Campbell's Jocelyn Alo fist bumps Campbell coach Shag Hermosura as she round third after hitting a three-run homer. Steve Erler | SL

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KAKAAKO — Jocelyn Alo hit a three RBI home run and Danielle Cervantes threw nine strikeouts to help Campbell rebound from a disappointing loss to defeat Mililani, 5-2 in a Oahu Interscholastic Association West contest at McKinley's Tiger Softball Stadium.

"It feels good to come back and win. But it's always onto the next and never dwell on the past," said Alo.

The Sabers improve to 4-1 while the Trojans fall to 3-2 in the Division I West standings.

Campbell put the 2-1 loss against Pearl City on March 14 in the rear view mirror and came out swinging. Literally.

Trinity Favela led off with a single to right and Alesia Ranches walked. Alo came in to blast a 2-1 pitch over the left field fence for three runs. Two batters later, Cienna Curran singled and Caisha Nunes brought in Curran with a double for a 4-0 lead.

"It came over the white of the plate, I just took it and I happened to hit it out," said Alo, the University of Oklahoma signee.

"They're young, but they execute their plays. I'm happy for them because they work hard in the field day by day," said Campbell coach Shag Hermosura.

Favela scored her second run of the game after Ranches popped a double to left field and advanced on the throw in the top of the second inning for their last run of the game.

However Misha Carreira and the Trojans' defense settled down after that and made the adjustments to keep the Sabers scoreless the rest of the way. The Sabers got six of their eight hits in the first two innings, but were held to only two hits in the next four innings.

"They kept the fight and adjusted. Misha settled down, but we came up short. She settled down and we had four scoreless innings and that was a good sign," said Mililani coach Rose Antonio.

"They are a great team, they lost a lot of seniors, but they're great. It's a 5-2 game and this is how games are supposed to be instead of blow outs," said Hermosura, on Mililani.

Carreira struck out seven and walked four and all five Saber runs were earned in the loss.

Cervantes threw six of her nine strikes in the first three innings and threw two more in the seventh. She walked one batter and the two Mililani runs were earned and withstood the pressure after the Trojans loaded the bases in the sixth.

"She came back with fire in her eyes and she wanted it. She hit her spots well and it's part of the game, but she's not going to strike out everybody, but she's going to do her best and the fielders have to work. They work hard behind her and give her confidence on the mound," said Hermosura, on Cervantes.

"Dani is going to execute pitches and I know the defense is going to back her up so we played our game," added Alo.

Tarah Aniya, who had all of Mililani's two hits of the game, led off the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run.

Mililani gained momentum to start the sixth inning. Jerae Keliikoa and Maya Saneishi each singled and Aniya walked to load the bases. Maya Yoshiura flew out to center for the first out. Cervantes was called for two illegal pitches which resulted in a run. However, she got out of the jam as she struck out Mama Rivera and Markie Okamoto grounded out to second to prevent further damage.

"She picks up dirt and throws it down and wipes her hand, but I don't think she grabs the dirt and puts it in her glove. She grabbed dirt and apparently put it in her glove. If he (the third base umpire), sees that then it's our mistake and we're going to make adjustments," said Hermosura, on the illegal pitches.

"I thought the momentum was coming to us," said Antonio.

Campbell plays Nanakuli (1-4) on March 21, while Mililani plays Pearl City (5-0) on the same afternoon.