The Golden Hawks will host Na Alii Saturday in a rematch of last year's OIA and state championship games. ScoringLive photo illustration

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Fans expecting a potential title game preview will have to curb back their expectations when Nanakuli and Aiea squares off this weekend.

Nanakuli, winners of the past three Division II state championships, will host Aiea Saturday morning in a rematch of last year's Oahu Interscholastic Association and state title games.

Na Alii got a 16-1 five-inning win over Kahuku in their season opener, but saw three players go down with a knee injury during and after the game, including All-Hawaii First Team pitcher Poamai Tuli. Aiea coach Alan Higuchi said the junior ace suffered her injury in practice this week and is still waiting on results from a bone specialist.

"At this point we're just trying to get through the game without any more injuries, that's my main concern," said Higuchi. "We're going to do certain things that minimize that, not doing too much stealing or anything like that to put the girls at risk."

Second baseman Jaenah Padasdao and utility Trinity Atuatasi are the other two players with a knee injury. Tilena Lautolo is also nursing a groin injury that held her out of the contest against the Red Raiders.

Higuchi will look to returnees Chantelle Shimabukuro, Tesi Tavale, Taira Shibata and Rayna Higuchi to shoulder the load through this early adversity. 

Shimabukuro, who led the team in hits as a freshman two years ago, will move over from shortstop to replace Tuli in the circle. Tavale will trade in her catcher's mitt to play shortstop while Shibata comes over from right field to play first base.

On a more positive note, coach Higuchi sees this as an opportunity to get some of his reserves more experience for a potential postseason run.

"It's a chance for our supporting cast to get some playing time. Hopefully we can build some depth along the way," he said.

While the Golden Hawks aren't facing the same injury woes as Aiea, they do know what it's like to to be without their returning ace as All-Hawaii First Team pitcher Cheyenne Lute tries her hand at baseball this season.

Going against Shimabukuro in the circle will be sophomore Chalyssa-Ann Belford, who had two strikeouts in the Golden Hawks' season-opening win at Radford. She also had a solid day at the plate going 2 for 4 with three RBIs.

"She has a good demeanor on the mound," said Nanakuli coach Ricky Gusman. "She's not an overpowering pitcher, but she spins it well."

The Golden Hawks plated just one run through the first two innings against the Rams, but caught fire in the third and fourth innings to win it by the 10-run mercy rule, 15-1.

"When we do start hitting the ball, it's contagious. We just need somebody to start the ignition" said Gusman. "It's like if you have a candle and someone else has a candle. You light their candle … and then they light someone else's … and then pretty soon everyone's candle is light up and everyone is firing on all cylinders."

Although his team has been the perennial power in Division II the past few years, Gusman makes sure his team takes it one game at a time.

"The theme for this year's season carries over from last year, which is to be humble and keep working hard. Basically it's staying grounded and playing and respecting the game the way it's supposed to be respected."

First pitch is slated for 10 a.m.