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Cervantes' emergence further strengthens Sabers' stronghold on OIA softball




To put it simply, the Campbell softball team is very good.

Not only do the defending Division I state champion Sabers boast a lineup full of proven veterans, but they have a luxury that not many teams on the prep level enjoy: two standout starting pitchers.

In addition to its bona fide ace in senior right-hander Elisa Favela, Campbell can turn to junior right-hander Danielle Cervantes, who has emerged as one of the state's best pitchers so far this season.

Cervantes picked up win No. 3 with a complete-game performance in the circle in the top-ranked Sabers' 4-2 road win at No. 4 Kapolei Monday afternoon. She struck out six Hurricanes — five in the first two innings, including all three batters she faced in the first inning.

"Dani hit her spots and did a good job for us again," Campbell coach Shag Hermosura said. "I liked what she did out there."

Outside of the third inning — when she allowed a two-out, two-run single to her counterpart, Sadie Kapaku-You — Cervantes was firmly in control. She did not allow a walk and retired 12 of the final 14 Hurricanes, including the last seven to end the game.

"I knew if she started spinning the ball out of the zone we were going to chase it and if we're going to chase it, she's going to keep throwing it," Kapolei coach Tony Saffery said of Cervantes, who has struck out 26 and walked just four in 20.0 innings of work this year.

Cervantes has a minuscule 0.70 ERA, which is tops in the state. It was her third start and fourth pitching appearance of the season. She struck out 10 and allowed only one hit in a season-opening 9-2 win at Waianae. Cervantes' last start came against then-No. 2 Mililani last Tuesday. She struck out eight and tossed a complete game one-hit shutout in the 5-0 win over the Trojans.

"She's been doing a good job this season," senior left fielder Kiani Telles said of Cervantes. "Both of our pitchers are doing really good and without them our team wouldn't be where we are today."

After throwing significantly less innings as a sophomore last year, Cervantes said she is finding her groove this season.

"Since the preseason I've been getting more and more confident and the season is going pretty well," said Cervantes, who credited her teammates for backing her up. "We're really good. We mesh very well together and the girls, we work really hard and I feel like we deserve a lot, so we just have to keep working as the season goes on."

Cervantes had to battle against the Hurricanes Monday. She was behind for several innings until the Sabers sent eight batters to the plate and scored three runs to reclaim the lead for good in the top of the sixth.

Kapolei's three base hits in the third inning — when it scored both of its runs — were two bloop singles and one bunt single that took a bad bounce in front of third baseman Darien Robinson.

"It was pretty frustrating, but I know that we just had to keep working and we would bounce right back from it," Cervantes said.

Campbell's "other" pitcher, Favela — who has a 2-0 record this year — batted 2 for 4 and had ignited her team's sixth-inning rally with her leadoff single to start the frame and ended up scoring the tying run.

"Elisa is one of our best hitters and we always look to her to bring us back," said Cervantes. "I mean, all of our girls could have, but I think it was just time for a rally and she started it off."

The Sabers ran their record to 6-0 with the win to remain atop the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I West standings. They have outscored their opponents by a combined margin of 35 to 15 (a forfeit victory over Waipahu notwithstanding) and are one of just three remaining undefeated Division I teams statewide.

Campbell will host Waianae Thursday and visit Leilehua Saturday.



Reach Kalani Takase at [email protected].




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