Lady Sabers return to top spot

After one week at the top of the totem pole, the Kapolei Hurricanes have been bumped off.

Three-time defending state champion Campbell has usurped the throne in the latest Honolulu Star-Advertiser Softball Top 10 released today. The Sabers opened the season at No. 1 and are now at the coveted position for a fourth time in a dizzying storm of a season in prep softball. Campbell (16-5-2, 9-3 OIA West) swept through a crucial week with a 6-5 win over Leilehua, a 12-2 romp over Mililani and a forfeit victory against Nanakuli.

Coach Michael “Shag” Hermosura‘s Lady Sabers aren’t alone at No. 1. Campbell’s baseball team is also at No. 1 in the Star-Advertiser Baseball Top 10 today for the first time in 2018.

Despite the loss to Campbell, Leilehua (10-4, 7-3 OIA West) remained locked at No. 2 thanks to an 8-4 road win at Kapolei and a forfeiture over Nanakuli.

Kapolei (18-9, 8-4 OIA West), one of four teams to hold the No. 1 spot over the past eight weeks, dropped to No. 3. The Hurricanes played a plethora of nonconference games to prepare for the tough OIA West season. They have more wins over Top 10 teams — 12 victories with seven losses — than any team in the state.

There are a handful of teams that played fewer Top 10 teams overall, but have better winning percentages: Campbell (8-4-2), Punahou (8-4), St. Francis (6-3), Maryknoll (10-5) and Roosevelt (2-0-1).

ILH leaders Punahou (14-6, 8-3) and Maryknoll (11-5, 6-3) did not make a move in the balloting. Punahou remained at No. 5 after a 21-2 rout of former Top 10 squad Mid-Pacific. Maryknoll did not play last week, but faces Pac-Five today, St. Francis on Tuesday and Kamehameha on Wednesday.

Roosevelt climbed one spot up to No. 6 after a 21-1 win over Farrington and an 8-4 victory over Kaiser at Tiger Softball Stadium that was clipped after five innings.

St. Francis (9-5, 8-3 ILH) made its debut in the Top 10 last week at No. 6, then lost 1-0 at ‘Iolani. The Saints then roared over Kamehameha 18-3 and Mid-Pacific 12-0. They dropped one spot to No. 7, essentially trading places with Roosevelt.

Roosevelt-St. Francis would be quite a battle, but fans won’t get to see it. St. Francis is in Division II and is heading toward a top seed in the HHSAA state tourney.

Kamehameha (11-6, 6-4 ILH) moved up a notch to No. 8 despite the blowout loss to St. Francis. The Warriors trounced Pac-Five 12-2 later in the week and will meet ‘Iolani today and Maryknoll on Wednesday.

Pearl City (7-5-1, 6-4 OIA West) returned to the Top 10 at No. 9 after a 9-3 win on the road at Waianae. The Chargers’ game against Mililani was rained out, but they will face Leilehua today.

Mililani (15-8, 5-5 OIA West) has been a lock at No. 10 for the past three weeks, and four of the last five polls. The Lady Trojans had just one game last week, the loss to Campbell.

While Kaiser dropped out of the Top 10 after being tied at No. 7 last week with Roosevelt, Baldwin finished the voting just one point behind Mililani. The MIL-leading Bears are 10-0 in league play (12-3 overall). Other teams receiving votes are BIIF front-runner Waiakea (13-3, 13-0), Kaiser (10-7, 9-3 OIA East) and Moanalua (9-4-1, 9-3 OIA East).

‘Iolani (8-8-1, 5-5 ILH), with its upset win over St. Francis, received a vote for the first time since Mar. 19. For comparison’s sake, here’s how No. 10 Mililani stacks up against the ARV (also receiving votes) squads against Top 10 competition.

>> Mililani: 6-8
>> Baldwin: 2-3
>> Waiakea: 0-3
>> Kaiser: 3-3
>> Moanalua: 1-4-1
>> ‘Iolani: 3-7-1

Honolulu Star-Advertiser Top 10