‘Aiea tops Radford, 7-1, to win third OIA Division II softball title
BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED APRIL 28, 2024
HONOLULU — Another crown come homes to ‘Aiea.
Na Ali’i jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as they pulled away from Radford, 7-1, to win the OIA Division II softball championship Saturday night at McKinley’s Tiger Softball Stadium.
It was ‘Aiea’s third league title in school history and its first since 2017 as Na Ali’i (15-1) ended league play with a 13-game winning streak.
“It’s amazing, it’s truly an honor to be a part of this team,” said pitcher Taja Souza, who was named the ‘Yeah U Player of the Game.’
Souza went the full seven innings in the win and allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out three. She improved to 10-0 in the circle and also batted 2-for-3 for a solid all-around performance.
“Her pitches were crisp, she was hitting her spots, making the pitches we called. It was awesome,” said ‘Aiea coach Alan Higuchi.
I think the last couple games she picked up the pace. It was something that was consistent throughout the year. Her last two or three starts, she started showing signs of that.”
Sisters CJ Peneueta and Nylove Peneueta led the way at the plate with five total hits and five RBIs.
‘Aiea’s lone loss of the season came against the Rams (13-3) on March 5.
“The first time we challenged them, it was a mental battle and I feel like we let them get to us,” said CJ Peneueta.
“Now we had more practice and more chemistry as a team and I feel this time around, we had more confidence and more trust in our teammates and ourselves.”
Radford was seeking its first-ever OIA title in school history.
Hawaii Men’s Volleyball outlasts USC in four sets to reach NCAA Final Four
PRINTABLE VERSIONMANOA — See you in Los Angeles Rainbow Warrior fans. The University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team punched its ticket into NCAA Final Four with a 25-22, 24-26, 25-23, 32-30 victory over the University of Southern California in a...
Hawai‘i NIL Bill SB 3263: Where Things Stand After Latest Legislative Movement
Hawai‘i’s debated Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) bill — SB 3263 — has reached its most advanced stage yet, with lawmakers moving closer to establishing a formal NIL framework for University of Hawai‘i student-athletes. After months of amendments across both chambers,...
USA Volleyball Hall of Famer Robyn Ah Mow steps down after nine years with Hawai’i
HONOLULU – It’s always hard being the coach after the coach, but it’s even harder to ask for anything more than what Robyn Ah Mow gave the University of Hawai’i Rainbow Wahine volleyball program. After nine years and eight seasons at the helm of...
Hawai’i gains commitment of former Davidson fan favorite wing Manie Joses
HONOLULU – The NBA Global Academy to islands pipeline is alive and well. Former Davidson forward Manie Joses became the latest player to announce their commitment to the University of Hawai’i on Tuesday, joining the Rainbow Warriors after spending...
Sharks Split Senior Day Doubleheader with PacWest-Bound Vulcans
On a day that celebrated leadership, resilience, and growth, Hawai‘i Pacific softball delivered a fitting Senior Day performance—opening with a statement win before falling in the finale to PacWest Tournament-bound Hawai‘i Hilo. Behind a dominant...
Long Beach State stuns Hawai’i late to take 2026 Big West Championship crown
They don’t say it’s hard to beat a team three times for no reason. The top-seeded University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team learned that saying the hard way on Saturday night in the 2026 OUTRIGGER Big West Men’s Volleyball Championship,...
No. 1 Hawai’i dispatches No. 5 UC San Diego in Big West semifinals
Good time for some get back. It took a little bit of a warm up, but the top-seeded University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team turned up the gas to accelerate away from No. 5 UC San Diego (13-14, 3-7 Big West) in four frames on Friday evening,...
Former UC San Diego big Bol Dengdit decides on Hawai’i for final year
HONOLULU – Priority locked. Former UC San Diego starting forward Bol Dengdit announced his commitment to the University of Hawai’i on Thursday, agreeing to jump to the islands for his final season of eligibility in 2026-27 as the Rainbow Warriors...
Tyler Arnold delivers Senior Day show as HPU smashes Chaminade
HONOLULU – Leave it to a sophomore to steal the day for the seniors. Behind a monster showing from 3B Tyler Arnold at the plate, the Hawaii Pacific University baseball team slugged a 19-1 mercy-rule shortened victory over rival Chaminade...
Khalilah Mitchell introduced as ninth head coach of Hawai’i Rainbow Wahine basketball
HONOLULU – On a day that she would field questions about her first collegiate head coaching job, Khalilah Mitchell first presented the local media with an inquiry of her own. “How do people hold their excitement?” She followed up quickly with her...