KAHULUI - The Maui High School softball team had just three hits Saturday, but the last one proved to be the deciding factor.
Shaine Spenser tripled during a two-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning, and the Sabers recorded their first Maui Interscholastic League victory of the season, defeating King Kekaulike 3-2 at Patsy Mink Field.
"In the beginning it was kind of rough," said Spenser, who struck out and popped out twice in her previous at-bats. "But then I pulled through with my last hit because I knew I had to get it done."
Article Photos
Maui High School’s Samantha Ohigashi pitches during the third inning of the Sabers’ 3-2 victory over King Kekaulike on Saturday at Patsy Mink Field.
The Maui News / CHRIS SUGIDONO photo
Maui High (1-5) had scored in the first inning. King Kekaulike (1-5) tied the game in the sixth on Sylvania Amor's two-out RBI single. The Sabers had two runners on with one out in the bottom of the sixth, but could not score, and an unearned run in the seventh gave Na Alii the lead.
With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Katelyne Dougherty was hit by a pitch, bringing up Spenser.
"I knew I had to get on, or move the runner," Spenser said. "Because if I didn't, we wouldn't be in scoring position."
Fact Box
MIL STANDINGS
| DIVISION I | ||||
| W | L | Pct | GB | |
| Lahainaluna | 6 | 0 | 1.000 | — |
| Baldwin | 4 | 1 | .800 | 1 1/2 |
| KS Maui | 2 | 3 | .400 | 3 1/2 |
| King Kekaulike | 1 | 5 | .167 | 5 |
| Maui High | 1 | 5 | .167 | 5 |
| DIVISION I | ||||
| W | L | Pct | GB | |
| Seabury Hall | 2 | 2 | .500 | — |
| Hana | 1 | 1 | .500 | — |
| Lanai | 1 | 1 | .500 | — |
| Molokai | 1 | 1 | .500 | — |
| St. Anthony | 1 | 1 | .500 | — |
* * *
Saturday's Results
Maui High 3, King Kekaulike 2
Hana 14, St. Anthony 12
Lanai 13, Seabury Hall 4
Lahainaluna 11, Kamehameha Maui 0, 5 innings
* * *
Wednesday's Games
Kamehameha Maui vs. Baldwin at Eddie Tam Field, 4 p.m
Maui High at Lahainaluna, 4 p.m.
* * *
Friday's Games
St. Anthony vs. Hana at Keopuolani Park, 4 p.m.
Seabury Hall at Lanai, 4 p.m.
Sabers coach Bobby Medeiros said he knew Spenser was "due for a hit."
"I just talked to her when she went up to the plate and told her she's due for one and she got one," he said.
Spenser's line drive to right field tied the score, and she came home on a passed ball.
"It was a real good game," said Na Alii coach Willie Perry. "We just didn't put anyone on base and kept hitting right to the opponents, but we'll try again next time."
Spenser had the only extra-base hit of the game.
"I think both teams played well, but hitting wasn't that good," Medeiros said Maui High's Samantha Ohigashi pitched a complete game, allowing four hits and no earned runs.
* Chris Sugidono is at csugidono@mauinews.com
_______________
Maui High ............. 100 ..... 000 ..... 2-3 ..... 3 ..... 4
King Kekaulike ..... 000 ..... 001 ..... 1-2 ..... 4 ..... 2
Samantha Ohigashi and Samantha Fenton. Kailey Nobriga, Karlee Rose Perry (7) and Kaitlin Perry. W-Ohigashi. L-K. Perry. 3B-Maui High: Shaine Spenser.
