Picture Credit: Lori McKeown
For the first time in school history, Maryknoll won the DI HHSAA Softball State Championship. The ILH runner-ups faced off against the ILH Champions, the Iolani Raiders on Thursday night, May 12, 2022, under the lights at the Rainbow Warrior Softball Stadium at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
It didn’t take long for the Spartans to make their statement. After a leadoff double from Carys Murakami, Nellian McEnroe-Marinas reached first on an HBP. Jannalyn Sniffen cashed in early with a three-run home run to take a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Raiders closed the deficit to one run. Ailana Agbayani hit a two-run home run, which brought home Lexie Tilton who reached on a walk. However, besides the lone hit from Kennadie Tsue in the fifth, the Iolani bats were silenced by Maryknoll pitcher Sniffen.
Maryknoll added some insurance runs in the top of the fifth inning on McEnroe-Marinas’ two-run bomb which hit the middle of the netting in left-center field and brought home Murakami who reached on a walk.
Congratulations to both teams on an incredible season!
