OIA Softball
No. 1 Campbell denies Mililani to face Waianae in OIA title game


Brandon Ching | ScoringLive
April 22, 2023, 6:14am

  

Fri, Apr 21, 2023 @ [ 7:30 pm ]

Mililani

2

Campbell

5

FINAL 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Mililani 0 110000250
Campbell 0 0 1013X5111

W: Taryn Irimata    L: Makayla Pagampao

CAMP: Quinn Waiki 1-3 2 runs rbi HR; Taryn Irimata 7.0 IP 2 ER 9 K
MIL: Kaui Garcia 1-1 run rbi HR; Makayla Pagampao 6.0 IP 5 ER 3 K




Top-ranked Campbell's winning streak was put to the test, but the Sabers rallied with three runs in the sixth to beat Mililani, 5-2, in the night cap of the OIA semifinals at McKinley's Tiger Softball Stadium.

Nanea "China" Pantastico went 2-for-2 and her two RBIs made the difference in the sixth inning and Taryn Irimiata struck out nine and walked two as Sabers improved to 12-0 on the season.

Campbell reaches the OIA Division I title game for the first time since 2019 and will have to get past No. 2 Waianae. The Sabers topped the Seariders 7-0 on Mar. 18 and 5-2 on Apr. 13.

The Trojans rallied past No. Kalani, 8-4 in the quarterfinals, but fell to 7-6 on the season and faces No. 8 Kaiser for third place.

Makayla Pagampao struck out Leia Duropan and Teiah Keliiholokai fouled out to first for the first two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Kaiana Kong singled past second base, Quinn Waiki was intentionally walked, and Cairah Curran drew a walk to load the bases. Pantastico worked a full count before her hit up the middle plated Kong and Waiki.

"I tried to stay calm and not worry about the count and had to do my job and bring home the runners," Pantastico said. "I think I was trying to make contact but at the same time I was trying to look for my pitch."

"It definitely feels good as a pitcher knowing we have a few insurance runs. Credit to China," Irimata said.

Lorraine Alo followed up with a single that scored Curran and Pantastico was out rounding into home to end the inning.

Irimata struck out Amber Aniya then forced a pop out to second. Ciana Cubi grounded out to third to end the game.

"It was tough at first but I had to figure out a way to pick myself up because the team itself we were still down. We had to figure out a way to pick each other up. It was being there for each other as a team," Irimata said.

Irimata, University of Nevada-Reno commit, finished the game scattering five Trojan hits with nine strike outs and two walks (one was intentional). Mililani put up seven hits against her in their regular season matchups.

Her freshman debut came against the Seariders but her season was cut short due to COVID-19. There were no playoffs in 2021 and fell in the semifinals to eventual league champion Kapolei in 2022. As a senior, she looks to help the Sabers claim their eighth overall league title in school history.

"It feels good, but it's definitely a team effort. I hope we come up with a win tomorrow," Irimata said.

Irimata made quick work of the Trojans in the first inning striking out the first three batters. In the second inning, Kaui Garcia's lead-off solo home run put the Trojans ahead, 1-0.

Campbell loaded the bases despite two outs on a double play in the second but came away empty handed.

After Cubi lined out to Irimata, the Trojans followed up with three consecutive hits and Kamryn Aoki's RBI single plated Madeline Armenti to left gave Mililani a 2-0 lead.

Curran led off with a single but was out after she left first early. Pantastico came up with a double and then scored on Lorraine Alo's single to centerfield to get Campbell on the scoreboard.

"We knew we made a lot of mistakes and we had to find a way to clutch up and get back on our feet, we found a way to get back," Pantastico said.

After a scoreless fourth inning and a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fifth, Quinn Waiki's solo home run tied the game at 2. Curran added a single and moved over on Pantastico's sacrifice. Lorraine Alo was intentionally walked and Sophia Alo moved the runners a base with a sacrifice bunt. Kayla Whaley struck out looking to end the inning.

Kolbi Kochi led off the sixth with a single and Garcia drew a walk. Pagampao's bunt attempt popped up in a 3-4 double play and runner at second left early for the third out that gave the Sabers life to take the lead for good.

Pagampao was tagged with the loss to fall to 6-4 with three strike outs and five walks.

The Sabers swept the season series winning 11-3 on Mar. 21 and 5-2 on Apr. 13 and tonight.

The Trojans and Cougars clinched state tournament berths and Kapolei and Leilehua beat Kalani and Pearl City respectively to clinch the OIA's final state tournament berths.

Mililani was seeking back-to-back title game appearances and was seeking their 12th overall OIA title.


Reach Brandon Ching at [email protected].




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