Kyralee-Marie Cordeiro is heading to Warner Pacific University soon, but until then, the Lady Rams of Radford are having the championship season of their lives.
With the senior leading the way, Radford scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning to regain the lead and upset top-seeded Nanakuli 6-4 to capture the OIA Division II softball championship on Saturday night at Tiger Softball Stadium.
Cordeiro, Radford’s starting shortstop, went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, a run scored, two doubles, a walk and three stolen bases. She also pitched the final five innings in the circle, permitting two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and three walks issued.
“I’m not surprised. Maybe just a little,” Cordeiro said. “Being able to listen to our coaches is what got us here in the first place. My four years have been amazing. We made it (to the OIA final) in my sophomore year, but we fell short, but ever since then, we knew we could do it.”
It is the first OIA softball crown for Radford. Nanakuli had won five OIA titles, the last in 2023. The Lady Rams didn’t flinch, committing just one error in their first game on TV all season. It was quite the tug-of-war between the Rams and Nanakuli. On April 15, Nanakuli won at Radford, 9-8. Two days later, the Golden Hawks were at home for an 11-9 victory over the Rams. Both games were rough defensively for Radford, but that changed on title day.
“We talked about it. If anything, simplify it. Take it one at a time. When you’re batting, one pitch at a time. They have the skill level,” Radford coach Maua Baughn said. “They’ve got to believe and execute. I feel great. It didn’t go the way I envisioned. I envisioned more hits, but you know what? A win is a win and we’ll take it. Kyra has the maturity and it showed in this game. We have some strong underclassmen, but the experience and maturity showed.”
Radford (14-4 overall) earned a first-round bye in the DataHouse/HHSAA Softball State Championships, which begin on May 9 on Maui.
Nanakuli (16-4 overall) was 12-0 in the regular season, but on championship day, it was the Golden Hawks with the fielding boo-boos, committing five errors. Nanakuli pitcher Kailey Naehu was remarkable, pounding a pair of two-run homers while going the distance on the mound. She allowed two earned runs on six hits with four K’s and three walks.
“Radford’s a tough team. Congratulations to them. That’s one heck of a team,” Nanakuli coach Kenny Naehu said. “Today, we had some errors on defense. We didn’t hit we as we normally do.”
The Lady Rams surged into the lead in the top of the sixth with two runs. Karlee-Ann Cordeiro led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Nanea Arakawa. Kyralee-Marie Cordeiro ripped a double to left, scoring Karlee-Ann Cordeiro for a 5-4 Radford lead.
Si‘itia Baughn then singled to left, bringing Kyralee-Marie Cordeiro home for a 6-4 lead.
That lead held into the bottom of the seventh. Kailey Souza was hit by pitch on an 0-2 count to lead off. After Jaisha Barrozo grounded into a forceout, Kailey Naehu walked. Kyralee-Marie Cordeiro then retired Keani Naehu on a fly ball to left and then Leila Felisi on a fly ball to deep right-center to end the game.
The Golden Hawks jumped to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Kailey Souza reached base on a fielding error by Kyralee-Marie Cordeiro, and after Barrozo grounded into a forceout, Kailey Naehu blasted a two-run homer to left center.
Two Nanakuli errors led to three unearned runs off Naehu, the starting pitcher. Emma Hoolulu-Kapule walked with one out and an errant pickoff attempt by catcher Momo Felisi allowed her to advance to second base. Brandie Pahia-Obra’s line drive was muffed by center fielder Sadie Manabat, giving Nanakuli runners at the corners.
Karlee-Ann Cordeiro’s grounder to first allowed Hoolulu-Kapule to score from third base for Radford’s first run. Arakawa walked and Kyralee-Marie Cordeiro followed with a double to right-center, plating Pahia-Obra and Arakawa for a 3-2 Radford lead.
Another gift from Nanakuli helped the Lady Rams in the top of the third. Taylie Ti‘iti‘i led off with a ground ball that went through the legs of third baseman Leila Felisi. Meghan Castro was hit by pitch, and Hoolulu-Kapule lined a single to center, scoring Ti‘iti‘ti from second base for a 4-2 cushion.
Kyralee-Marie Cordeiro replaced Ti‘iti‘i in the pitcher’s circle in the bottom of the third frame. Nanakuli greeted her with two runs to tie the contest.
Barrozo socked a one-out double to right-center, and Kailey Naehu cranked a first-pitch home run over the center field fence, her second long ball of the game, to tie the game at 4-all.