Iokia’s slam helps Maryknoll clinch ILH regular-season title

Sheyzhelle Iokia belted a grand slam in the bottom of the fourth inning as Maryknoll rallied past Kamehameha, 4-2, to clinch the Interscholastic League of Honolulu regular-season softball title on Wednesday at Sand Island Park.

“High and in. That is my go-to pitch,” said Iokia, who finished 2-for-3 with four RBIs. “I had two strikes. I think (Kamehameha pitcher Peahi Grilho) was trying to make me chase her rise ball, but I saw it go up. I didn’t know it was going to go over.”

Leadoff hitter Reyni Hiraoka went 3-for-3 with a run and a walk for the Spartans, who improved to 12-1 in ILH play (18-3 overall). Maryknoll plays Pac-Five in its regular-season finale today. Kamehameha (20-5-1 overall) dropped to 11-2 and plays ‘Iolani on Friday.

Because Maryknoll won two of its three games with Kamehameha, the Spartans would earn the round-one title and top seed in the double-elimination playoffs (round two) if the teams finish the regular season in a tie.

Maryknoll also secured one of the ILH’s two state-tournament berths.

“I’m excited. Super excited for states,” senior catcher Palehua Silva said. “I’m glad we got the opportunity to get the easy way in.”

Molly Davi went the distance, permitting two unearned runs on four hits. She struck out one and walked none, pitching to contact and saving her best stuff for clutch situations. Maryknoll won despite four errors.

“I tried to keep their batters off balance. I was working all around the zone,” Davi said. “I say, next play.’”

Davi’s counterpart, Grilho, dodged trouble in the first three innings as Maryknoll stranded six runners. Deep balls to right and center died in the sky as the wind off the beach blew in.

Grilho struck out three and walked five in six innings, but kept her team in the game. Through the first three frames, she did not allow a run and the Spartans had just two hits.

Meanwhile, Kamehameha took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Anela Pau reached base on an error by the shortstop, Hiraoka. After Jaylee-Rose Penitani popped out, Aariah Goo singled to left.

With runners at second and first, Siva Gaea sent a bunt to third, where Iokia’s throwing error allowed Pau to score. However, right fielder Leah Izuka rifled the throw home, where catcher Silva made a diving tag on Goo for the second out of the inning.

Davi then induced Tatumn Sunio into a force out to close the inning.

In the bottom of the fourth, Grilho retired the first two batters before Kyla Abad battled and sent a 2-2 pitch up the middle for a single.

Hiraoka singled and Silva walked, loading the bases. The count on Iokia was 2-2. Unlike the dead zones in right and center, Iokia’s deep ball to left kept carrying, and Maryknoll suddenly had a 4-1 lead.

“I was so surprised,” she said. “I almost missed first base.”

From there, Davi retired the final seven batters in succession.