HONOLULU — Kamehameha advanced a runner to third base in the top of the first inning against the team it fell to in last year’s state softball final.
The Warriors couldn’t bring her home, though, and the rest of the night went much of the same way. There would be no payback against Mililani in the Datahouse/HHSAA quarterfinals as the Trojans prevailed 4-0 at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium on Wednesday night.
On a night of intermittent Manoa rain, sophomore ace Hinano Bautista tossed a four-hitter, pitching to contact on a no-strikeout, one-walk line as defending champion Mililani advanced to face Punahou at 7 p.m. Thursday.
[Note: See below for more photos of Mililani-Kamehameha in the HHSAA softball quarterfinals.]
The OIA champion Trojans could have to go through three straight Interscholastic League of Honolulu teams to defend their state title. Punahou finished as the ILH runner-up after breezing through the league regular season; the Buffanblu routed Hilo 10-0 in six innings Wednesday.
In the other two quarterfinals, Maryknoll rolled past Kaiser 11-1 in five innings and Campbell edged Baldwin 12-10. Maryknoll and Campbell meet at 4:30 p.m. at RWSS in another OIA-ILH showdown.
Mililani is in pursuit of its fifth title, Punahou its second, Maryknoll its second and Campbell it sixth.
Kamehameha, the ILH’s third-place team, won a play-in game over Maui High and routed King Kekaulike 16-1 in Tuesday’s first round. But this turnaround was night and day.
Makanalei Watkins-Villegas went 2-for-2 with a double and two RBIs to lead the Trojans (13-1) offensively. Emma Parker and Aubri Nakashima drove in the Warriors’ other runs.
Both Mililani and Kamehameha teams submitted some web gems. Kamehameha left fielder Jade Kiyan, center fielder Addison Wong and first baseman Anela Pau made impressive grabs within the first few innings.
For Mililani’s part, second baseman Kamryn Aoki skied to snare a line drive.
Peahi Grilho-Armitage went 4 1/3 innings in the loss for Kamehameha. She and Rylie Teramoto combined on a six-hitter.
In the Division II semifinals, Pearl City faces Waimea at 11:30 a.m. and Kapaa takes on Pac-Five at 2 p.m. at RWSS.
Mililani sophomore ace Hinano Bautista tossed a four-hitter against Kamehameha. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Mililani second baseman Kamryn Aoki leaped to snare a line drive. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Mililani second baseman Kamryn Aoki reacted to her grab. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Mililani shortstop Kahiau Aina, left, tagged out Kamehameha’s Loganne Cambra as she tried to steal second base. Trojans catcher Kodie Ancheta made a pinpoint throw on the play. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Kamehameha left fielder Jade Kiyan (9) made a diving catch. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Kamehameha center fielder Addison Wong extended to make a grab just short of the wall. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Kamehameha teammates congratulated first baseman Anela Pau, middle, on a nice grab to end an inning. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.
