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SPORTS

ALL-STATE SOFTBALL

Taryn Kiani Jerzie Kezia Day-Lee Quinn Cairah

Irimata: Soller: Liana: Lucas: Mua Williams: Waiki: Curran:
Campbell Kamehameha Waianae Kamehameha Kamehameha Campbell Campbell
Pitcher Pitcher Pitcher Catcher Infield, Junior Infield Infield
Senior Junior Senior Sophomore Position Player Junior Senior
Pitcher of the Year of the Year

Campbell ace Irimata, Kamehameha

dynamo Williams rose above the rest
By Paul Honda down time of ’20 and ’21 save
phonda@staradvertiser.com
FIRST TEAM her arm and body for incredible

T
he trend isn’t always a
friend.
Elite pitching has
declined in recent years
as players veered toward field
positions as bat technology
reached new horizons.
Finding an ace pitcher has
become more rare than ever.
That’s why Taryn Irimata is a
rare gem. The Campbell right-
hander capped her career in the
most adverse four years in prep
softball history by hurling the
Lady Sabers to the Division I
state championship.
Campbell’s first state title
since 2017 was a dream come
true for seniors like Irimata, who
went 20-0 this spring with a 0.98
ERA and 187 strikeouts with only
24 walks in 1352⁄3 innings pitched.
In nonconference tournaments,
she was the only pitcher to con-
sistently stifle Kamehameha’s
epic hitting attack. Irimata threw
92⁄3 scoreless innings against the
Warriors in two tourneys, allow-
ing just four hits with 16 Ks and
three walks issued. The Sabers
and potent Warriors later met for
the state championship, a 4-3
win by Campbell as Irimata
capped her career with a state
crown.
“It was something we wanted
since middle school and to win
it felt like a dream come true,”
she said. “Also, because every
game we played in states, we
won by just one run. But the
championship game, especially,
was like no other.”
In addition to Irimata’s
Star-Advertiser All-State Pitcher
of the Year honor, two team-
mates joined her on the first
team: shortstop Quinn Waiki and
second baseman Cairah Curran.
The clutch go-ahead homer by
Curran in the top of the seventh
inning was the pinnacle of
Campbell’s rally, providing the
Sabers with their third one-run
win in as many games at the
state championships.
Their longtime guru, Shag
Hermosura, was voted Coach of
the Year by the panel of coaches
and media. Kamehameha short-
stop Day-Lee Mua Williams was
voted Position Player of the Year.
Warriors coach Mark Lyman
was second in Coach of the Year
voting after a super season guid-
pitching as a junior and senior?
Pos Name School Yr. Statistics Whatever the scenario,
Irimata’s preparation and
P Taryn Irimata Campbell Sr. 20-0, 0.98 ERA, 187 SO, 24 BB, 61 hits, 1352⁄3 IP
training were constant. She grew
P Kiani Soller Kamehameha Jr. 9-1, 4.79 ERA; 2-1, 4.00 ERA in states stronger each year after dedicat-
P Jerzie Liana Waianae Sr. 12-3, 1.73 ERA, 101 SO, 85 IP, .417 BA, 12 RBIs ing herself in the weight room.
C Kezia Lucas Kamehameha So. 10 HRs, 34 RBIs, 18 runs, .453 BA; 1.057 slugging Ask Irimata about stats and
IF Day-Lee Mua Williams Kamehameha Jr. 10 HRs, 30 RBIs, .463 BA, 16 runs, .444 in states she cares only about winning.
“I feel like numbers aren’t so
IF Quinn Waiki Campbell Jr. .509 BA, 6 HRs, 20 RBIs, 21 runs, .965 slugging
much of a big thing to me. I feel
IF Cairah Curran Campbell Sr. .521 BA, .617 OBP, 22 runs, go-ahead HR in final like the winning as a team is
IF Kaui Garcia Mililani Jr. .460 BA, 8 HRs, 26 RBIs, 23 runs bigger,” said Irimata, who will
OF Moani Ioane Waianae Sr. .518 BA, 7 HRs, 25 RBIs, 23 runs pitch at Nevada next season.
OF Marley Espiau Kamehameha Jr. .375, 5 HRs, 24 RBIs, 24 runs “It’s more of a wholesome and
just greater feeling and moment,
OF Makanani Sonognini Baldwin Sr. .683 BA, 20 runs, 13 RBIs, .571 at states
winning with the girls. Although
U Jenna Sniffen Maryknoll Jr. 4-3, 4.78 ERA, .684 BA, 6 HRs, 19 RBIs, 30 runs it does feel good and doesn’t
>> Pitcher of the Year: Taryn Irimata, Campbell hurt to be recognized for some
>> Position Player of the Year: Day-Lee Mua Williams, Kamehameha of my accomplishments.”
>> Coach of the Year: Shag Hermosura, Campbell Williams was a key component
in a juggernaut Kamehameha
lineup that may have been the
most powerful and productive in
school history. The junior who
has commited to Georgia batted
.463, had an on-base
percentage of .513 and slugged
.970. She drove in 30 runs, scored
16 and clubbed 10 home runs.
At the state tournament,
Williams batted .444 with an
OPS of 1.389, four RBIs and
three runs scored. She socked
one home run — in the state
final against Irimata.
“Watching her play is always
amazing. She always plays
loose and makes things look
effortless,” Irimata said. “She’s
a great opponent and is always
a challenge.”
Williams was part of a stacked
Warriors lineup that scored at
PHOTOS BY CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
least nine runs in 16 out of 17
games.
Taryn Irimata, left, and Day-Lee Mua Williams are the state’s top players. “I first saw Mua back in 2021
when she was with Maryknoll.
She was a freshman, but so
ing the program to the ILH title “Pitchers tend to get tired 1.49 ERA, 523 strikeouts and just strong and so composed at the
and a runner-up finish at states. throughout the game, but Taryn 74 walks in 3571⁄3 innings pitched. plate. She had multiple hits off us
Irimata’s mastery in the circle gets stronger. She is able to make In the ’23 state-title season, that year, including a home run,”
was enough to cool big blue. adjustments inning by inning. In Campbell went 24-1-3 overall. Lyman said. “Then, that summer,
“I had heard about her since the championship game, we Irimata did not pitch in the I was told she was transferring to
her freshman year. I heard that were able to get to her early, Sabers’ preseason loss to ’22 Kamehameha and I was very
she was great, but due to the then she was able to make some state champion Maryknoll. excited. What really stood out to
abbreviated seasons, we didn’t adjustments and get stronger.” It began in 2020 as Irimata me was, even though she wasn’t
get a chance to play her until Despite a shorted regular posted a 9-0 mark against many eligible to play last year, she
this year. She definitely was as season and canceled postseason of the state’s top programs in really bought into the team. It
advertised,” Lyman said. “She in 2020, and cancellation of play- preseason of her freshman year. killed her to not be able to play,
has excellent velocity and a offs and the state tournament in She was 2-1 in OIA West play but she did everything she could
tremendous change-up that will ’21, Irimata racked up stupen- when the pandemic ended the in practice. She would take extra
keep you guessing. She is also dous numbers in the rugged OIA season in mid-March. batting reps in the cage, be a
very accurate and can put the Western Division. Counting If not for the pandemic and bullpen catcher, or whatever the
ball where she wants it. She can preseason, regular-season and canceled seasons in Hawaii, team needed. She did it with a
really paint the corners and postseason games, she finished would she have surpassed 600, smile on her face and a lot of
expand the zone. her career with a 43-7 record, even 700 strikeouts? Or did the positive energy.”

