The Interscholastic League of Honolulu's Division I softball regular season winds to close this week, fans of ILH softball will be treated to some pre-tournament drama in the form of the ILH D1's single-elimination tournament starting April 30 and concluding May 1.

In true win-or-go-home fashion, the playoff pits the second through sixth place teams in Division I play in a three day sprint that is a great simulator of the state tournament that follows just days later.

And beyond the simulative aspects, the larger prize at stake is of course the ILH's second berth to the Datahouse Division I State Softball Championships.

Here are some brief capsules of the six Division I schools in the ILH, and some key players that might play a role in helping them punch a ticket to compete from May 7-10 at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

KAMEHAMEHA WARRIORS (12-2) - Wins at home against Division II teams Pac-Five and Saint Francis are all that remain between Kamehameha and an outright regular season title, and with it an automatic state berth. The Warriors have been nothing short of dominant, posting shutouts in 6 of their 12 wins, while allowing just 24 runs all season. Christine Hipa has been an extra-base machine, with 6 doubles, a triple and 5 home runs thus far, a perfect complement to the steady pitching of Kamalani Dung. The sophomore is 9-2 as a starter this year, with a 1.39 ERA and a near 3:1 strikeout to walk ratio (75 Ks, 29 BBs).

MARYKNOLL (12-3) - Maryknoll's three losses have come by a total of 7 points, thanks in large part to the pitching of Shearyna Labasan, who is 11-2 as a starter. Labasan has also been deadly at the dish, hitting well over .500 with double digits in runs and RBIs to go along with 4 doubles and a 3 home runs. Battery mate Carolann Toyama has some offensive pop as well, hitting .484 with 8 runs and 18 RBIs. The Spartans can finish the regular season on a three-game winning streak with a win over Iolani on Tuesday at Ala Wai, assuring at least a tie for second place with Punahou.

PUNAHOU (11-3) - The Buffanblu have not lost a game since a 4-0 loss to Maryknoll on March 27, posting wins against four Division I opponents in a row, including a 5-3 win over Kamehameha. Punahou is next-to-last amongst ILH D1 schools in scoring with 79 runs scored, but have only allowed 31 to the opposition. Pitcher Jaci Young has been stellar in her senior year, with two no-hitters thrown en route to a 10-2 record. Sophomore Sarah Sumida has driven in 12 runs and speedy senior Thlalen Masada has 5 stolen bases on the year.

IOLANI (9-6) - The Raiders are second in ILH Division I in runs scored (125) but also in runs allowed (74), and are riding a three-game win streak heading into a home finale against the Spartans Tuesday. Seniors Alyssa Liilii (11 runs, 11 RBIs) and Ula Reis-Moniz (14 runs, 18 RBIs, 3 2Bs, 3 HRs) along with Alex Masaquel (14 runs, 20 RBIs, 3 2Bs, 5 HRs), back after missing her junior campaign with an injury, form an offensive trio as good as any in the state. Iolani will need consistency from pitcher Taylor Garcia-Perreira (4-6 as a stater) in order to make a playoff run.

MID-PACIFIC (8-6) - The defending Division I state champion Owls have been reeling as of late, with double digit losses to both Kamehameha and Punahou. But don't count out Mid-Pac just yet. A bevy of players from last year's title winning squad remain, led by sophomores Nicole Lopez (.412 BA, 8 runs, 11 RBI, 3 HRs) and Jenna Kumabe (.563 BA, 14 runs, 7 RBI). Along with Junior Taylor Ann Oda, who leads the team in doubles (4) and has 8 runs and 8 RBIs on the season and senior pitcher Kayla Au (7-5 as a starter), who has pitched well in spurts, Mid-Pacific is not going to be taken lightly by anyone.

SACRED HEARTS (4-12) - The Lancers' four wins may have come against Division II foes, but Sacred Hearts has fared well against their D1 counterparts, with tough losses to Mid-Pacific (6-5), Maryknoll (4-2) and Punahou (2-0) that could have gone the other way. Senior pitcher Joryn Waracka (1-11) has been the workhorse for the Lancers in the circle, but has lacked some run support, as Sacred Hearts has been outscored by nearly a 2-to-1 margin (59 scored, 116 allowed) through its 16 game schedule. Sophomore catcher Jamie Toler has been solid in her second year, hitting over .400 with 5 runs and 9 RBIs.