Two more runs scored on a double-error play by the Marauders, and Kaaialii followed with a double to left, scoring Taylor Shigeta for a 10-5 lead. 

Shortstop Darian Obara paced Pearl City at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI. The Chargers never lost focus despite the wild momentum swings and delays of the first two innings, which took an hour and 12 minutes to play. 

"At practice we do a lot of game-situation stuff," the sophomore said. "My dad (Coach Obara) tries to rattle us with different situations, so it’s not a surprise." 

It was also the fourth time Pearl City has been on live TV this season.

"We’re used to the cameras now," she added. 

The Marauders are hoping for a strong finish and a playoff berth. When they get their pitch, they’re a tough-hitting team. 

"(Frost) was hitting her spots," Waipahu coach Byron McCorriston said. "We’ve been so used to umpires calling strikes outside. The inside stuff threw us off. A couple of errors took us out of the game, but we fought hard and I’m proud of my team." 

Tyanna Kaaialii, Kristin Frost (1) and Hope Casarez. Rayna Abunag, Gracie Kaopua (3) and Shandell Palencia. W–Frost. L–Abunag. 

Leading hitters–PC: Kylie Tasaki 0-1, 2 HBP, 3 runs; Noel Saunders 1-3, 2 runs; Darian Obara 3-4, 2 runs, RBI; Natalie Kang 1-2, 2 runs; Taylyn Kimura 1-3, RBI, run; Taylor Shigeta 1-4, 2 runs, Kaaialii 1-1, 2 RBIs. Waipahu: Shevan DeFreitas 1-2, HR, RBI, run; Ulalia Soa 2-3, 2B, 2 RBIs, run.