Poamai Tuli throws a pitch to the plate for the Na Ali'i. CJ Caraang | SL

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05141505_HU2A0003.jpg - CJ Caraang | SL

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Third-seeded Aiea rolled past Saint Francis, 9-3 in quarterfinals of the DataHouse/Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II Softball State Championships. The Na Alii advance to play second-seeded Waimea at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium at UH-Manoa on Thursday at 3 p.m. The Saints play Kohala at 7 p.m. at McKinley.

Vesi Liilii went 1-for-3, scored one run and had an RBI triple. Poamai Tuli went 1-for-3, an RBI and scored two runs. She pitched a complete game throwing nine strikes and walked five.

"I think our team played well altogether and we battled and brought our bats in the beginning and it helped us a lot," said Tuli. "I have to do what I have to do to maintain the lead and had my defense behind my back."

Aiea jumped out early on Saint Francis as they scored first off of an error in the first and later added five runs on four hits in the bottom of the third to separate themselves from the Saints to take a 6-0 lead. Tiare Guerrero pitched 2.2 innings allowing four hits and six runs—five earned before giving way to Shaye Simms. Simms was called for consecutive illegal pitches that brought in two more runs for the Na Alii. Camryn Chinen pitched the remainder of the game.

"We backed each other up and communicating was the key to the game," said Tuli.

Saint Francis got on the board in the fourth after Tuli walked Simms and she later scored off a throw. Kaitlyn Santos, who went 1-for-2 drove in another run with a double bringing in Korrie Matsumura.

The Na Alii added four more runs in the bottom of the fifth highlighted by Vesi Liilii's home run, but it was later rescinded after a discussion because one of her teammates stepped on the plate to congratulated her prior to her touching home plate. She was credited for a triple RBI instead. Shibata and Tuli scored their second runs of the game.

"We got to push each other and if we want to win a championship, this is how we're to play and this is what we need to get to the championship," said Tuli.

Kolbee Kealoha added another run when she doubled to score Sammie Ofoia for the final score of the game.