Kochi's walk-off home run sends Mililani past Kapolei


Brandon Ching | SL

Kolbi Kochi's walk off-bomb over the centerfield fence was the difference as No. 6 Mililani outlasted No. 5 Kapolei, 14-13, at McKinley's Tiger Softball Stadium Saturday.

The junior first baseman went 4-for-4 from the plate and had four RBIs to help the Trojans win their third-straight game to improve to 3-1 in the OIA West.

The Hurricanes dropped their third-straight game to fall to 1-3 in the OIA West standings.

Kapolei tied up the game at 13 after Maka Flores' double to right field to plate Madelyn Gabaylo. Kandi Malama-Ahlo's punt popped up and was snagged by Kauhi Garcia for the second out. Jayla Stephens walked but Kayara Tuiloma popped out to send it to the bottom of the seventh inning.

Kamryn Aoki grounded out to Malama-Ahlo for the first out, but Kochi took the first pitch and sent it over the fence. Flores had a piece of the ball in a diving attempt but could not complete the catch to end the game.

Erika Wannomae was credited for the win after pitching 2 1/3 innings despite scattering four hits, four runs were earned and walking three.

Malama-Ahlo was tagged with the loss with 6 1/3 innings pitched and scattered 16 hits, 14 runs were earned as she walked four and struck out three.

Kochi got the Trojans on the scoreboard with two runs in the third inning after a hard grounder.

The Hurricanes took advantage of errors after Chenoa Cainglit and Flores were able to tie the game at 2. Stephens added a single and moved to third on Tuiloma's double. Stephens scored on the third error in the frame and Tuiloma moved to third. Tuiloma plated another run off Hayden Imai's bunt for a 4-2 lead.

Faced with two outs, Aoki's RBI single brought the Trojans within a run. Kochi was intentionally walked to load the bases to set up Garcia. She took the first strike then cranked a grand slam to center field to put Mililani ahead, 7-4.

Kapolei answered with five runs of their own in the fifth that was sparked by Cainglit's solo home run to lead off the inning. After getting two outs, Stephens reached on error and Tuiloma followed up with a double. Jashia-Lee Hernando brought in a run to get within one and Imai's doubled stayed within the left foul line to put Kapolei up, 8-7. Logan Sanford plated Imai for a 9-7 lead to force a pitching change for Mililani.

Flores drew a lead off walk in the top of the sixth, stole second, and got to third before Stephens brought her in. Tuiloma padded the lead to five with a two RBI home run to center field.

Mililani chipped away with four consecutive hits to get back in the game. Taryn Hirano led off the bottom of the sixth with a triple, Aoki, Kochi, and Garcia followed up with singles that manufactured to two runs. Two timely doubles made the difference. Taneialee Simanu's double brought the Trojans within a run and faced with two outs, CC Cubi doubled for a 13-12 lead and never looked back.

Tuiloma finished 3 for 5 from the plate with three runs, a pair of doubles, and a home run.

Up next for the Trojans is a home game against current division leader No. 2 Campbell (4-0) on Mar. 21 while the Hurricanes look to get back into the win column to face Leilehua (1-3).

Both teams will face each other again on Apr. 11.



Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].