The 2025 Pearl City Chargers, OIA Division II champions. | Photo Credit: Ku’ulei Agbayani, HSRN
Pearl City continues perfect season, claims first OIA crown in 46 years
BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED APRIL 27, 2025
HONOLULU – The drought is over.
The Pearl City varsity softball team jumped on Aiea (8-3) early and never let go of the lead late, continuing an undefeated season while securing the 2025 Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II title with a 10-2 victory over Na Ali’i on Friday night at McKinley High School. The victory was the first time since 1979 that the Chargers (11-0) emerged from the OIA as champions and the third total league title in program history.
Freshman pitcher Haley Shinjo earned the win for the Chargers, going 5.1 innings and striking out three as she allowed just two runs on seven hits and a trio of walks. Pearl City reached base frequently, tallying 12 hits and using six Na Ali’i errors to take a 5-0 lead through two innings before adding some cushioning in the bottom of the sixth with a four-spot.
Pearl City catcher Phoenix Lumabao went 2-for-2 with four runs scored and another run batted in, stroking a solo homer in the bottom of the fourth inning. Second baseman Samantha Nakamatsu went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and third baseman Maile Oda also collected a trio of RBIs with a 2-for-4 showing at the plate.
Aiea starting pitcher Chrijon Peneueta faced trouble from the jump, seeing Na Ali’i opt to swap hurlers to Taja Souza as early as the opening frame to try and keep Pearl City off balance. Defensive woes and the Chargers’ constant peppering of pitches opened the game up and Aleia-Lyn Tonaki-Sagucio closed the door for the regular season OIA D2 leaders.
Pearl City beats Aiea 10-2 to win the 2025 @OIASports DII Softball Championship 🥎🏆 @HIsportsradio pic.twitter.com/JwzYXJ1xyt
— Ku'ulei (@KuuleiAgbayani) April 26, 2025
Both teams already had clinched spots in next week’s 2025 DataHouse/HHSAA Division II Softball Championship tournament, which will begin on May 6 and run through May 9 between McKinley High School and Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
Report: Hawaii F Isaac Finlinson intends to enter transfer portal
HONOLULU – Winds of change keep blowing into the islands. Hawaii forward Isaac Finlinson will enter the transfer portal when it opens on April 7, his agent Daniel Poneman told ESPN’s Jeff Borzello on Friday morning. The 6-foot-8 sharpshooter...
Despite loss, HPU Baseball shows promise ahead of busy April
They didn’t come away with the upset win to send shockwaves across the state — but for a stretch — the Hawai’i Pacific University Sharks smelt blood in the water. The HPU Baseball team fell short to the University of Hawai’i Wednesday night in a...
Report: Hawaii G Aaron Hunkin-Claytor intends to enter transfer portal
HONOLULU – Let the music begin. Just under two weeks ahead of college basketball’s annual game of musical chairs starting for the 2026 cycle, the University of Hawai’i found out their point guard from this past season would be joining the...
New Culture, New Standard: HPU Women’s Basketball Builds Its Foundation on Sharks Weekly
This week’s Sharks Weekly highlighted a Hawai‘i Pacific University Women’s Basketball program in transition—one not defined by its record, but by the foundation being built under first-year head coach Brent Gibson. Joined by student-athletes Jaylen...
Moanalua Cruises Past Kaiser 46-13, Improves to 4-0 in OIA Girls Flag Football
The defending OIA champions from Moanalua continued their strong start to the season Wednesday evening, rolling past Kaiser 46-13 in OIA girls flag football action. Nā Menehune improved to a perfect 4-0 on the year, showcasing the same form that...
Inouye earns first save with Hawaii, shuts down former team in 4-1 win
MANOA — Redemption came full circle for Ryan Inouye on Wednesday night. The right-handed side-arm pitcher recorded his first save with the University of Hawaiʻi, closing out a 4-1 victory at Les Murakami Stadium over his former team — Hawaiʻi...
Waianae keeps it rolling with win over rival Nanakuli, 26-14
Kawena-Lynn Kaluna had herself a game. The Wai’anae sophomore quarterback threw two touchdown passes and added two more scores on the ground to power the Seariders to a 26-14 win at Nanakuli Tuesday night. Wai’anae improved to 2-0 with the win...
HPU take series opener over Chaminade with fast start, 11-7
WAIPAHU — The Hawaiʻi Pacific University baseball team wasted no time getting back on track. Tyler Arnold’s one-out solo home run in the bottom of the first ignited a seven-run inning as the Sharks defeated Chaminade 11-7 in the Pacific West...
Dillon Gabriel gives back with upgrades for Mililani baseball
MILILANI — Dillon Gabriel is continuing his long-standing commitment to giving back to his alma mater, unveiling a newly renovated baseball clubhouse and locker room at Mililani High School last Saturday. The project marks the sixth consecutive...
Hawaii edges Long Beach State in five sets on night one
The last time the University of Hawai’i men’s volleyball team beat Long Beach State inside the Pyramid, most of the current roster hadn’t entered middle school yet. That changed on Friday night as No. 3 Hawai’i (18-3, 1-0 Big West) opened the...
