Posted on: Saturday, January 22, 2005
Gusman-Brown leads Pearl City over Mililani, 3-0
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Pearl City junior Marina Gusman-Brown pitched the Chargers to their biggest softball win in recent history, a 3-0 victory over Mililani last night at Central O'ahu Regional Park.
Gusman-Brown pitched a two-hitter, struck out eight, and scored a run to lead the Chargers to their first win over the Trojans in at least six years.
"My plan was to put it down, because the defense was working hard," Gusman-Brown said. "(Mililani is) pretty much bunters and slappers."
Pearl City (9-1) moved one step closer to clinching the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red Western Division. Its final game is against Nanakuli Jan. 29, and if it wins, it clinches the division title.
Gusman-Brown, who retired the first seven batters and didn't allow a hit until the sixth inning, scored the Chargers' first run in the fourth inning after walking to start the inning, stealing second base, and scoring on an RBI single to left-center field by Corrie Nishikida.
"I was just thinking put the ball in play, just execute, not put it to the fence," Nishikida said. "She's fast, so I knew she could score."
The Chargers added two more runs in the fifth inning when Kanani Numata led off with a single and scored on an error by the Mililani second baseman. Lauren Fujisaki, who reached base on the error, later scored on a sacrifice fly by Tori Ikehara.
"We executed well offensively today," Pearl City coach Keoke Behic said. "The first time we played Mililani, we didn't execute well."
The Trojans defeated the Chargers, 8-5, Dec. 15.
Mililani (7-2) put runners on first and second with one out in the third inning. But Ciera Senas popped out on a bunt attempt and Gusman-Brown struck out Samantha Bolosan to end the threat.
"If we scored on that one, the ball game would have been different," said Mililani coach Mike Okimoto, who said he didn't know the last time Mililani lost twice in one regular season. "If the ball went down or under the glove (on the bunt)... it would have been a momentum change."
The Trojans threatened again in the bottom of the seventh inning when Melissa Lehano singled with one out.
But Fujisaki ended the game on a double play, snatching a line drive by Makani Duhaylonsod and stepping on first base to double up Lehano, who was running on the play.
Marina Gusman-Brown and Krystal Plunkett. Dana Lee and Skye Virtudes. W—Gusman-Brown. L—Lee.
Leading Hitter—Pearl City: Kanani Numata 2-3, double.
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.
The Rough Riders sent eight batters to the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring four runs, to defeat the Bulldogs.
Genesis Fruean and Alyssia Filimate. Genoa Aiko and Makana Frank. W—Aiko. L—Fruean.
Leading hitters: Kaim—Mindy Hirokawa, double. Roos—Kimberly Fuller triple.
Reported by Jenna Gyotoku
Roosevelt 6, Kaimuki 4
