ILH Softball
Kamehameha surges ahead of Saint Francis, 8-2

Brandon Ching | ScoringLive
March 4, 2017, 11:52pm

 
Steve Erler | SL
KAKAAKO — Kamehameha overcame a first inning deficit, but scored eight unanswered runs to drop Saint Francis, 8-2, in an Interscholastic League of Honolulu opener at McKinley's Tiger Softball Stadium on Saturday.

"I'm happy with the outcome and we were able to pick it up after the first inning and came together to get the win. It gives us confidence and now we have to keep working and not settle for anything else," said Dallas Millwood.

The Saints (0-1) are the lone Division II team in the ILH, but Saint Francis coach Randy Langsi is not concerned about division classification. He is more concerned about competing in every game.

"We don't look at it as D1 or D2. There's no excuse, you still have to be on the field to perform regardless of level. We have to raise our game more and clean it up and we'll get there. We're going after it hard," said Langsi.

Rayla Jacobs-Kea, who played mostly in the outfield, started on the mound for her first pitching debut at the varsity level to lead the Warriors (1-0). She pitched a complete game to strike out three and allowing one of Saint Francis' two runs.

"I think we backed her up well, but we have been working hard in practices and I'm glad we were able to back her up," said Dallas Millwood, on the defense.

"Rayla has been on varsity for three years and this is the first game she pitched and she did an outstanding job. She'll settle down from here on out and get better as the season goes on," said Kamehameha coach James Millwood.

Junior first baseman Dallas Millwood went 3-for-5 with four RBIs and a run to spark the bat attack for the Warriors.

Kaena Keliinoi reached on a Warrior error, Kolbee Kealoha walked, and Skye Ah Yat singled to load the bases for the Saints. Keliinoi scored after Sammie Ofoia grounded out to short for the first run of the game.

"We knew they had big bats so we were worried about making those plays," said James Millwood.

The Warriors went small with successful back-to-back bunt singles and Gabby Tyrell reached on a fielder's choice. Jacobs-Kea's RBI single tied the game.

"We were going to do it when we have a chance and we worked on it. They bunted well and put the ball in play to force the defense to play," said James Millwood.

Millwood helped rally the Warriors' bats with a two RBI double to right center to give Kamehameha the lead and never looked back from there.

"I wanted to get that hit as soon as possible to get us some runs," said Dallas Millwood.

Alana Cobb-Adams singled near right field and Millwood brought her in with a single to left.

Sophomore Sierrah Kupihea started on the mound for the first four innings in the loss and Tiare Guerrero came in for the next three innings.

"We have a lot of things to work on, we left too many errors on the field, but I think we'll be okay," said Langsi.

Facing two outs, Ofoia crushed a solo home run to center field for their second run, but the Saints could not get any closer as Kamehameha's defense tightened up.

"We have confidence in our defense. I think it helped settle her (Jacobs-Kea) down," said James Millwood.

Cobb-Adams walked to lead off the sixth inning and Millwood was there to pull through and brought her home for her fourth RBI of the game. Millwood scored a run off of Maiah Motta's RBI single to left field to for a 7-2 lead.

Laa Bertulfo, who came in at the top of the seventh added the final run of the game off of Kyler Stephens' sacrifice fly.

The Warriors go through a three-game gauntlet in four days starting on Mar. 8 as they face Punahou (1-0), Iolani (1-0), and Maryknoll (0-1) in that order.

The Saints' next game will be against Pac-FIVE (0-1) on Mar. 8 at Ala Wai Park.

Reach Brandon Ching at brandon@scoringlive.com.