By Ireland Castillo
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After sweeping Moanalua High School off their feet in the Oahu Interscholastic Association (OIA) JV Division I playoffs on Oct. 23, the JV girls softball team then faced off against the Campbell Sabers on Oct. 28 for the championship game. With a close match, the JV girls softball team finally took home the gold with a home run scored in the last inning, leaving the final score 2-1 in favor of MHS.
“This year, there is a lot of raw talent. (They) are very athletic and extremely smart,” said Head Coach Melissa-Ann Lehano.
In the first inning, the JV girls softball team was closely matched against Campbell, leaving the game at a standstill. However, by the second inning, a home run scored by Sophomore Taylor Schmerbauch left MHS in the lead against Campbell, with a score of 1-0. The score was evened during the fourth inning when Campbell scored, 1-1. “It’s been a battle. A battle of the pitchers,” said Lance Carreira, the grandfather of Pitcher Sophomore Misha Carreira.
Down to the last minutes of the final inning of the game, Hitter Freshman Cheyenne Ardona hit a home run, ending the game with a final score of 2-1. “I’ve recorded every hit before that and nothing. So this one, we went crazy. It was fun, exciting. I’m sure she’s happy. I’m proud of her,” said Michel Ardona, mother of Cheyenne Ardona.
Despite fielding a team of new players, the JV girls softball team has once again stolen the spotlight. “It was a sweet win. I’m proud of them. They worked hard and they just played together and it came together at the end. Good game against Campbell,” said Michel Ardona. Lance Carreira added, “It’s amazing, Mililani, we’ve been falling from the very beginning. The girls play together so well, that’s why they’ve come so far. They can’t just depend on one person. They’re together. The coaches did a good job in that, exemplifying the fact that you gotta play together and that’s why you can win.”
Lehano accredits the success of this year’s team to not only the girls, but to other staff members who have helped her throughout the season. “Every team is a reflection of the coaching staff. That holds true to the chemistry with my staff and players. I would not survive without (assistant coaches) Glenelle Nitta and James Millwood,” expressed Lehano. Similarly, players accredit this year’s success to their coaches. “I have to say our coaches because they went through a lot putting together a team (with) no returning JV players and so they’ve done a great job,” said Shortstop Freshman Tracie Okumura. Infielder Freshman Kaylee Johnson added, “I accredit this year’s success to the coaches because they put so much dedication and effort into our practices.”
As most of the girls are first-time players, they’ve come to recognize that the opportunity to play on the MHS JV softball team is an experience like no other. “It’s great. It’s really fun. The girls are all really fun to hang out with and the coaches are great,” said Okumura. “It’s amazing. Everyone (is) so good, lots of talent. Lots of wins.”
Despite practicing for two months, the progress of this year’s team has surpassed the expectations of Lehano herself. “The team has basically transformed throughout the season. They have come so far in every aspect of the game,” said Lehano.
After winning the OIA championships, the JV girls softball team has yet again ended their season successfully.
