Run-scoring singles by Taylor Rosa-Ramon, Daylene Antonio and Gerika Pantohan spurred a three-run eighth-inning as No. 5-ranked Campbell escaped with a 7-4 victory over top-ranked Mililani yesterday at the Trojans’ field.
The win was Campbell’s second in five days against its rival in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red West. The Sabers are 7-0 and Mililani fell to 4-2.
Campbell ace Katie Manuma gutted out a tough win despite suffering an ankle injury midway through the game.
“She’s all busted up, but she battled,” Campbell coach David Perreira said. “She’s a true warrior.”
In Perreira’s 10 seasons as a head and assistant coach, Campbell didn’t win on Mililani’s field until yesterday.
“This was very important,” said Manuma, who had ice taped to her knee and shoulder after the game. “We never could win here. It was always the last inning.”
With Manuma’s injury slowing down her fastball, the Sabers had a 4-3 lead entering the bottom of the seventh when the Trojans scored the tying run on a technicality.
With two Trojans on base and Andi Felise at the plate, Campbell opted to walk Felise. However, on the second pitchout, Campbell catcher Summer Palipti was ruled out of the box, which is a catcher’s balk by rule, and Kristi Oshiro scored from third base for the Trojans.
“That’s a coach’s error,” Perreira said. “I thought (Palipti) was in, but (the umpire) said she was outside. Coach’s error.”
Manuma then struck out Candice Matsuda for the last out of the inning.
The Sabers answered with a walk and five singles in the top of the eighth off Mililani pitcher T.J. Fernandez.
“We could’ve put our heads down, but Katie bounced back and we came out the next inning banging,” Perreira said.
Paul Honda, Star-Bulletin
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