Kaiya Miller’s bases-loaded single scored Palehua Silva from third base for the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning as No. 4 Maryknoll defeated No. 10 Kamehameha 4-3 at Sand Island on Saturday to capture the ILH round-two double-elimination softball tournament and an automatic state-tournament berth.
Maryknoll (15-7 overall), the regular-season runner-up, will play at Punahou on Thursday for the league championship. Punahou was the regular-season (round one) winner.
Kamehameha is still alive in the chase for a state-tournament berth. The Warriors will have a play-in game with the MIL’s third-place team on Friday at 1 p.m. at Patsy T. Mink Field, located on the campus of Maui High.
On paper, the BIIF has the same number of Division I softball teams, but lost out in the HHSAA’s tiebreaker process — the leagues rotate in the event of a three-way tie.
Kamehameha (15-13 overall) had one loss in the ILH tournament and needed to beat Maryknoll twice to secure an automatic state berth. After losing to Maryknoll 11-9 on day one (April 19) of the ILH tournament, the Warriors had to battle back with wins over Mid-Pacific, Punahou and ‘Iolani in a four-day span to seal a spot in the play-in game.
Friday’s in-and-out trip to the Valley Isle is strictly business, Kamehameha coach Mark Lyman said.
“Because, technically, we are not in the state tournament yet.”
The DataHouse/HHSAA Softball State Championships are on May 6-9 at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium and McKinley’s Tiger Softball Stadium.
—
ILH
Saturday
Varsity I Double-Elimination Tournament
Final
At Sand Island Park field
Maryknoll 4, Kamehameha 3, 8 inn.
W—Kasi Cruz (five-hitter, nine strikeouts).
Leading hitters—Mary: Reyni Hiraoka 2-4, 2b, 2 runs; Karly Sapolu 2-4, 2b, 2 RBIs; Kaiya Miller 2-3. KS: Bobbi Cambra 3-4; Maika Kiakona 2b.
Varsity II
At Sand Island Park field
Pac-Five 18, Punahou I-AA 3, 5 inn.
W—Titi Tuifua. Note: Tuifua (three innings) and Samantha Kela combined on a two-hitter with nine strikeouts.
Leading hitters—P5: Quinn Linke HR, 2 RBIs; Sophia Chiavetta 2 runs; Mauiola Zuttermeister 3-4, HR, 3 runs, 3 RBIs; Kaimana Siu 2-2, 2b, 3 runs; Kate Iida 2-2, 2b, HR, 2 runs, 3 RBIs; Nanea Dupont 2 RBIs; Emi Yamane 2-3, 2b, 2 RBIs; Brooklyn Opetaia 2b; Kela 3b. Pun: Grace Washington 2b; Kyla Morimoto 2b.