Kaui Moani Marley Makanani Jenna Shag

Garcia: Ioane: Espiau: Sonognini: Sniffen: Hermosura:
Mililani Waianae Kamehameha Baldwin Maryknoll Campbell
Infield Outfield Outfield Outfield Utility Coach of the Year
Junior Senior Junior Senior Junior

SECOND TEAM THIRD TEAM HONORABLE MENTION

Pos. Name School Yr. Pos. Name School Yr. Kamryn Aoki, Mililani Leici-Mae Camara, Waimea
P Kiara Baba ‘Iolani Sr. P Keira Uegawachi Kaiser Jr. PITCHERS Jewels Hanawahine, Kamehameha
P Makayla Pagampao Mililani Jr. P Jer-Zee Ragasa Maui Sr. Kayla Mashino, Moanalua Harley Acosta, ‘Iolani UTILITY
Karlie Espinoza, Maryknoll Taryn HIrano, Mililani
P Kandi Malama-Ahlo Kapolei So. P Molly Dyer ‘Iolani Jr. Shazlynn Ancheta, Leilehua Breani Kahalehau, Maui
C Mia Carbonell ‘Iolani Jr. C Braiesey Rosa Waianae Sr. Kennadie Tsue, ‘Iolani Palehua Silva, Maryknoll
CATCHERS Kylie Tanimura, Kalani
IF Kolbi Kochi Mililani Jr. IF Lorraine Alo Campbell Sr. Sianni Sakai, Waimea
Jayla Stephens, Kapolei Bailey Nagasako, Baldwin Ryanne Yoshimura, Waipahu
IF Jerrell Ori Mailo Waianae Fr. IF Taryn Ho Punahou So. Rylee Yamasaki, Kaiser
Hailey Flint, Nanakuli Ryleah Torres, Waimea
IF Nevaeh Telles Kamehameha Sr. IF Shonty Passi Punahou Sr. Caydence Kauhi, Kailua
IF Chenoa Cainglit Kapolei Sr. IF Madixx Muramoto Kalani Sr. INFIELDERS OUTFIELDERS
Casey Ann Ross, Lahainaluna
OF Milla Fukuda ‘Iolani Sr. OF Trendee Kahunahana Kaiser Sr. Kahiwaleinaniokealoha Ili, KS-Hawaii
Aliya Hashimoto, Punahou Sydney Capello, Punahou Niueni Elisara, Radford
OF Kaiana Kong Campbell Sr. OF Naomi Stremick Kalani Fr. Miquela Leopoldo, Kamehameha Amber Aniya, Mililani Sophia Avin, Radford
OF Mariah Antoque Kamehameha Jr. OF Kayara Tuiloma Kapolei Jr. Hunter Salausa-Galletes, ‘Iolani Teiah Keliiholokai, Campbell Chloe Horikawa, Pac-Five
U Teizsha Kaopuiki Waianae Jr. U Milan Ah Yat Pac-Five Sr. Briana Sarae, Maryknoll Sunni Kahanu, Mililani Elyse Yoshioka, Pac-Five