Freshman Christen Horita allowed just one run in her varsity debut on the mound. Spencer Honda | SL

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Although it was the first time in a long while that Cherise Horita wasn't on the mound for Falcons, coach Kellet Hussey re-affirmed that she is still their No. 1 pitcher. Spencer Honda | SL Spencer Honda | SL

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Mari Kimoto went the distance for Moanalua and allowed two earned runs and two walks but struck out three batters. Spencer Honda | SL Spencer Honda | SL

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SALT LAKE — Freshman Christen Horita pitched a complete game with just one run allowed while senior Cherise Horita knocked a two-RBI triple as part of a four-run fifth inning that propelled Kalani through Moanalua, 4-1, in both team's Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I East season opener Tuesday afternoon at Na Menehune's home field.

Both teams had six hits each and put on a great display of defense that held the game scoreless through four complete innings. 

Kady Ann Okamura brought in the Falcons' game-winning run on a bunt to first base with the throw home off-line to score Pulisa Keovichith from third. Cherise Horita then tripled to right-center field to bring home her sister — who reached on a single to center field — and Okamura for two more runs. Cherise Horita then scored on a ground out from Jessie Taketa.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Moanalua's Kellie Kitano-Maguire and Raven Rosa-Lasco bunched a pair of singles to get a run back, but Kalani second baseman Shandi Matsumoto snagged Lilinoe Nihi's lined shot and shortstop Cherise Horita sealed up a ground ball to mitigate the threat.

In the final frame, Christen Horita sat down two batters before inducing a ground out to end the game and seal the victory.

"I was kind of nervous. Like my hands were sweaty, that's why I kept picking up dirt. I didn't want to mess up," Christen Horita said about her six-strikeout performance in her first varsity game.

"JV was a lot different than varsity because I feel varsity is a lot more intense and faster, since we're in D1 too. It's a big change, I guess," she continued.

Christen Horita got work in the fall during the junior varsity season, pitching in 11 games and finishing 2-5 with a 5.826 earned run average.

While older sister and reigning All-OIA Division II Player of the Year Cherise Horita had pitched in almost every one of the Falcons' games the three previous years, Kalani coach Kellet Hussey felt the senior is needed more on defense at shortstop. 

Mari Kimoto went the distance for Moanalua and allowed two earned runs and two walks but struck out three batters. Spencer Honda | SL

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Mari Kimoto got the loss on the mound for Moanalua but put in a solid seven innings with three strikeouts and only two walks allowed.

In the top of the seventh, Kimoto got herself out of a one-out bases loaded jam by inducing a ground out and then getting a backwards 'K' to keep her team within striking distance going into the bottom half of the inning.

"She did awesome. One timely good hit and that was it," Moanalua coach Dean Oshiro said. "Good pitching, good defense. That's all we can ask for. It's still early in the season."

Kimoto is one of two returning players who got prominent playing time on the mound last season for the Menes. The other was fellow-junior Jada Young, but she only recently returned to practice from an injury.

Na Menehune (0-1) will travel to Kaiser (1-0) next on Saturday while the Falcons (1-0) will take on Roosevelt (1-0), who defefeated Kaimuki, 34-2, in the Rough Riders' season opener.