Perennial O'ahu Interscholastic Association softball power Mililani positioned itself for yet another state tournament berth yesterday by routing Roosevelt, 13-4, in the first round of the league playoffs yesterday at Stevenson Middle School.
The Trojans, who have qualified for the state tournament every year since at least 1997, improved its OIA record to 6-7 and will travel to Western Division champion Kapolei(10-2) in a 3:30 p.m. quarterfinal today.
In other first-round action yesterday, Wai'anae trounced Moanalua, 12-2, Leilehua blanked Kaimuki, 12-0, and Pearl City defeated Kalani, 6-3. The Wai'anae and Leilehua victories were shortened to six innings due to the 10-run rule.
In today's other quarterfinals, Pearl City (6-7) travels to East champ Castle (11-1), Wai'anae (9-4) will visit East runner-up Kailua (9-3) and Leilehua (6-7) plays at West runner-up Campbell (9-3). All games are scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Mililani has been a mainstay in the state tournament, winning eight OIA titles since 1997, including last year's. But the Trojans graduated a pair of four-time Advertiser All-State first team players in shortstop Courtney Senas and second baseman Kristi Oshiro, in addition to All-State catcher Rebecca Lee.
The Trojans finished fifth in the Western Division with a 5-7, and that's after a 7-6 upset victory over Kapolei on Saturday.
"We're young, we lost almost everybody," Mililani coach Rose Antonio said.
A loss yesterday would have ended the Trojans' season and their streak of at least 15 straight state tournament berths, but they jumped out a quick 5-0 lead on six hits in the top of the first inning. The offense never stopped producing, scoring in every inning after that and finishing with 20 hits.
Mililani starter T.J. Fernandez, meanwhile, surrendered single runs in the first three innings but blanked the Rough Riders (7-6) over the next three as the Trojans built leads of 6-1, 7-2, 9-3, 10-3 and 12-3.
Cheyenne Koki went 5 for 5 with a double, triple and two RBIs, Jade Yadao-Valdez and Chesary Silva each went 3 for 4 with a double and two RBIs, and Toni Baysa went 3 for 5 with a double and three runs scored. Amelia Ariola went 2 for 5 with a double, triple and one RBI and Kanani Lanias went 2 for 3 with an RBI.