Untouchable, season-long dominance in the Oahu Interscholastic Association could’ve rendered an undisciplined team open to complacency come tournament time.
That’s not these Campbell Sabers.
The softball standouts from Ewa Beach completed an unbeaten run through the OIA by putting away Waianae, one of their chief rivals this season, 7-0 in the championship game at McKinley on Saturday night.
Ace Taryn Irimata was on her game in pitching a one-hitter and the OIA West’s No. 1 seed jumped on the Seariders with a six-run second inning.
“We knew we couldn’t get complacent, so we would just tell each other that we can be beaten at any time,” said Irimata, a University of Nevada-bound senior who faced two batters above the minimum. “Not to think that we’re just going to run over everybody, and to come out with the same hunger every game.”
Irimata, who also went the distance in Campbell’s 5-2 comeback win over Mililani in the semifinals, picked up her 12th win in 13 OIA games. She struck out six and walked one.
The top three batters in the Sabers’ order did nearly all of the damage as shortstop Quinn Waiki, second baseman Cairah Curran and third baseman Nanea Pantastico each drove in two runs. Waiki was 3-for-4. Pantastico and cleanup hitter Lorraine Alo had a double.
Campbell will be the OIA’s seeded team in the Division I HHSAA softball tournament, which runs May 2-5.
Irimata voiced confidence in what the OIA, particularly the West teams, can do at states.
“I definitely think, us, Waianae, Mil, we’re going to make a run for it in states,” Irimata said. “They’re two really good, strong teams,” she said. “They’re probably two of the teams we enjoy playing because it’s really good competition. I think we can make a good run for it.”
Waianae (10-3), bolstered by some talented transfers this season, suffered all three of its losses to Campbell. The Seariders got a single from Jerrell Oriana Mailo in the second inning and Moani Ioane drew a two-out walk in the seventh.
Kehau Tambaoan-Kaeo got the start for Waianae and lasted two innings before giving way to ace Jerzie Liana, who pitched the remaining four with one run allowed.
It was Campbell’s eighth OIA softball title and third in the last four editions of the OIA tournament. Michael “Shag” Hermosura has been coach for six of them.
The Sabers gave Hermosura a celebratory dousing from the team’s water jug.
Preceding the Division I final, Nanakuli bested Aiea 9-5 for the OIA Division II championship.
The Golden Hawks (14-0) run-ruled nine teams during the OIA season and playoffs, but Na Alii (12-2) were their toughest foe.
Melody Makanaole-Baligad tossed a five-hitter and helped her own cause by going 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Leadoff hitter Daniellea Samson-Wright went 3-for-4 with an RBI. Haley Flint, Kali‘a Cordeiro and Ariel Barrozo-Carrillo drove in two runs apiece.
It was Nanakuli’s fourth OIA title and first since it three-peated from 2012 to 2014.
Brian McInnis covers the state's sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.