Pearl City's Noel Saunders connects on a pitch for a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning. Michael Lasquero | SL

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WAIPIO – Power pitching and power hitting propelled Pearl City to a 10-0 win against Nanakuli on a rainy Tuesday night at the Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park.

The Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Division softball season opener was stopped in the sixth inning because of the 10-run differential mercy rule.

Tyanna Kaaialii fired a three-hitter with nine strikeouts for the complete-game victory. She walked three and was backed by some spectacular defense by freshman left fielder Taylor Au, who robbed Golden Hawks of two home runs and made two long-running catches of two foul fly balls, the latter being a diving stab.

The Pearl City right-hander was backed by an 11-hit attack that featured three home runs, including a first-inning solo shot to left by Kaaialii. Senior center fielder Noel Saunders ignited the four-run first with a three-run blast to left-center. Hailey-Alexis Yamaguchi hammered a two-run homer to left-center in a five-run second inning.

"I don't think we're really a power-hitting team," Pearl City coach Chad Obara said. "I think we just made a little good contact today and just so happens the ball went out."

Kaaialii appreciated the offensive support.

"It definitely felt great," Kaaialii said. "Definitely made me feel comfortable, a little bit more smooth and a little bit more relaxed. I knew my team had my back and provide offensively to pitch a good ball game.

Au, who started the game as the flex, meaning a designated player bats for her, did get to bat in the sixth and showed she could provide more than defense. She led off with a double, stole third and scored on Kylie Tasaki's sacrifice fly to center to end the game.

Nanakuli lead-off hitter Kaila Burnett started the game with a fly to deep left, but Au reached up to make the catch while falling against the mesh fence. After Cheyenne Lute walked, Keani Brown-Nahinu lofted a foul fly that Au tracked down after a long run for the second out.

"I'm definitely taking her out for ice cream," laughed Kaaialii about her left fielder. "I knew she had my back. I knew all my defenders had my back. Today, she was on it and on top of her game."

Au stole a homer from Lute in the fifth inning basically the same way she did off of Burnett's fly. In the sixth, Au made a diving catch off a foul fly to left by Mahina Piilani.

"She's a solid player," coach Obara said of Au. "Grew up playing little league. Always played good defense and always swung the bat. She's a nice addition."

Coach Obara said he has about 12 players he can use regularly in the batting lineup so Au will get more chances bat.

"The plan is to platoon some players in and out," Obara said. "She's in the plan."

The shy Au was just happy to make a contribution.

"It felt great," she said. "I just wanted to help my team out."

Au is one of four freshmen on the team. Jade McFarland started in right field, batting second in the order and reached base twice, stealing two bases. Senior Darian Obara also had two steals.

It was a rough night for the Golden Hawks, who are making their Division I debut after winning the OIA D2 titles in four of the past five seasons.

Starting pitcher Cranci Kamaka was roughed up for 10 runs with only five being earned because of four errors behind her. Kamaka had one of her team's three hits. Burnett and Lute each had a single.

The Chargers wasted little time against Kamaka, tagging the right-hander for four runs in the first.

With on down, McFarland singled and stole second before Darian Obara walked. Saunders then ripped a 1-1 pitch over the left-center field fence to put the Chargers up 3-0. An out later, Kaaialii homered to left to make it 4-0.

The Golden Hawks committed four errors in the Chargers' five-run second, including two on one play. Big blows of the inning were Yamaguchi's two-run homer and Saunders' sacrifice fly that gave her four RBI in the game.