Kapolei seizes No. 1 spot in the state

After seven weeks of polling, coaches and media have a new outlook on the top of the board.

The panel voted for Kapolei at No. 1 in the Star-Advertiser Softball Top 10, and Division II powerhouse St. Francis is in the poll for the first time this spring.

It’s the first visit to the top spot this season for the Kapolei under first-year head coach Keoke Behic. The Hurricanes are one of three teams from the OIA West occupying the top three positions. Leilehua, like Kapolei, gathered four first-place votes, but is at No. 2.

Last week’s No. 1 team, Campbell, slipped to No. 3.

It’s the second week in a row that the OIA West is in those top three spots. Kapolei (17-8, 7-3 OIA West), Leilehua (8-3, 5-2) and Campbell (13-5-2, 6-3) are in a scramble for the division lead with one week of the regular season remaining.

Kapolei defeated Pearl City 11-6 and notched a forfeit win over Nanakuli. Leilehua’s lone game was rained out. Campbell slipped after a 5-0 loss at Waianae. The Sabers bounced back with a 5-2 win at Pearl City.

The ‘Canes will play Leilehua today (Monday) and visit Waianae on Tuesday.

Leilehua has road games at Kapolei (Monday) and Campbell (Tuesday).

Campbell will host Leilehua (Tuesday), then play Mililani on Thursday at Tiger Softball Stadium.

Punahou (13-6, 7-3 ILH) remained at No. 4 after a wild 11-10 loss to St. Francis. The Buffanblu then edged Maryknoll 8-7 and routed Pac-Five 16-4. They host Mid-Pacific on Wednesday.

Maryknoll (11-5, 6-3 ILH) is also status quo at No. 5 after losing to Punahou, then defeating ‘Iolani 9-5 and Mid-Pacific 16-4 on the road. The Spartans are not currently scheduled to play any games this week.

St. Francis (7-4, 6-2 ILH) is arguably the best team in the ILH, which has a combined schedule for D-I and D-II programs during the regular season. The Saints’ win over Punahou puts them in a tie of sorts for the league lead. Coach Randy Langsi’s team has a gauntlet of a schedule ahead this week: at ‘Iolani today (Monday), at Kamehameha on Wednesday and at Mid-Pacific on Friday.

The Saints are 4-2 against Top 10 teams this season.

Kaiser and Roosevelt, last week’s No. 7 and 8 teams, are now tied at No. 7 in the Top 10. They share first place in the OIA East. Kaiser (10-5, 9-1) defeated Kailua 6-1 and Kalaheo 10-0 last week. The Lady Cougars will host Castle on Thursday.

Roosevelt (11-1-1, 9-1), which earned a first-place vote, blanked Kalaheo 18-0. The Rough Riders will play Farrington on Thursday. On Saturday, Kaiser and Roosevelt will meet at Tiger Softball Stadium.

Kamehameha (10-5, 5-3 ILH) dropped three spots to No. 9 following a 5-4 loss at Mid-Pacific. The Warriors will host St. Francis on Wednesday.

Mililani (15-8, 5-4 OIA West) had one game and it was rained out. The Lady Trojans will meet Campbell on Thursday and Pearl City on Saturday. Both games will be at Tiger Softball Stadium (McKinley).

Pearl City (6-5-1, 5-4 OIA West), last week’s No. 9 team, dropped out of the Top 10 after losses to Kapolei and Campbell.

The Chargers led the group of teams that also received votes. That group includes Baldwin, Waiakea, Waianae and Moanalua.

Honolulu Star-Advertiser Top 10