Konawaena shortstop Andi Uemura catches Aiea's Mikelle Gonzales trying to steal second base. Michael Lasquero | SL

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_18050857_Kona.jpg - Michael Lasquero | SL

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Down go the champs.

An uncaught strikeout led to five unearned runs in the top of the seventh as Konawaena rallied past defending state champ Aiea, 7-3, Tuesday afternoon at McKinley's Tiger Softball Stadium in the opening round of the DataHouse/HHSAA Division II Softball Championships.

The Wildcats move on to face top-seeded Kapaa Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. in the quarterfinals.

Konawaena leadoff batter Rachel Sato struck out for what would have been the second out of the top of the seventh, but reached on the dropped ball. A sacrifice bunt by Andi Uemura and an intentional walk to Shaylann Marie Grace set up Jayla Medeiros' two-run single to give Konawaena a 4-3 lead.

Kaimana Joy Manzano, who went 3-for-4 at the plate, doubled to plate Medeiros and Erin Kaimuola-Bates drilled a two-run home run for the final scores of the game.

Grace scattered 10 hits in a complete game effort to earn the win in the circle.

Aiea's Trinity Atuatasi hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth to give Na Alii a 3-2 lead after six innings.