Jerzie Liana (12) went the distance and struck out the final two batters to help preserve the win for the Hurricanes. Brandon Ching | SL

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Jerzie Liana (12) went the distance and struck out the final two batters to help preserve the win for the Hurricanes. Brandon Ching | SL

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KAKAAKO— No. 2 Kapolei outlasted No. 3 Campbell, 1-0, in a low-scoring, defensive slugfest to win a pivotal Oahu Interscholastic Association West contest at McKinley's Tiger Softball Stadium Tuesday.

After losing to then No. 4 and now current No. 1 Mililani, 2-1 last week on Apr. 8, the Hurricanes (6-1) found themselves back in the win column and shut out their second opponent of the season.

"It took a toll on us, but we came together and we wanted to win and my team came to play today," Jerzie Liana said.

The loss snapped the Sabers' (3-4) two-game winning streak and were held scoreless for the first time this season.

Kapolei's Jerzie Liana and Campbell's Taryn Irimata faced off in a pitcher's duel, but it was Liana that came out with the win. The junior went the distance and struck out four, walked two, and scattered three Saber hits to improve to 5-1 on the season.

"My fastball, curve, screw and later on the game, my change-up," Liana said of the pitches that were working for her.

Irimata (2-1), despite nine strike outs and no walks, allowing just two hits and a run, suffered her first loss of the season. She had four strike outs through the first four innings making it difficult for Kapolei batters.

"Taryn is a very good pitcher and she jammed a lot of us. We couldn't adjust," Liana said.

Kapolei broke the scoreless stalemate with the game's only run. Liana popped out to first to open the fourth inning, but Puakea Milbourne was hit by a pitch and went to second on Moani Ioane's single. Cheyenne Valdez-Asato's sacrifice fly to center brought in Milbourne. Irimata made sure no one else would score after forcing a ground out to herself and tossing it to Paige Nakashima for the third out.

"It felt good because a lot of us were struggling and thanks to Chey we got the one that mattered on the board," Liana said.

Nakashima led off with a hard grounder to center but a 5-4-3 double play and a pop out to third left Campbell empty-handed.

"My defense was a key role in today's win. With the one run, we had to make sure our defense was up to par to make sure they don't score," Liana said.

Irimata collected two more strikeouts and forced a pop out to Kaiana Kong for a quick, 1-2-3 fifth inning.

Kong sent a two-out double to left field in the bottom of the fifth giving the Sabers an opportunity, but that was short-lived after Teiah Keliikolokai was out on a dropped third strike.

Milbourne snagged Cairah Curran's hit for the first out and Liana walked Leia Duropan. The Hurricanes defense recorded their second double play, this time it was 1-6-3. Nakashima grounded to Liana, who threw it to Chenoa Cainglit, and then to Majesty Moisa to snuff the threat.

Ioane reached first on a dropped third strike and Valdez-Asato grounded out to first. Irimata fanned the next two batters to leave Ioane on second base.

Lorraine Alo grounded out to second for the first out and Liana consecutively struck out Kaylisa Nakoa and Aleiah Kupihea to end the game.

It won't get any easier for the Hurricanes as they host No. 6 Leilehua on Thursday, Apr. 14. Campbell will look to get back into the win column and avoid back-to-back losses with a home game against Waianae on the same afternoon.

The Hurricanes win the regular season series after beating the Sabers earlier on Mar. 26, 3-2.