Brian Bautista | SL

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Brian Bautista | SL

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Top-ranked Campbell took a commanding lead after three innings and held off No. 2 Mililani's comeback to win, 11-9, in a OIA Division I West showdown at McKinley's Tiger Softball Stadium Saturday.

The Sabers improved to 5-0 in the West standings to take sole possession of first place and handed the Trojans (4-1) their first league loss.

Kayla Whaley went 2 for 3 from the plate, scoring three runs, and drove in four runs while Sophie Alo went 2 for 4 with two runs, and four RBI to lead the Sabers, who cranked out 14 hits for the game. Jaeda Abcede, Breena Malama, and Shyla Gabrillo each registered a pair of hits.

Whaley scored the first run for the Sabers on Quinn Waiki's double just inside the left field foul line for a 1-0 lead.

Mililani answered as Kamryn Aoki laced a triple to right field and Kaui Garcia blasted a home run over the right center fence to lead, 2-0. Garcia finished 2 for 2 with three RBI and two walks.

Malama led off with a single inside the left field line and Valerie Bachiller pinch ran then stole second. Joy Freitas singled to shallow left field to move Bachiller and Gabrillo tied the game with an RBI single to left field.

Nanea Pantatisco laid down a bunt to load the bases and Whaley drew another run as she was hit by a pitch. Alo brought in three base runners with a double then advanced to third on the throw.

"Our blood was going and we were doing good and we kept going," Whaley said.

Waiki was disqualified from the game after officials noted her helmet had a logo sticker that was not affiliated with the school. A Campbell third base coach was also disqualified. In Waiki's absence, Abcede stepped up her spot to finish 2 for 3 and brought in Alo from third with a double to right for a 7-2 lead.

"That disqualification gave us more intensity and we felt like we needed it and needed to do it. As a team we had to step up our game," Whaley said.

After Campbell made quick work of the Trojans in the second inning, the Sabers padded their lead despite dropping the first two outs. Freitas flew out to right and Keyra Moses-Fuller flew out to left. Gabrillo got on base with a bunt single and Pantastico drew a walk.

Whaley stepped up to the plate to crank a home run over right field and Alo followed up with a solo home run that cleared the left field fence for a 11-2 lead.

"It felt great getting the home run because I've been waiting for it. I feel like our team is a good start off team and we end really good. We have a lot of integrity and spirit," Whaley said.

Mililani chipped away at the deficit scoring two runs in the third, fifth and sixth inning.

Taryn Hirano launched a home run to right field and Aoki reached on an error and advanced to second. Garcia walked and Kochi added a single. Jerrell Mailo reached on a fielder's choice that scored Aoki to trail, 11-4.

In the fifth, Aoki drew a leadoff walk and Garcia doubled to right center to plate the run and advanced to third on a throw. Kochi's sacrifice fly brought in the second run.

Emma Parker came in as a pinch hitter and led off with a double to right center and after Tanela Simanu struck out, Hinano Bautista smashed the Trojans' third home run of the game over centerfield and brought the game within three runs, 11-8.

Garcia walked to lead off the bottom of the seventh and Kochi reached on an error by an errant throw from short. Nakashima, who came in for Garcia, advanced to third. Mailo grounded out in a double play as Nakashima scored Mililani's final run. The next at bat, a ground out to second to ended the game.

"The last inning we had a lot of emotions, knowing one of our star players and coach were out and in our heads we have our role to play and we had to do it good. We came as whole and played together and we got what we wanted," Whaley said.

Pagampao (4-1) was tagged with the loss with a strike out and seven runs were earned.

Kaienna Fuentes-Arellano (4-0) picked up with win surrendering eight Trojan hits, seven of the nine runs were earned as she struck out three and walked three.

Campbell hosts Nanakuli (1-4) on Tuesday, Mar. 19 at 3 p.m. while Mililani hosts Kapolei (3-2) on the same afternoon.

Both teams are scheduled to meet again on Apr. 11 at McKinley.