Posted on: Tuesday, January 13, 2004

HIGH SCHOOLS
Kamehameha, Iolani tie in softball, 0-0

 • Standings: Softball

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

After waiting nine days, the Kamehameha and Iolani softball teams finally got to square off yesterday in their highly anticipated Interscholastic League of Honolulu showdown.

But after nine innings, neither team could claim a victory.

They instead settled for a nine-inning 0-0 tie, which will stand as a complete game, according to ILH softball coordinator Dave Blanchette. The game, a makeup for a rainout Jan. 3, was called after nine innings due to darkness at Kamehameha's field.

For now, the result actually benefits Punahou, because a tie in the standings is worth one championship point (victories are worth two), meaning Punahou (7-1-0) is in first place with 14 points. Kamehameha (6-0-1) and Iolani (6-1-1) are now tied for second with 13 points.

But that could change quickly, as Punahou travels to Kamehameha on Saturday for a second-round game. Kamehameha won the first meeting, 6-0.

"This doesn't help us as far as first place, but it helps us against Punahou because they already have one loss and have to play Kamehameha again," Iolani coach Chris Shimabukuro said. "It's better than a loss."

Only two ILH teams will advance to the state tournament.

For two-time defending ILH champion Kamehameha, the tie keeps it unbeaten, but the Warriors expect to win every time out, especially on their home field.

"We're not happy with ties," Kamehameha coach Ty Sing Chow said. "People say we look good on paper, but we're still not playing to our potential, by far. As much as you need physically in this game, you need just as much mentally, and we're not there yet. But take nothing away from Iolani — when they needed to make plays, they made the plays. From preseason to now, they're a different team."

Early on yesterday, it looked like it would just be a matter of time before the Warriors would score runs. They loaded the bases in each of the first two innings, only to have the rallies end in groundouts.

In the third inning, Kamehameha had runners on second and third with one out, but the Raiders got a double play to escape another jam.

Sheryl Fukuda replaced Iolani starter Monique Obra in the fourth inning and allowed only two Warriors to reach base the rest of the game.

Iolani, meanwhile, started to create opportunities of its own later. The Raiders got their leadoff batter on in the sixth, only to have her doubled up on a backdoor groundout. They put a runner on third in the seventh, but she was caught in a rundown after a wild pitch skirted off the umpire's leg.

And in the ninth, an Iolani runner got tagged out at second trying to stretch a single into a double.

Iolani 000 000 000—0 6 2
Kamehameha 000 000 000—0 5 0

Monique Obra, Sheryl Fukuda (4) and Taralyn Odo. Brandi Peiler, Noe Esperas (7) and Kaulana Gould. Leading Hitters: Iol—Chelsey Keola 3-4; Kaz Masutani 2-3. Kam—Nicole Kalakau 2-4.

• Mid-Pacific 4, Maryknoll 3: Asia Botelho stole home to tie the game in the seventh inning, then Miya Quinn drove in Shari Shobu for the go-ahead run as the visiting Owls downed the Spartans.

Mid-Pacific 002 000 2—4 5 3
Maryknoll 100 200 0—3 4 4

Shari Shobu and Torie Sumi. Jade Kuiharai and Heather Kekawa. W—Shobu. L—Kuiharai.

Leading hitters: MPI—Miya Quinn 2-4. Mary—Jeff Akamine double.

• Punahou 9, University High 1: Cristen Aona hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth and Sarah Weisskopf pitched a complete game, allowing one run, while striking out five, to power the host Buffanblu over the Jr. Bows.

University HIgh 000 010 0—1 2 1
Punahou 102 402 X—9 8 0

Jessica Ghazali, Mandy Yoshizu (6) and Iwalani Yamaguchi, Cara Hasegawa (6). Sarah Weisskopf and Kaha Weir. W—Weisskopf. L—Ghazali.

Leading hitters: Pun—Cristen Aona homer, 2 RBIs; Weisskopf 2-2, Kim Nagamine double; Adrianne Tanaka triple.

SOCCER

Interscholastic League of Honolulu
Girls Varsity

Punahou 5, St. Francis 0. Pun—Rachael Lau, Kelly Kalapa, Karlisa Look, Chelsea Deptula, Allison Lipsher.

Boys JV

Punahou Blue 2, Saint Louis 0

O'ahu Interscholastic Association
Eastern Division
Girls Varsity

Kailua 1, Kahuku 0

Kail—Kori Maekawa. McKinley 2, Kalani 2. McK—Sachi Lopez, Chelsie Sato. Kalan—Kiana Galase, Nastia Kekawa.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.