Campbell softball is unanimous No. 1

Since the beginning of the season, only once did any team collect more than 70 percent of the first-place ballots in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Softball Top 10.

Today, Campbell not only surpassed that threshold, but also became the first program this spring to be a unanimous selection by coaches and media as the state’s top softball team.

Aside from Kamehameha, which was No. 1 in Week 5 (Mar. 19), OIA West programs have ruled the rankings in every poll this season.

Another first for 2018: this is also the first time that four OIA teams have occupied each of the top four positions in the Softball Top 10.

It has been a demonstration of continual ascension for Campbell, which is 19-5-2 overall. Campbell finished regular-season play at 9-3, tied with Leilehua in the OIA West for first place. Then the Sabers defeated Mililani 11-1, Kapolei 11-1 and Roosevelt 6-3 in consecutive days to claim their first league crown since 2013. The Sabers will return to the DataHouse/HHSAA State Softball Championships next week as a three-time defending champion.

Campbell also has the highest win-loss percentage (.706) in the state against Top 10 opponents with a record of 11-4-2, including nonconference play.

Leilehua (13-6 overall), which lost in the OIA semifinals to Roosevelt 6-5, remains at No. 2 in the poll. The Lady Mules blanked Waianae 9-0, lost to Roosevelt, then trounced Kapolei 14-3 in the third-place game. The Lady Mules were No. 1 in Weeks 2 and 3 (Mar. 5, Mar. 12).

Roosevelt (15-2-1) finished two points behind Leilehua and is No. 3, up two notches from last week. The Rough Riders knocked out Pearl City 4-2, beat Leilehua and lost to Campbell in the OIA final 6-3.

Punahou (15-7) lost to ‘Iolani 6-4 in ILH playoff tournament play, but stayed at No. 4 in a tie with St. Francis. Punahou lost twice to the Saints in regular-season play.

St. Francis (10-5), which shared first place in the ILH regular season with Punahou at 9-3, bumped two spots higher. The Saints also have the state’s second-best win-loss percentage (.700) against ranked opposition. They will enter the Division II state tournament next week.

Kapolei (20-11), which was No. 1 in Week 7 (Apr. 9), dropped three spots to No. 6. The Hurricanes defeated Farrington 10-0 and Kaiser 13-2 in the first two rounds of the OIA playoffs before losing to Campbell 11-1 and Leilehua 14-3.

Maryknoll (14-7) and Pearl City (10-7-1) remained locked in position. The Lady Spartans are at No. 7 after beating then-No. 9 Kamehameha 5-2 and 11-10. The Chargers are at No. 8 after surviving in the OIA playoffs to secure a state-tourney berth. They edged Castle 8-7, lost to Roosevelt 4-2 and got past Waianae 8-7.

‘Iolani (11-9-1) returned to the Top 10 at No. 9 after wins over Mid-Pacific 15-8 and Punahou. The Raiders departed from the poll after Week 1, when they were No. 9, sandwiched by Mid-Pacific and Roosevelt.

Baldwin (15-4) lost to Lahainaluna 6-4 in eight innings, but remained at No. 10. The Bears defeated Maui 16-6 prior to the loss to the Lady Lunas.

BIIF frontrunner Waiakea (17-3) is two points behind Baldwin in the voting. Also receiving votes are Mililani, Kaiser and Kamehameha.

Kamehameha dropped out of the Top 10 for the first time this season.

Honolulu Star-Advertiser Top 10