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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, January 21, 2007

Trojans edges Sabers for OIA softball crown

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By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Mililani players celebrate after defeating Campbell, 4-2, for their first O'ahu Interscholastic Association softball title since 2002.

ANDREW SHIMABUKU | The Honolulu Advertiser

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WAIP'IO — Makani Duhaylonsod scattered six hits in a complete game and hit a solo home run last night to lead Mililani past Campbell, 4-2, for its first O'ahu Interscholastic Association softball championship since 2002.

The Trojans, who were beaten twice by Campbell during the OIA Western Division regular season, improved to 13-2 and will receive the league's No. 1 seed and first-round bye in the state tournament, which starts Jan. 31 at Rainbow Wahine Stadium.

"This feels really good because I've already won a state championship (in 2005) but I never won an OIA (title)," said Duhaylonsod, a 5-foot-11 junior right-hander. "I never had this feeling before."

In the two previous meetings with Campbell, the Sabers scored a combined 13 runs on 25 hits against Duhaylonsod. But she was a different pitcher last night, striking out seven and walking only one in keeping Campbell from bunching up the hits like before.

"The big difference tonight was the whole team played well," Duhaylonsod said. "Everybody stayed disciplined the whole game."

Mililani played its second straight errorless game and got offensive production throughout the lineup. Freshman shortstop Courtney Senas, batting third, gave the Trojans a quick 1-0 lead with a two-out, line-drive home run over the center-field fence in the first inning.

They made it 2-0 in the third after another freshman, second baseman Kristi Oshiro, led off with single to right, stole second base, advanced to third on Celina Garces' sacrifice bunt and scored on a single to left by Senas.

The Sabers cut it to 2-1 in the bottom of the third when No. 9 batter Shelei Murray-Thornton slammed a one-out, 1-1 change-up over the left-field fence.

Mililani got the run back in the fifth inning after Oshiro was hit by a pitch with one out, stole second again and came home after Garces reached on an infield single and the throw went into right field. The Trojans made it 4-1 an inning later on Duhaylonsod's leadoff home run over the center-field fence.

Campbell threatened in the bottom of the seventh, as Brittney Garcia led off with a single to right, took second on Kai Clark's groundout to first and scored on Gerika Pantohan's single to center.

But Duhaylonsod got the next batter to ground into a forceout at second, then notched a strikeout to end the game.

"The difference is Mililani's been here before, and we're in unchartered waters," said Campbell coach David Perreira. "I thought we played well, but to beat a team like that three times is almost impossible."

MILILANI (13-2) 101 011 0 — 4 8 0

CAMPBELL (13-2) 001 000 1 — 2 6 1

Makani Duhaylonsod and Skye Virtudes. Breanne Patton, Leinna Kalua (7) and Anuhea Yamaguchi. W — Duhaylonsod. L — Patton.

Leading hitters — Mililani: Courtney Senas 2-2 home run, 2 RBIs; Duhaylonsod home run. Campbell: Shelei Murray-Thornton solo homer; Gerika Pantohan RBI.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.