Waianae's Piilani Keopuhiwa-Smith roped a triple to deep right field to cap off a big sixth inning, as the Seariders scored three runs to take the lead and then held off Moanalua down the stretch to advance to the OIA Red division semifinals with a 4-2 victory.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth, Moanalua would get a lead off walk by Kiana Guillermo, who would advance to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dori-Ann Sugai. Then, Cyanne Fernandez would lace a double up the middle, scoring Guillermo.

Chrissi Omalza would add another double, this time to right, and Fernandez would come home on a throwing error, to put Na Menehune up 2-1.

Following a scoreless fifth and trailing by just a run, Waianae head coach Lincoln Naiwi Jr. would encourage his squad with a simple but important mantra.

"I just was reminding them to believe in themselves, and that you guys can do it." he said.

Desirrei Sivia would get things started with one out in the sixth, poking a single to left field, but was called out on a fielder's choice at second on the ensuing batter. Then, Tiana Hensley's grounder to third was mishandled, allowing Lindsey-Leigh Joseph to come around to third and Hensley to second.

A balk was called on the next at-bat, bringing Joseph home to tie the game up at 2-all, and Hensley would come home to score from third when a Kulia Kaluhiokalani grounder was misplayed, giving Waianae the go-ahead run.

Keopuhiwa-Smith would then connect on a shot to deep right, sailing over the fielder's head. Keopuhiwa-Smith would motor around to third just ahead of the throw, bringing in Kaluhiokalani all the way from first to extend the Seariders' lead to 4-2.

"Pretty scary, had to breathe a couple of times..." said Keopuhiwa-Smith of her at-bat. "I was believing in myself... and I just came out with a bang."

Moanalua would threaten in the last of the sixth, benefiting from a fielding error on a towering fly ball that allowed Sugai to advance into scoring position on second.

Then, with two outs, Sugai would steal third followed by a Chrissy Omalza walk to put runners on the corners and the go-ahead run at the plate.

But Waianae starter Raelene Diorec would manage to get out of the inning unscathed, inducing a fly out to left field on the next at-bat to end the inning.

Following a 1-2-3 inning for Waianae in the seventh, Keopuhiwa-Smith would come in to close the game out on the mound, and put down Moanalua in order to end it.

Diorec and Keopuhiwa-Smith would combine on a three-hitter.

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