Saints slug Wolfpack in mercy rule win

Kaena Keliinoi sends a two-RBI double to centerfield in the bottom of the fourth inning. The junior catcher went 2 for 4 at the plate with four runs batted in on the evening. Spencer Honda | SL

KAKAAKO — The top Division II power hitting team in Hawaii did what they do best.

Saint Francis slugged 11 hits with four home runs in a 17-3 mercy rule win over PAC-5 Thursday evening in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu D2 tilt at McKinley Tigers Softball Stadium.

Kaena Keliinoi led the Saints with a 2-for-4 outing at the plate, adding two RBIs each in a home run and a double.

Three other Saints players logged two hits on the evening with Hailey Matsumura going 2 for 3, Sammie Ofoia batting 2 for 2 and Kolbee Kealoha hitting 2 for 3. Ofoia and Kealoha also slammed home runs.

The other home run came courtesy of Jordyn Lono.

PAC-5 prevented the shutout with three runs scored in the final frame of the game.

Kaiulani Harrington singled in a run and Camryn Okada and Mailani Dias each added RBI groundouts.

Dias was the losing pitcher in the effort, giving up seven earned runs off six hits in 2/3 of an inning of work. Brenna Yoshioka went 2-1/3 innings in relief and Kayln Kershner closed it out with one inning.

Sierrah Kupihea got the win in the pitching circle for the Saints.

One of the big highlight plays of the game came in the bottom of the fourth inning when Wolfpack centerfielder Harrington robbed Kealoha of a laser shot headed over the fence. Harrington tracked down the catch and fell over the collapsible fence while securing the out.

Saint Francis extended its win streak to five games and improved to a 5-2 record. They'll play Punahou (5-2) on Saturday, March 31 at 2 p.m. at Ala Wai Field.

PAC-5 plays at Kamehameha (5-2) on Monday, April 2 at 4 p.m.