Kamehameha takes throne, No. 1 in softball poll

The softball shuffle is simply stunning.

For the third time in four weeks of the Star-Advertiser Softball Top 10, there is a new No. 1. Kamehameha moved up from No. 2 to the top spot today after collecting six of the 10 first-place votes.

The Warriors are 10-2 overall and 5-0 in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu. They overpowered Mid-Pacific 13-1 in five innings last week.

Campbell, which was atop the throne in the opening week of the poll, gathered three first-place votes and finished just one point behind Kamehameha in the balloting. Three-time defending state champion Campbell (11-3-2, 4-1 Oahu Interscholastic Association West) edged Pearl City 5-4 and Mililani 0-6 last week.

Leilehua (7-3, 4-2 OIA West) dropped to No. 3 after holding down the top spot for two weeks. The Mules lost to Kapolei 9-3 and defeated Nanakuli by forfeit.

Roosevelt remained unbeaten in the OIA East at 5-0 (7-0-1 overall) and nudged higher by one position to No. 4. The Rough Riders defeated Kalaheo 20-2 and Farrington 15-0, each in five innings. Roosevelt will meet the East’s other unbeaten team, Kaiser, on Tuesday.

Kapolei (13-7, 3-2 OIA West) rose one notch to No. 5 following a 9-3 win over then-top ranked Leilehua at the Lady Mules’ home field.

Punahou (10-4, 4-2 ILH), which was tied with Kapolei at No. 6 last week, remains in the same slot. The Buffanblu lost to St. Francis 9-3, then outlasted Maryknoll 5-4 in eight innings at Tiger Softball Stadium.

Maryknoll (8-4, 3-2 ILH) dropped to No. 7 after beating Mid-Pacific 4-1 and losing to Punahou.

Pearl City (4-3-1, 3-2 OIA West) rose one spot to No. 8 despite losing last week. The Chargers fell at Campbell 5-4, then edged Waianae 3-2.

Kaiser (6-4, 5-0 OIA East) inched up to No. 9 this week. The Lady Cougars blanked Kailua 2-0 and topped Castle 6-3.

Mililani (12-7, 2-3 OIA West) slipped two positions to No. 10 after the loss to Campbell.

St. Francis (4-4, 3-2 ILH) is just two points behind No. 10 Mililani. The Saints were within four points of then-No. 10 Roosevelt in the first Top 10 of the season.

A week later, St. Francis was within six points of then-No. 10 Pearl City. Other teams receiving votes are Baldwin, Waiakea, Waianae and ‘Iolani.