Making pitch for OIA title

• Softball Tournament Schedule

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Johnna Rowland rebounded from an injury-plagued junior season to record four shutouts and an 8-0 record for three-time defending OIA softball champion Mililani. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

According to them, almost anyone in the 12-team field has a good chance for an upset or two en route to Saturday's final.

"It's hard to favor anybody, because there's no real dominating pitcher this year," said Kailua coach Bernard Victor, whose Surfriders won three straight OIA titles from 1994-96. "From now, it's just whoever is on. If it's just one game, anybody can win."

Castle coach Jon Berinobis agreed.

"A lot of teams could get one upset, or even go all the way," he said.

Castle and three-time defending champion Mililani, both 10-0, drew first-round byes today after winning the Eastern and Western divisions, respectively. Runners-up Kaimuki (9-1) and Campbell (8-2) also drew byes. Those four begin tournament play in quarterfinal action tomorrow.

The strength of the field can be seen in today's first-round matchups, one of the more intriguing of which pits West No. 6 seed Pearl City (6-3-1) at East No. 3 Kailua (8-2).

"Pearl City could have been a No. 4," Mililani coach Mike Okimoto said. "They have a good defense, and they're playing better ball now than earlier in the season. They're a scrappy team that's not going to quit. (Coach) Cheyene Thompson was a good college player, and she knows what it takes to win."

Although Kailua is seeded third, Berinobis and Okimoto said the Surfriders have to be considered a title contender. Kailua has two strong pitchers in junior right-hander Danielle Young and freshman right-hander Courtney Kessell. Young is 5-0, and Kessell is 3-2 with 35 strikeouts.

"Courtney throws hard and has a good rise ball," Berinobis said. "I wouldn't count (the Surfriders) out. They'll always be a threat."

Okimoto said that's true, as long as Victor is the coach.

"Bernard is the man," Okimoto said. "Nobody can call pitches like he can, especially in the playoffs. The infrequent times we've beaten them, it's been an honor, because his teams always rise to the occasion."

That's what will be expected of Mililani and Castle, two of three undefeated teams on O'ahu.

Mililani has one of the state's top pitching duos in senior Johnna Rowland and junior Miki Asamura. Rowland (8-0) came off an injury-plagued junior year and has posted four shutouts this season.

Asamura (2-0) pitched a no-hitter against Waipahu and has an earned run average of 0.00.

The Trojans also have a strong offense, with Nos. 1-6 in the lineup all hitting .310 or higher. Those hitters, in order, are senior second baseman Karyna Wilkerson (.310), junior center fielder B.J. Shimamoto (.400), senior first baseman Adrienne Kasaoka (.346), sophomore shortstop Charity Senas (.538), sophomore catcher Erika Au (.524) and sophomore outfielder Tiffany Anguay-Kalau (.368).

Asamura (.263) also is a threat on offense.

Berinobis said Castle's strength has been an improved attitude.

"Our success is because of team play," Berinobis said.

Pitching and defense also have helped. Sophomore right-hander Lea Pedrina is 9-0 and has allowed only two earned runs all season.

"She has good pop on the ball and she has a good rise and drop," Berinobis said. "She's also batting .444 and is running close as our RBI leader. She's real consistent at the plate."

Junior catcher Anuhea Young is batting .390 with five home runs, and junior left fielder Megan Cravalho also is batting .390.

Sophomore second baseman Kalena Souza is a big contributor with her glove.

"She's the heart and soul of our defense," Berinobis said. "She has real good vision and is a quiet leader for us."

In addition to Castle, Mililani, Campbell, Kaimuki and Kailua, the coaches mentioned Moanalua (7-3, East No. 4) and Leilehua (7-3) as possible contenders.

Moanalua was tied with Castle in a suspended game, and when that game was replayed later, the Menehune led until the Knights won in the final half-inning.

"Our division went down to the wire," Berinobis said. "Nobody ran away with it."

Okimoto said Leilehua is as dangerous as any other team.

"I think they're peaking right now," Okimoto said. "You gotta watch out for them."

Victor said the same of Mililani, a team his Surfriders beat in nine innings during the preseason.

"They play real steady ball," Victor said. "If you make a mistake, they'll capitalize on it. But that's what can happen in this tournament: If you make one mistake against anybody, it can be all over."

Softball Tournament Schedule
(Seeds preceding teams; records in parentheses)

(all games 3:30 p.m. unless noted)

Today (first round)

• East No. 5 Roosevelt (6-4) at West No. 4 Wai'anae (7-3)
• West No. 6 Pearl City (6-3-1) at East No. 3 Kailua (8-2)
• East No. 6 Kalani (4-6) vs. West No. 3 Leilehua (7-3) at Ka'ala District Park
• West No. 5 Waipahu (6-3-1) at East No. 4 Moanalua (7-3)

Tomorrow (quarterfinals)

• Roosevelt-Wai'anae winner at East No. 1 Castle (10-0)
• Pearl City-Kailua winner at West No. 2 Campbell (8-2)
• Kalani-Leilehua winner at East No. 2 Kaimuki (9-1)
• Waipahu-Moanalua winner at West No. 1 Mililani (10-0)

Thursday

• Semifinals
• Wednesday's winners at higher seeds
• Consolation bracket
• Wednesday's losers at higher seeds

Friday

• Fifth-place game
• Thursday's consolation winners at Kapolei High School field

Saturday
At HPU Windward campus field

• Third-place game
• Thursday's semifinal losers, 11 a.m.
• Championship game
• Thursday's semifinal winners, following third-place game

Note: If there is a tie in seeding, home field will be awarded by coin toss.