Sheldon Lee scattered six hits in a seven-inning shutout and Buen Hatanaka had a double and two sacrifice flies yesterday as 'Iolani blanked Kamehameha, 7-0, for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu regular season title and its first state tournament berth since 2000.

The victory at Ala Wai Field improved the Raiders — ranked No. 2 in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll of coaches and media — to 13-2 in ILH play and earned them the No. 1 seed in the league tournament which begins tomorrow.

"It's a big relief," said 'Iolani senior first baseman Reyn Nagamine, a four-year starter. "Ever since I was on the varsity as a freshman, this was one of our goals, because (the Raiders) haven't been to the state tournament for a while. It's nice to see us come together and see all the hard work finally paid off."

'Iolani got some help from the No. 3-ranked Warriors, who fell to 12-3 after forcing yesterday's one-game playoff with a victory over Maryknoll on Saturday.

An error to start the bottom of the third inning led to three unearned runs, and another infield error in the fourth helped keep alive a four-run rally.

"We had some defensive miscues that led to big innings for them, and we cannot afford to give extra outs to a team like 'Iolani," Kamehameha coach Vern Ramie said. "The top part of their lineup led the way by capitalizing and swinging the bat. Our goal was to keep the bases empty when they came up, but the bottom part of their order did a good job."

No. 9 batter Kela Marciel reached on an errant throw to lead off the bottom of the third, and advanced to second on Breland Almadova's one-out single to left field. Jarrett Arakawa then lined a single to center, scoring Marciel, moving Almadova to third and taking second base himself on the throw home.

Hatanaka followed with a sacrifice fly to right, and Arakawa made it 3-0 by scoring on another infield error.

The Warriors' defensive problems continued in the fourth, after Grant Iwamoto walked to lead off the inning. A sacrifice bunt attempt resulted in a pop-out, but a throw to an empty bag at first base on Marciel's bunt single set the table for RBI singles by Jensen Park and Almadova, and Hatanaka's bases-loaded sacrifice fly to right made it 6-0.

Nagamine then followed with a run-scoring single to right for a 7-0 lead.

That was more than enough support for Lee, a left-handed junior.

Lee allowed a hit in every inning except the fourth and sixth but did not allow a runner past second base. He struck out four and walked none, and also got help from two double plays, including a 5-4-3 twin killing to end the game.

"It was all about sticking to the plan — throw what the catcher calls, and the catcher calls what the coach calls," Lee said. "The key was to mix speeds and keep the ball down, and go after the batters."

Ramie said Lee "kept us off-balance all day."

"Sheldon pitched a great game," Ramie said. "We had some opportunities, but we couldn't execute and we could not get timely hits, that was the main thing. We couldn't get the two-out hit today."

Lee said pitching with 3-0 and 7-0 leads helped.

"I felt more confident, more comfortable," he said.

Regarding the state tournament berth, Lee said: "It's crazy, epic. It's been so long ... we're excited."

KAMEHAMEHA (12-3) 000 000 0—0 6 3

'IOLANI (13-2) 003 400 X—7 8 0

Alika Pruett, Chris Pascual (4) and Keanu Carmichael. Sheldon Lee and Grant Iwamoto. W — Lee. L — Pruett.

Leading hitters — Kamehameha: Kalei Hanawahine double; Pi'ikea Kitamura double. 'Iolani: Breland Almadova 3-4, 2 runs; Buen Hatanaka double, 2 RBIs; Kela Marciel 2 runs.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456. Read his blog on high school sports at www.preptalk.honadvblogs.com.

SOFTBALL

ROOSEVELT 3, KAHUKU 1

Lianna Bajarin threw a six-hitter with 11 strikeouts and Charisse Tanabe hit a home run to help the Rough Riders beat the Red Raiders in an O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference Eastern Division game.

Jazmin Toa gave Kahuku a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning, but Roosevelt came back with three runs in the bottom of the fifth, including Tanabe's homer.

Kathleen Nakata went 2 for 2 with a double for the Rough Riders, who moved into a tie for first in the Red East.

KAHUKU (1-9) 000 100 0—1 6 1

ROOSEVELT (9-1) 000 030 X—3 8 1

Kalee Phelps and Brenda Capillan. Lianna Bajarin and Lindsay Takekawa. W — Bajaran. L — Takekawa.

Leading hitters — Kahuku: Jazmin Toa solo homer. Roosevelt: Charisse Tanabe home run; Kathleen Nakata 2-2, double.

Reported by Christina Johnson.