No. 4 Campbell's two 5-run innings sink No. 10 Waianae

Brian Bautista | SL

WAIANAE - Taryn Irimata pitched five strong innings and was backed by two five-run innings and No. 4 Campbell routed No. 10 Waianae, 11-0, Tuesday in a softball game that ended after five innings because of the 10-run differential mercy rule at the Seariders' field.

Both teams are 1-1 in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I Western Division.

Irimata faced three batters over the minimum, allowing two singles and a walk with nine strikeouts in the complete-game victory. She credits her catcher, Paige Nakashima, for doing the little things that make it comfortable for her to pitch.

"She frames (pitches) well and she sets up well enough for me to where to pitch the ball without giving it away to the batters," Irimata said.

The Sabers, who dropped their season opener to Leilehua, 3-2, this past Saturday, brought their bats to the Leeward Coast. Cairah Curran and Nakashima each had three hits to lead Campbell's 12-hit attack. Liea Duropan drove in three runs, while Nakashima, Iritmata and Kaiana Kong added two RBIs each.

After taking a 1-0 lead on Nakashima's single in the first, the Sabers sent nine batters to the plate in five-run second and third innings.

"We definitely got our bats going more," Irimata said of the difference from the team's loss to Leilehua. "That's what we worked more on at practice - hitting."

Irimata kept the game in control. The only threat the Seariders mounted was in the third. Jahleizjahann Stevens-Somildam flared a single to right and an out later, took second when Alize Tangaro-Smith walked. Stevens-Somildam was the only Searider to reach second base. The only other hit the Seariders mustered was sharp hit grounder by Brylee Rose DeMello off of Irimata's glove in the fourth.

Waianae starting pitcher Charlee Rose Stevens was tagged for all 11 runs (nine earned) in two-plus innings. Kehaulani Tambaoan-Kaeo restored order with three scoreless innings and four strikeouts, but the damaged had already been done.

Campbell resumes play Saturday when it travels to Kapolei No. 2 Kapolei, while the Seariders host No. 6 Mililani.

Campbell and Pearl City will be visitors for all their games until further notice. Both of their home fields are under renovations.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at [email protected].