Campbell Softball Team Has Full Lineup Of Games Ahead
By Jack Danilewicz
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As expected, the Oahu Interscholastic Association Red West softball race has been one with little margin for error so far.
All the more reason that Campbell coach David Perreira and the Sabers are weary of Pearl City as they visit the Chargers Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. If anything, the Chargers’ uncharacteristic 0-4 start in Red West play figures to make them more dangerous.
The Pearl City game also comes within a key four-game stretch for the Sabers, who were to play Leilehua on Saturday while key games with Kapolei this Saturday and Mililani next Wednesday will follow closely. Leilehua, Kapolei, Mililani and Campbell all entered the weekend tied atop the West standings with 3-1 records.
With four losses, Pearl City may be out of the race, but the Chargers can still have a huge impact on who wins the West.
“(Pearl City coach) Keoke (Behic) always gets his team ready to play,” said Perreira, whose team is seeking a second consecutive West regular-season crown. “They stay in games, and they’ve played every team tough.”
Among Pearl City’s losses were near-misses to Kapolei (5-3) and Leilehua (6-5) in recent weeks. For their part, the Sabers have relied on a strong veteran cast this spring led by senior pitcher Breanne Patton, who entered the weekend with wins in both of her starts to date this season. She threw a no-hitter March 18 to lead Cambell to a 15-1 win over Aiea and gave up only two hits in the Sabers’ 3-0 win over Waipahu last Wednesday.
“Bre is playing really well right now, and the same with (sophomore pitcher) Katie (Manuma),” said Perreira.
“We’re on the right pace now, although our hitting could improve,” he continued. “We’re hitting OK, but not as good as I feel we can. Hopefully, it will all come together. Overall, our girls are committed to working hard and being out there every day.”
Perreira also praised the play of infielders Loreen Egdamin and Nicole Arata, who is the lone freshman in the Sabers’ lineup.
“Loreen is doing really well - she’s leading the team in hitting,” Perreira said of Egdamin. “We expected Nicole to come in later in the season, but she’s really picked it up and has been playing well.”
Perreira also sees senior Amber Kaulia’s role expanding in the coming weeks. She was off to a late start after helping the Campbell girls’ basketball team to the Division II state championship in February.
“She’s been getting back into softball shape,” Perreira said. “She didn’t play in any pre-season games, but she’s been swinging the bat a little better.”
The Sabers are hoping to earn the West’s top seed for the upcoming OIA Tournament. In addition to a first round bye, the No. 1 seed also gets to host a second round game.
“It’s all for the (favorable) seeding right now,” said Perreira.
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