Campbell KOs Kapolei to claim OIA Division I title

Dalexy Sanchez belted two home runs as Campbell routed Kapolei 19-1 in five innings to capture the OIA Division I softball championship on Saturday night at Tiger Softball Stadium.

The senior smoked a grand slam in the first inning and a solo shot in the third off her Dynasty Hawaii club teammate.

“Maya (Jelf) throws a lot of off-speed balls, but she threw a fastball,” Sanchez said. “She’s actually so sweet and genuine.”

Campbell rode the pitching of sophomore Lily Perreira, who allowed just four hits, struck out one and walked two. The Sabers are peaking, and might just be the team to beat at states.

“I feel like now, this whole season we had a hard time stringing it together as a team,” Sanchez said. “That held us back from what we could be. Going into the postseason we made it a point to make sure that we came together and continue to trust each other and what we have as a sisterhood. Thinking that no one’s record is better, just 0-0.”

Sanchez did not start in the first two games of the playoffs.

“It was hard for me not starting, but I trusted that my coaches would do what was right and I trusted that my sisters would be there to do my job for me and they did,” she said. “Tonight I knew I had to be there for them.”

It is the first OIA crown under first-year head coach Katie (Manuma) Epenesa. The Lady Sabers shocked two-time defending OIA and defending state champion Mililani 6-4 in the semifinal round on Friday.

Epensesa was drenched by a Gatorade shower during the postgame TV interview.

“I’m super proud of their fight. They kept their heads down, kept showing up to practices even through the setbacks. It was hard for them to follow. Seeing their growth and determination to come back, figure it out, and it’s a brand-new team,” Epenesa said.

Kapolei coach Enson Queypo looks at the big picture and a superb season thus far for the Hurricanes.

“You’ve got to give Campbell credit. They hit the ball all over the place. We didn’t hit their pitching, and we tip our hats to them,” he said. “Our young team, this is all experience that we’re gaining and gaining. This game doesn’t define what we have for the future. I’m proud of these girls. Nobody expected us to be here and we made it to the championship game.”

Coming into the battle with Kapolei, Campbell (25-6 overall) had beaten the Hurricanes twice in preseason tournaments, and once during OIA West play before Kapolei returned the favor, beating the Sabers 7-6 on April 3.

Kapolei (18-7 overall) had a super tourney run but ran into the hottest team in the state. The DataHouse/HHSAA Softball State Championships begin on May 6, giving teams some time to rest, heal, recalibrate and refocus.

In two previous regular-season starts against Campbell, Jelf was 0-1, allowing nine earned runs in 15 2/3 innings with four strikeouts and 11 walks.

The Lady Sabers welcomed her with six runs in the top of the first inning. Nanea Pantastico led off with a double to left, and after Taylor-Elise Mendoza popped up, Sophia Alo singled to right. Kaienna Fuentes-Arellano walked to load the bases for Rylee Saito, who singled to left, scoring Pantastico with the game’s first run.