Leilehua explodes for 11 runs in the fifth to defeat visiting Nanakuli

WAHIAWA — Patience works.

A defensive showcase between Leilehua and Nanakuli turned into an offensive showcase in the bottom of the fifth when the Mules rattled off 11 runs to pull away for a 12-6 win in an OIA Division-I West softball game at Ka’ala Neighborhood Park Saturday morning.

Leilehua (4-2) trailed 4-1 heading into the bottom of the fifth and was able to take advantage of a couple of walks and errors to prolong the inning. The Mules would take their first lead of the game, 5-4, on Arria Vierra’s three-run homer over the left field fence before finishing the inning with a 12-4 advantage.

“It was right down the middle, it was low too. It was a perfect pitch,” Vierra said of her go-ahead blast.

Vierra, who batted in the six-hole, also had a triple in the fifth to finish with five total RBIs in one inning alone. She also made a handful of strong defensive plays in center field, which included an inning-ending double-play on a throw to home plate that denied the Golden Hawks of a score in the top of the first.

“I’ve never had a play like that so that was my first one,” Vierra said of the double play. “I’ve always tried throwing home but that was the first one that I ever got a girl out at home.”

For her efforts, Vierra was selected as HSRN’s ‘VIP of the Game,” presented by Fun Factory Games.

Arria Vierra celebrates with first-year Leilehua coach Brandi Leong after hitting a triple in the bottom of the fifth inning. | Photo credit: Brian Bautista

Pitcher Ciara Fortuno earned her first complete game win of the year in the win as she improved to 2-0 in the circle. She allowed just three earned runs while striking out two and utilize her defense to make plays to get the needed outs.

“I think she worked hard and she was pitching in all the right places because our defense was able to get the outs. I think she did really good,” Vierra said of Fortuno, who also had a double and drove in two runs at the plate.

Breeann Leong was another standout for the Mules, reaching base in all five plate appearances with four walks drawn and three runs scored. Isabella Mercado and Nevaeh Makaniole also joined Vierra as Leilehua players who finished with multiple hits.

While their record isn’t the best, the Golden Hawks (0-6) are slowly improving. Although it gave up 11 runs in the fifth, Nanakuli was able to force Leilehua to play the full seven innings after getting mercy-ruled in its four previous games. The Golden Hawks also scored in four different innings and had a two-run homer by Jenna Ku in the top of the third to give themselves a 3-0 lead.