Gayla Ha-Cabebe ripped a grand slam and drove in five runs to spark Hilo to an 11-3 TKO win over St. Louis in the RBI Softball World Series on Sunday morning in St. Paul, Minn.
Gayla Ha-Cabebe ripped a grand slam and drove in five runs to spark Hilo to an 11-3 TKO win over St. Louis in the RBI Softball World Series on Sunday morning in St. Paul, Minn.
Ha-Cabebe went 3 for 4 in the game with a single, triple and grand slam to highlight the Big Islanders’ 12-hit attack to round out the American Central pool play. Stacie Doi added two hits, including a solo homer, and Ashlyn Van Zandt had two hits for Hilo (1-2), which finished third in the pool behind Santo Domingo (3-0) and Houston (2-1), and ahead of St. Louis (0-3).
Chelsea Camello went the six-inning distance to earn the win. She gave up five hits and three runs while striking out three and walking three.
Hilo then came back in the afternoon to edge Atlanta 8-6 in cross-pool action. Leisha Nakagawa had three hits, including a double, and two RBIs to lead the Big Islanders. Ha-Cabebe had two hits, including a double, and two RBIs.
Aliesa Kaneshiro pitched all seven innings and got the win. She allowed 10 hits and six runs while striking out one and walking one.
Hilo plays Hoboken, N.J. today to wrap up cross-pool play. The single-elimination playoffs start Tuesday, heading into Wednesday’s title game.
“We played pretty well today and our bats are starting to come alive,” Hilo coach Tracy Miyashiro said. “We want to finish up strong tomorrow and be ready to play our best on Tuesday when the games really count. Our goal is to get to the championship game. If we can do that, anything can happen.”