The long, hot and dusty road is done for the ‘Iolani Raiders.
The No. 1 team in the Star-Advertiser Softball Top 10 went 4-1 in Arizona at the Hamilton tournament, beating two ranked teams and losing to another. The Raiders defeated Basha, ranked fourth in Arizona, 1-0 and No. 25 Pinnacle 11-0.
The Raiders’ lone loss was to host Hamilton, ranked No. 8 in Arizona, 8-7. They also beat Cienega and Highland at the tourney, which ran from Wednesday to Saturday. ‘Iolani returned home Sunday and has nearly a week to recover before playing Mid-Pacific on Saturday.
‘Iolani collected nine of 12 first-place ballots from the panel of coaches and media on Monday to remain at the top spot.
Kaiser (3-0 OIA East) and Maui (3-1 MIL) are in the Top 10 for the first time this spring. Maui upset then-No. 9 Baldwin last week, 12-1.
Star-Advertiser Softball Top 10 Fared Last Week
Mar. 21-26, 2022
Rank School (1st place) Pts LW
1. ‘Iolani (9) (13-1, 2-0 ILH) 117 1
2. (tie) Kamehameha (1) (7-1, 2-1 ILH) 102 2
2. (tie) Kapolei (2) (6-2-1, 3-0 OIA West) 102 3
4. Punahou (7-3, 1-1 ILH) 69 5
5. Maryknoll (9-2, 1-2 ILH) 66 6
6. Leilehua (6-3, 2-1 OIA West) 65 4
7. Campbell (7-4, 1-2 OIA West) 54 7
8. Mililani (8-4, 2-1 OIA West) 41 8
9. (tie) Kaiser (7-3-1, 3-0 OIA East) 12 NR
9. (tie) Maui (8-4, 3-1 MIL) 12 NR
No longer in Top 10: Baldwin (No. 9), Waianae (No. 10).
Also receiving votes: Baldwin 11, Kalani 5, Kealakehe 2, Nanakuli 1, Waianae 1.
