Junior pitcher Sadie Kapaku-You struck out eight batters in a complete-game effort and drove in three runs to help fourth-ranked Kapolei overcome an early deficit against host Leilehua Thursday afternoon. Steve Erler | SL

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Junior pitcher Sadie Kapaku-You struck out eight batters in a complete-game effort and drove in three runs to help fourth-ranked Kapolei overcome an early deficit against host Leilehua Thursday afternoon. Steve Erler | SL

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WAHIAWA — Sadie Kapaku-You helped her own cause Thursday.

Kapaku-You threw a complete game with eight strikeouts and drove in three runs at the plate to help Kapolei rally to a 7-4 win over host Leilehua on a sunny afternoon at Kaala Field.

The Hurricanes (5-2) swept the season series against the Mules (2-5) and rebounded from a late-inning collapse against in Monday's 4-2 loss to top-ranked Campbell.

"We needed to bounce back from that," Kapolei coach Tony Saffery said. "I think the kids were definitely down. We struggled at practice trying to keep them focused and I don't mean that in a bad way, it's just that they were a little lethargic thinking about our Campbell game, so coming back out here and getting this one was important."

After a shaky top first in which she allowed two runs — both with two outs — Kapaku-You settled in. Leilehua had four hits in the inning, but managed just three the rest of the way.

"I didn't think about it because I knew my team was going to get hits back and runs," said Kapaku-You. "I was thinking that I just needed to get an out and that my defense was going to get it and they did."

Against Campbell Monday, Kapaku-You labored through a three-run sixth inning that erased Kapolei's one-run lead.

"What can I say about her? She's a competitor," Saffery said of his junior pitcher. "She's big. She's very big and she's done big things for us. I'm really happy for her."

Kapaku-You effectively worked the outside half of the plate and kept Leilehua hitters guessing. Her first three strikeouts came on non-swings.

"She pitched a good game and she was accurate," Mules coach Stacy Araki said. "The umpires were calling her pitch. It was off the plate a little, but it was still a strike. We've just got to make changes and hit the ball."

Kapolei pulled ahead for good in the top of the fourth. Two runs came in on a home run by Kapaku-You, who lined the first pitch of the at-bat to the left-center power alley. With no outfield fence at the field, the ball rolled out after splitting the two outfielders and gave Kapaku-You ample time to score behind Ciena Kauhi.

"She was throwing a lot of first-pitch strikes to everyone else so I learned that and I saw it and I hit it," said Kapaku-You. "I saw it come inside so my eyes got big and I just swung."

Three batters later, Lili Kaimi singled to right to plate Laugatausala Pedebone for the go-ahead run.

Pedebone, the clean-up hitter, finished 3 for 4 at the plate and Kaimi 2 for 2 with a walk. Kaimi also scored a run in the sixth.

Shaycelynn Hoohuli, the No. 9 hitter, batted 2 for 3, including a two-out, two-RBI single in the sixth. She also scored one of two Kapolei runs in the fifth. Leadoff hitter Makana Meyers scored the other after reaching on a bunt single and scoring on a Kapaku-You single up the middle.

Kapolei recorded 11 hits off of Leilehua pitching. Starter Chasity Stalcup allowed three runs on six hits in four innings of work and was charged with the loss. Kaena Nistal pitched the final three innings and allowed four runs on five hits.

The Mules got within 5-4 after a pair of runs in the fifth inning, including an RBI single by Ashley Salausa, who ended up going 3 for 4.

Stalcup put Leilehua ahead early with her two-out, two-run single to left that scored Reilyenne Nahilu and Salausa.

Kapolei beat Leilehua, 15-5, in both team's regular-season opener back on March 5.

The Hurricanes remain in third place in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I West standings — one game behind second-place Mililani and two behind Campbell.

The Mules suffered their third consecutive loss and are in fifth place in the seven-team division. They host the Sabers (7-0) at 10 a.m. Saturday.