Coaches can teach players not to give up on the ball.

But they can’t teach instinct.

A key — and somewhat unexpected — throw by right fielder Shaycelynn Ho’ohuli to first baseman Makana Meyers in the bottom of the seventh ended the game, keeping alive Kapolei’s dream of an Oahu Interscholastic Association Red Division softball title.

The Hurricanes rode the eight-hit, five-strikeout pitching of senior Kacee Navarro and key hits at the right time to hold off Leilehua 6-3 in Friday’s first semifinal at Central Oahu Regional Park. Kapolei (9-6), the fifth seed out of the OIA West, faces Campbell at 7 tonight for the OIA championship.

The Mules (8-7), the West’s third seed, put together a serious threat in the bottom of the seventh. Consecutive singles by Chenoa Au and Titi Kewelo-Cantero opened the inning.

Navarro, pitching her third consecutive day, struck out Sage Sanborn and got Tihani Palomares to pop up to second. Two outs later, Chasity Stalcup drilled a shot to shallow center and, with the runners going, it looked as if Leilehua would close the margin to a run.

Instead, Ho’ohuli made a running grab and fired it perfectly to Meyers just ahead of diving Stalcup to shut down the rally.

"We work on that play but you don’t use it that often," Kapolei coach Tony Saffery said. "She hesitates, she throws it in and they score two. It’s 6-5 and they’re still threatening.

"It was pure instinct to go to first."

"I was so happy that she made the throw," Navarro said. "I think she saved the game."

Catcher Alecia Kupihea had a hand in it as well, making critical saves of Navarro’s risers that could have moved up the Leilehua runners on wild pitches. The Kapolei defense also bailed out Navarro when turning two double plays.

A three-run fourth appeared to give Kapolei a comfortable lead. The Hurricanes used two errors, a hit batter and a pop-up that dropped untouched behind the pitcher’s circle to pull ahead 4-1.

In the fifth, a seeing-eye single by Amayha Dycus scored Emilee Guillermo adding to Kapolei’s cushion.

Leilehua wasn’t done. RBI-singles by Au and Palomares closed the gap to 5-3.

Kapolei closed out the scoring, with Ho’ohuli coming in from third in the middle of a Mules double play.

Campbell 6, Waipahu 3

Freshman Cydney Curran doubled into the gap in left center field in the bottom of the sixth and the two-time defending OIA Champion Sabers returned to the title game.

"We were struggling but we just kept telling the girls to fight back, fight back, and good things will happen," Michael Hermosua said.

Campbell trailed 3-1 with six outs remaining before rallying for five runs in the bottom of the sixth.

The Marauders got the tying run to the plate in the top of the seventh but Summer Palipti forced Tali Viliamu to line out to right field. Campbell’s Chardonay Pantastico made a running catch to end it.

The Sabers are 9-0 in the past three OIA tournaments, outscoring opponents 63-24. They beat Kapolei 4-3 for the title last year.

The Sabres (9-5) spotted the Marauders (8-7) an early 3-0 lead, all of the runs coming Nala Viliamu’s three-run shot over the left-field fence in the top of the first.

OIA RED CONSOLATION

No. 1 Mililani 12, Kailua 0

Joen Baker allowed only two hits and went 2-for-2 with a double and a homer as the Trojans clinched a state berth.

No. 2 Moanalua 12, Pearl City 2, 6 inn.

Leisha Yamauchi had a double and a triple as Na Menehune clinched a state berth. Moanalua will face Mililani for fifth place today.

OIA WHITE SEMIFINALS

Nanakuli 15, McKinley 5, 6 innings

Alexis Paulo Meyers was hot at bat, going 4-for-4 with two home runs as the Golden Hawks dominated the Tigers. Chyanne Koko struck out eight for Nanakuli.

Kaiser 7, Aiea 6, 9 inn.

Kai Hasegawa singled in the bottom of the ninth inning, bringing in Lesieli Aholelei with the winning run, as the Cougars topped Na Alii in nine innings.

ILH

No. 3 Kamehameha 11, No. 7 Mid-Pacific 1, 6 inn.

Chris Hipa had three hits, including a double and a home run, to lead the Warriors past the Owls.

St. Francis 8, Sacred Hearts 5

Rachel Carlos hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to lead the Saints over the Lancers.

Thursday’s result

‘Iolani 14, Pac-Five 10