Na Menehune have won their last two games and hold a one-game lead on the Knights, who have dropped two straight contests. ScoringLive photo illustration

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Neither Jon Berinobis, nor Kristie Morikawa are taking things for granted this softball season. The respective head coaches at Castle and Moanalua have both dealt with some adversity — and youth.

Na Menehune (4-3) and the Knights (3-4) are fourth and fifth, respectively, and just a game apart in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I East standings.

Castle, which has lost two straight and three of its last four, is coming off a 9-0 loss to Kaiser Thursday. It was the second loss to the Cougars this season and the first time the Knights have been shutout in a game.

Still, Berinobis is optimistic moving forward.

"We did a whole lot better this time around than the last time," Berinobis said, referring to a season-opening 10-1 to Kaiser nearly a month ago. "Last time we were in the double figures in strikeouts. This time we put the ball in play, it was just right at them. We made contact, which was a good sign and our strikeouts were down."

Berinobis doesn't have the luxury of a bench or even a single substitute as there are just nine players on the Knights' roster.

"Well, actually we struggled to field a team," Berinobis said. "In our first game against Kaiser we almost forfeited, because one of our girls was still in wrestling, so we filled in with a girl from tennis —her sister is one of our players — to help us play that game."

That's the just the tip of the iceberg for Berinobis.

"We have to play some younger girls," Berinobis said. "Some of our girls are playing softball for the first time and they're helping us get by. Aside from the five seniors, we have some very young underclassmen. We have a freshman pitcher and a left fielder that hasn't played softball before."

Darrien Dacosin, a senior second baseman, batted 3 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs to lead Castle to a 15-5 win over Moanalua the first time they met back on March 10.

"She's been carrying a hot bat for us and has been the most productive offensively," Berinobis said of Dacosin.

Moanalua, which has won two straight — both in mercy-rule fashion — and is coming off a 10-0 shutout of Kaimuki Thursday.

It's indicative of just how far Na Menehune pitching has come around this year.

"Last year we had three senior pitchers, so coming into this season pitching was a big question mark for us," Morikawa said.

Morikawa has turned to a trio of fresh faces in the pitching circle in Kyler Tsukada, a freshman, Jordan Snow, who mostly played designated hitter as a sophomore last year, and Shanelle Lum, a converted volleyball player.

"They'll throw half games or pick each other up when one falls," Morikawa said. "We were really worried, but they're committed and they work hard."

Moanalua lost "seven or eight" starters to graduation last year and has seven freshman on the roster this season.

"It's a bunch of new kids and we're feeling our way through things and we're learning their tendencies and finding the right combinations," Morikawa said. "Them trying to figure out how to work with each other is what we're aiming for, because like we tell them, we don't have to be great until the playoffs, so it's coming together and we're getting better."

Na Menehune are relying on a pair of returning starters in Makamae Kaleikini and Taylor Takushi to lead the way. Kaleikini, a third baseman/catcher, is batting over .500 and had a five-RBI game against McKinley Saturday, while Takushi, a centerfielder, is batting well over .600 and had back-to-back three-hit games last week.

A third returning starter, Dior Motas, has been slow to return from an injury sustained during soccer season.

Morikawa also said the offense is coming around.

"(Friday) we worked on situational hitting, because that's been hurting us," Morikawa said. "Kids have good intentions and they go up there wanting to hit the crap out of the ball and it results in a popup, so we're working on another level of how to help us instead of just trying to hit the ball hard."

Na Menehune share the field with the baseball team, which doesn't always allow for as much practice time that's needed, but can be a teaching tool nonetheless, Morikawa said.

"A lot of times we're stuck watching the baseball game, but it's good because we watch together and learn together and with seven freshman this year, that's never something I had to think about or say the past two years, so this is good for us for us coaches, too, because we're teaching this year and re-learning everything."

Morikawa hopes the growth will pay off against Castle Saturday.

"I really do think the last time we played them we were a different team," Morikawa said. "Every day we grow up more and the kids take one more thing away. I feel we can compete with anybody, especially on the East side. I recall their middle infielders and their defense was tough, so it could go either way."

Last time the teams met, the Knights jumped out to an 8-0 lead after three innings.

"This time around might be different," Berinobis said. "We had a good start and we kept the pressure on, so it was hard for them to come back last time. This time they might pitch us a little different, so hopefully we have that same kind of offensive punch and we play the same kind of defense. (Saturday's) game is important for us to make a run at that third or fourth spot in the East."

First pitch between visiting Castle and host Moanalua is set for 10 a.m.