SOFTBALL WINS ILH CHAMPIONSHIP
by Chris Shimabukuro
Photos by Susan Lum
Friday, May 1, turned out to be a special May Day for the `Iolani varsity softball team as they defeated a strong Mid Pacific Institute team 2-0 to capture the ILH Championship.
It's been a season to remember for the diamond kids as both baseball and softball have secured ILH championships.
`Iolani, which had already won the first round of the regular season, needed to defeat MPI to avoid a tie for the second round and a playoff game.
`Iolani scored the only two runs of the game in the bottom of the first inning after Lahela Usui reached first on an error, advanced to second when Kim Souza walked, took third on a passed ball and scored on an infield single by Kryn Masutani on a ground ball that bounced over the pitcher's head. With runners on first and third, Amanda McCaskill pushed a bunt past the pitcher for a base hit that scored Kim from third base.
After the first inning, both defenses and pitchers dominated the game.
`Iolani’s Britney Guro held MPI to two hits while striking out 12 batters. Guro improved to 13-1 on the season while allowing only one earned run in 14 games.
This game marked the last home game for five `Iolani seniors; Guro, Kelli Ann Lum, Shanna Tashiro, Jana Tokuhama, and Keli Umeda.
This is `Iolani’s first ILH softball championship since 2001.
`Iolani finished the regular season with a record of 13-1 and advances to the state tournament and will play its first game on Wednesday, May 13 at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
Seniors plus Tami......
