Softball

Here we go with the Final Four of Hawaii high school softball in Divisions I and II at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. Still one of my favorite places in the world to see a sport. Everything is so close and compact here. The Division II final four begins with OIA champion Kalani and BIIF champion Kamehameha-Hawaii. St. Francis 8, Konawaena 7, final The Saints score one run in the sixth and four in the seventh to rally for the big […]

She can pitch. She can hit for average. She can hit for power. Some nights, Kaena Nistal does all three. Here’s how her list of plate appearances transpired on Wednesday night when Leilehua met Maryknoll in the quarterfinal round of the DataHouse/HHSAA Softball State Championships. >> Walk >> Three-run home run >> Walk >> Two-run single >> Walk Toss in two perfect innings of relief and the Mules’ 10-5 win over the ILH champion Spartans may have been the most […]

It was a wild, primal clash between familiar foes, and as often is the case, the dynastic Campbell Sabers prevailed. Barely. Three-time defending state champion Campbell needed to put out the fire in the seventh with Pearl City at bat, down three runs with the bases loaded. Campbell escaped with a 10-7 win to advance to the semifinal round of the DataHouse/HHSAA Softball State Championships. The teams met twice during the regular season with the Sabers (14-2) winning both times […]

For quite some time, the Mililani Trojans were nearly the forgotten powerhouse of the OIA West. While Campbell, Leilehua and Kapolei got headlines and attention, deservedly so, the Trojans were battling to find a way to the promised land. They’re doing just that now. With a 4-3 win over BIIF champion Waiakea (17-1), Mililani (11-7) is playing as well as any team in the DataHouse/HHSAA Softball State Championships at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. A team that was in and out […]

Another tussle. Another runaway. The Punahou Buffanblu have learned so much in the past few seasons, but never got through the ILH gauntlet to qualify for the state tourney. Now, with a come-from-behind 10-4 quarterfinal win over MIL champion Lahainaluna, Punahou is in the semifinal round. Ashanti Martinez went 2-for-3 with an RBI, D’Asha Saika was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a double, and after popping up twice against Lunas ace Seraya Casco, Bailey Akimseu homered for the second day […]

Four of the remaining eight teams in Division I of the DataHouse/HHSAA State Softball Championships reside in the mighty OIA West. Mililani, Leilehua, Pearl City and No. 1 overall seed and three-time defending state champion Campbell will try to punch their ticket to the semifinals in Day 2 of the tournament beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. Updates on each game will follow below. Division I Campbell 10, Pearl City 7, F The three-time defending champion Sabers […]

They have one of the longest pre-game drives in the state tourney, but the mighty Mules of Leilehua can’t help enjoying the ride. The ride from Wahiawa to Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium on Tuesday was all about business, but getting out of class to arrive in time for a 2 p.m. game was probably a bit surreal. Coach Wendell Au says there’s a lot of communication involved for teachers and players alike. It’s a good problem, for sure. The Mules […]

All season long, the Pearl City Chargers plugged away, taking a lump here and there, but staying close to the top in the ruthless OIA West. Tonight, they are in the elite eight of the DataHouse/HHSAA Softball State Championships. “We feel very fortunate,” Pearl City coach Chad Obara said. “A lot of them are playing in the state tournament for the first time. We expected them to come out nervous. We told them to try and welcome it instead of […]