Taezha-Ann Cordero was 2-of-4 and hit an RBI against Pearl City. Sylvia Lee | SL

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Kristin Frost makes contact with a pitch against Leilehua. Frost was 2-of-3 and batted in a run and one RBI. Sylvia Lee | SL

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WAHIAWA--Pearl City (3-4) took an early 3-0 lead in the first four innings and scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to hold off Leilehua (5-3), 6-4 in an O’ahu Interscholastic Association Red West game on Thursday afternoon. 

“Today was a team victory, a lot of people contributed and bottom line they trusted the work that they’ve done to prepare us for today. They knew that coming into this we needed to beat Leilehua because they are in first place, it was a huge confidence booster for us especially first game in the second round,” said Pearl City coach Keoke Behic.

Since starting the season 2-0, the Chargers snapped a four game losing streak to keep pace in the Red West. They also snapped Leilehua’s four-game winning streak dating back to Mar. 18. 

“Even in the four game losing streak, we were losing extra inning games and games by one run, but this team kept on battling and we just needed to find a way of getting over that hump and today was that example that everyone contributed and were clutch in key places,” said Behic. 

Pearl City took a 2-0 lead in the first three innings after Kristyn Uehara hit a RBI single to centerfield to bring in Tiana Kaaialii in the top of the second inning. In the top of the third inning, Hope Casarez hit a home run to right field. 

In the top of the fourth, Uehara hit a double to right centerfield to get on base. She then advanced off of a fielder’s choice and scored off of an error to make it 3-0. 

In the bottom of the fifth, Kaaialii came in to relieve Kristin Frost. Chloe Pojas got on base due to an error on Nat Kang. Chenoa Au and Taezha-Ann Cordero loaded the bases due to fielding errors. Kaaialii walked Tiana Cantero-Kawelo and Pojas scored and also walked Ashley Salausa which brought in Au for another run to make it 3-2. 

However, Kaaialii found a rhythm and caused Shanaye Mattson to hit it to Kang for the first out, Celina Lopes hit a pop out to catcher Robi Kami and Mahealani Calizo hit a flyout to the short stop to end the inning. 

“I think Tiana came in and walked the first two batters and never gave in,” said said Behic on Kaaialii. “She trusted the work she done in the past and pounded the strike zone, got some big outs: fly to third, fly to the catcher and fly to six. She trusted the process and it worked out for us fortunately.”  

In the bottom of the sixth, Kaaialii walked Chelsea Lobitos, who then advanced to second base off of Pojas’ sacrifice bunt. She moved to third off an error and Cordero’s bunt brought her in for the score to tie the game at 3. Kawelo hit a flyout to center fielder Ariela Bali, who threw it to Kami to tag out Au at home plate. 

In the top of the seventh, Naomi Hama-Hernandez hit a double to left field and Janel Okamura came in for her. Frost hit an RBI triple to bring in Okamura. Frost managed to score on an error to make it 5-3. Uehara took second on an error and Kami brought in Uehara on a single to right field. 

“This game, more so than others we had some in our losses we hit the ball really hard right at people, but for this game we had some fortunate bounces for us, that’s the game of softball you know?” said Behic. 

In the bottom of the seventh, Salausa hit a single past the short stop to lead off. Mattson blasted a RBI triple to left field to score Salausa. However, Lopes hit a pop out to second base and Kaailii struck out Calizo. Lobitos hit a ground out to Kaaialii to end the game. 

Pearl City will take on Waipahu (0-8) on Apr. 10 while Leilehua plays at Campbell (4-3) on Apr. 5. 

“That’s the thing, the West, everybody is tough and anyone can beat anybody on any given day. Even in our losses to Waianae and Campbell, it’s all one-run games, one play can make a difference either way. It’s tough, but it’s also fun because it’s so competitive. No matter what, everybody’s good,” said Behic.