OIA Softball
Mililani rallies to upend Campbell to stay unbeaten


  



Tue, May 11, 2021 @ [ 6:30 pm ]


FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Mililani 1 0105211090
Campbell 1 4 001006145

W: Dani Monroe    L: Taryn Irimata

CAMP: Paige Nakashima 3-4 2 runs 2 rbi HR; Taryn Irimata 7.0 IP 8 ER 10 K
MIL: Jordan Okumura 2-3 4 runs 2 dbl; Dani Monroe 5.0 IP 1 ER 7 K


KAKAAKO—A five-run fifth inning helped lift Mililani past Oahu Interscholastic Association West foe Campbell, 10-6, at McKinley Tiger Softball Stadium Tuesday.

The Trojans improved to 5-0 on the season while the Sabers suffered their first loss and dropped to 4-1-2.

"It's always a great game especially against Campbell. They're a great team. For the kids, it's always a good, fun game and it's always competitive," Mililani coach Rose Antonio said.

The Trojans drew first blood as leadoff hitter Jordan Okamura doubled. The Sabers proceeded to get the next two outs, but Taryn Irimata's error gave Mililani a 1-0 after Okamura scored.

Paige Nakashima answered for Campbell as she cranked a solo home run to left field to tie the game at 1.

The Sabers opened the a scoring run in the bottom of the second inning. Joie Baker struck out Jasmine Ribac but Jaeda Abcede, Jayda Favela, and Cairah Curran followed up with singles. Abcede was caught stealing second for the second out. Nakashima brought in a run and Kaiana Kong added a double. Jayla Stephens and Lorraine Alo each drove in runs for a 5-1 Saber lead after two complete innings.

Okamura reached on an error to begin the third inning, then advanced to second on another error, and later scored off of Cierra Yamamoto's hit to center field as the Trojans trailed, 5-2.

Okamura drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third on Yamamoto's double to right field that set up Kennedy Kila's home run blast to center field to tie the game at 5 that set off a chain reaction. Mackenzie Kila added a line drive to left and Jackie Kirkpatrick crushed a two RBI home run to give Mililani a 7-5 lead.

"We made some adjustments and saw the ball more. The home runs started going over. Kennedy and then Jackie, it was a domino effect when you have those kinds of hits and it's a good contagious feeling," Antonio said of the fifth inning.

"The first pitch, I knew I was going to swing automatically. But then I fouled it off. The other pitch, it was down the middle and I knew I had to pull through for my team. It's such a big game and it was a team win," Kirkpatrick said of her first home run of the season.

Raquel Thomas led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a single to left field and advanced to second on Abcede's grounder. Favela's bunt loaded the bases and Thomas scored on a fielder's choice. Nakashima was intentionally walked to load the bases, but Mililani came away unscathed to as third baseman Chenoa Cainglit threw it home to Kirkpatrick for the inning ending out to prevent Abcede from tying up the game.

Okamura hit her second double of the game and Yamamoto reached on an error. Mackenzie Kila's double to center plated Okamura and Yamamoto to give Mililani breathing room.

Cainglit brought in the game's final run with a sacrifice fly to center field.

Abcede flew out to left field and Favela's base hit gave the Sabers a glimmer of hope. Monroe struck out Curran and Nakashima flew out to right to end the game.

Joie Baker started in the circle scattering eight hits, striking out four and walking two in two innings of work. Dani Monroe picked up where Baker left off and pitched five innings, scattering five Saber hits striking out seven and walking two to get the win for the Trojans.

"She did a great job for us," Antonio said of Monroe. "She was hitting her spots. She helped us a great deal."

"I think she did awesome, a pitcher's job is super hard. For her to throw strikes like that, it was a good job for her and I'm proud to be her catcher," Kirkpatrick said.

The Sabers committed five errors for the game while the Trojans were error-free.

Irimata struck out 10 batters, walked two, and scattered nine hits in the loss

With no OIA playoffs or state tournament, Mililani hosts Kaiser (5-1) to close out the spring season on Saturday, May 15. First pitch is approximately 10:00 AM.

"We're very grateful. I feel for our seniors today. Last year they had a quarter season last year and a quarter season this year. For me, it's what they want, I'm all for them," Antonio said.

"We're ecstatic about it and we're so thankful that we have this opportunity to play together as a team and to win as a team. We can reform bonds we made last year and make connections," Kirkpatrick said.

Campbell travels to Stevenson Middle School to take on Roosevelt (4-3) to wrap up the season on the same morning.



Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].




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