Kohala softball team tops Hana at state tournament

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Tiani Luga pitched a complete-game seven-hitter, and Kohala took advantage of eight Hana errors to claim an 11-4 victory at the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II state softball tournament Tuesday at Maui’s Patsy Mink Field.

Tiani Luga pitched a complete-game seven-hitter, and Kohala took advantage of eight Hana errors to claim an 11-4 victory at the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Division II state softball tournament Tuesday at Maui’s Patsy Mink Field.

With the victory, the Cowgirls (8-10) advanced to today’s state quarterfinals, where they will face Oahu Interscholastic Association champion Nanakuli (12-1) at 5 p.m.

The Dragons (6-5), the Maui Interscholastic League runners-up, will take on OIA No. 4 seed McKinley in an 11 a.m. consolation bracket game.

Kohala, the Big Island Interscholastic Federation’s No. 3 seed, fell behind 2-0 after the first inning but capitalized on four Hana errors in the second inning, scoring six runs on just two hits to take the lead for good. Sheana Cazimero, who went 2-for-5 with two runs scored, highlighted the inning with a two-run single.

Luga finished 3-for-5 with an RBI and two runs scored while Tomiko Coito drove in two runs with bases-loaded walks.

In the circle, Ashlyn Van Zandt walked the first batter she faced before giving way to Luga, who allowed three runs — two earned. She struck out four and walked none.

Hana pitcher Jaynalee Hoopai, who also went the distance, took the loss. She allowed eight earned runs on 10 hits, striking out one and walking seven.

At the plate, Pakalana Helekahi-Cass went 3-for-4, while Nahe Kapoe-Smith had two RBIs.

Kohala 061 010 3 — 11 10 2

Hana 200 020 0 — 4 7 8

Aiea 11, Konawaena 1: Raisa Strom-Okimoto pitched a complete-game three-hitter while Kallie Alama and Ashley Nakamoto had three RBIs for Aiea.

Na Alii (10-5) advanced to today’s state quarterfinals, where they will play Kauai Interscholastic Federation champion and top-seeded Waimea (11-1) at 3 p.m.

In an 11 a.m. consolation bracket game today, the Wildcats (9-8) will take on Oahu Interscholastic Association runner-up Kaiser (13-2).

Aiea, the OIA No. 3 seed, cruised behind Strom-Okimoto, who struck out six and walked one in a game that ended in the bottom of the sixth inning because of the league’s 10-run mercy rule.

At the plate, Mapuana Tauala went 3-for-4, while Nakamoto, Strom-Okimoto and Vanessa Lopez-Aho each had two hits for Na Alii.

Shyla Victor, who pitched the first three innings for the BIIF runner-up Wildcats, took the loss. She gave up three runs — one earned — on seven hits, striking out one and walking one.

Syleesia Jose led Konawaena at the plate, going 2-for-2.

Konawaena 000 010 — 1 3 5

Aiea 102 431 — 11 12 3

Kamehameha to face Kauai

BIIF champion Kamehameha-Hawaii (16-1), which enjoyed a first-round bye at the state tournament, will face Kauai Interscholastic Federation runner-up Kauai at 1 p.m. today in the state quarterfinals.

The Red Raiders (8-5) defeated McKinley 16-5 in a first-round game on Tuesday.