Junior Misha Carreira (left) turned in 4 2/3 solid innings of work before giving way to senior Aubree Kim (right) in Mililani's down-to-the-wire 3-2 win over Kapolei Saturday night. CJ Caraang | SL

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Don't say Rose Antonio isn't forward-thinking.

The Mililani softball coach had the future in mind — at least, somewhat — when she pegged junior Misha Carreira to start Saturday night's showdown against previously-unbeaten Kapolei at Patsy T. Mink/Central Oahu Regional Park.

As if the circumstances — the game was played under the lights and on live statewide television — weren't enough to test her nerves, it was the first outing of the season for Carreira, who missed a scheduled start against Waianae due to illness.

"We were going to pitch her but she was sick that Monday and then Tuesday we went to Waianae," said Antonio, whose team had 11 days between games due to a Waipahu forfeit Tuesday. "We decided as a staff to let Misha pitch (Saturdya) and our plan was to bring Aubree (Kim) in to close."

Antonio's plan worked almost to perfection.

Carreira was solid for most of the 4 2/3 innings she threw Saturday night. She retired 13 of the first 17 batters she faced and stranded three base runners — all of them in scoring position. She struck out two, walked none and threw first-pitch strikes to 12 of 19 hitters.

"I think she did outstanding; I think she did super, super good," Kim said of Carreira. "I'm sure she was a little nervous. Everybody would probably be nervous, but she did really, really good. It didn't look like it was that hard for her. She made it look really easy."

Kim, a senior and Santa Clara University-signee, is a fourth-year pitcher for the Trojans who has certainly experienced her share of success. She was selected as Gatorade State Player of the Year in 2014 — the same year Mililani won its last state title — and is a two-time All-Hawaii selection.

However, the venerable Kim will graduate in two months, likely leaving the reins in the hands of Carreira.

"She needs to get experience with these types of games also, because we need everybody," Antonio said of Carreira. "We have Aubree and Misha — and we have a third pitcher also — but Aubree and Misha will probably get the load of the innings on the mound."

Carreira recorded nine fly-ball outs and two line-outs, including a pivotal double play to shortstop Maya Yoshiura to help mitigate a Kapolei scoring threat in the top of the second inning.

"Misha did a great job; She really counted on us and we had her back," said Yoshiura, who drove in the game-winning run with her walk-off single in the bottom of the seventh. "She made some really good pitches when it mattered the most and I'm really proud of her for doing that."

Carreira's lone mistake — a two-run home run served up to Hurricanes' leadoff hitter Tayzha Meyers — ended up being her last pitch. She was pulled in the top of the fifth with the game tied at 2. Carreira gave way to Kim, who promptly got Ciena Kauhi to popup to Yoshiura to end the inning.

Kim, who has been a starting pitcher for all of her prep career, seemingly had no problem adjusting to coming out of the bullpen.

"(Pitching coach) Walter (Kaaihili) had talked to me about it before, that I have to learn how to come in in relief because I'm not used to it," Kim said. "I rarely ever do that so it was a little bit different, but I just tried to have the same mentality."

Kim shut the door on the ‘Canes, striking out four of the final six batters she faced. The lone player to reach base — clean-up hitter Sala Pedebone — was erased by catcher Markie Okamoto while attempting to steal second base.

"Aubree is like a safety blanket; We know that we can always count on her," Yoshiura said. "Not to take away from Misha's effort — she did an outstanding job — but it was just a team effort today. Everybody contributed and had each other's backs."

Mililani will next face top-ranked and defending Division I state champion Campbell Tuesday in Ewa Beach. Both teams are 4-0 and tied atop the OIA D1 West standings.

The Sabers clobbered the Trojans by a score of 16-4 in last year's state final. The teams are scheduled to play again on Apr. 23 at Mililani.

First pitch Tuesday is scheduled for 3 p.m.