A good mix of pitches, confidence and a business-like approach has Sarah Robinson and Moanalua off to a strong start.

Robinson struck out 29 batters in two games last week as Na Menehune softball team won both games.

"She's gradually gotten better from the preseason," Moanalua coach Kristie Morikawa said. "She just turned it on in our first regular season game. After the preseason, right before the regular season, we saw a different side. It was all business. She just took her job seriously and continues to take her job seriously.

"She sets the tempo for the rest of the team. They know they can count on her to do her job when she gets up there."

Robinson struck out 17 batters and allowed two hits in a 1-0 win over Kaimuki on Wednesday. On Saturday, she struck out 12 and allowed four hits in a 9-4 win over Kalaheo.

Robinson also batted 4 for 4 and drove in two runs against Kalaheo.

"I was doing my job and keeping the batters off balance," Robinson said of the Kaimuki game. "I was just pitching my game. I really kept them off balance and kept them guessing a lot. That really worked."

Morikawa said Robinson was able to hit different spots with her pitches against Kaimuki.

"We knew a lot of them so she knew what to throw," Morikawa said. "She's good at (knowing) what they did the last time — what they swung at before — and good at knowing what pitches they don't want.

"It was a good mix of hitting spots and being intelligent on the mound."

Robinson, who signed a letter of intent with the University of Hawai'i softball team last fall, said she's feeling more comfortable on the mound. She's regained some of the stamina she lost while playing volleyball in the fall. Now, she's settling in as she's able to get more time on the mound.

"Now I'm starting to pitch more in practice and I'm starting to use my pitches more and am getting more confident with different pitches," Robinson said. "I just have confidence now, being older and experienced, being comfortable on the mound and in what I'm doing."

Moanalua plays at Castle tomorrow in an O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red East game. Both teams have 4-1 records.

"We're going to have much more harder teams coming up," Robinson said. "Right now, we're preparing for Castle. We really want to win to get that first place in the OIA East.

"As the season goes along, we'll get better and more confident. Hopefully, we're going to do good later in the season."