Continuing its calm march toward history, Roosevelt blanked Baldwin, 3-0, last night to advance to its first DataHouse/ HHSAA Softball State Championship game since 1986.

The No. 2 seed Rough Riders, who won their first O'ahu Interscholastic Association title two weeks ago, improved to 16-1 in the regular and postseason, and will face OIA runner-up Mililani (15-3) tonight at 7.

The game will be televised live statewide on OC16 from Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

Junior Lianna Bajarin tossed a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts and no walks last night to lead Roosevelt, which is making its first state tournament appearance since 1999.

"That pitcher was too tough," said Baldwin coach Joseph Duran. "She was moving the ball around and had us guessing. She was hitting that outside corner, and before our hitters realized it, it was too late. Usually we live off of (opponents') errors, but tonight it didn't happen, because the pitcher just controlled the game. She did a hell of a job."

The Rough Riders took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third on Brianne Leong's RBI fielder's choice grounder and Kamalei Pitoy's sacrifice fly to center field.

That lead proved enough for Bajarin, who allowed only two runners to reach second base — in the first and fourth innings.

"It helps getting a couple runs in early," Roosevelt coach Clay Okamura said. "She was staying focused and trusting her defense."

The Rough Riders added another run in the seventh, after two singles and an outfield error, but Bajarin — who gave up a three-run double in the seventh inning against Sacred Hearts on Thursday — did not need it. She set down the final eight batters in order.

"I didn't prepare any different," Bajarin said. "I just worked hard, made no excuses, and our defense was solid. There was less pressure (with the lead), and they weren't hitting my drop."

Bajarin needed only 75 pitches and threw 59 strikes.

ROOSEVELT (16-1) 002 000 1—3 6 2

BALDWIN (14-1) 000 000 0—0 2 2

Lianna Bajarin and Lindsay Takekawa. Kaitlyn Watanabe and Malia Killam. W — Bajarin. L — Watanabe.

Leading hitter — Roosevelt: Samantha Murakami 2-2.

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