WAIPI'O — Discipline and patience paid off big time for Mililani last night in a 6-3 O'ahu Interscholastic Association semifinal softball victory over Moanalua.

The Trojans (12-2) will face Western Division rival Campbell (13-1) for the championship tonight at Central O'ahu Regional Park. First pitch is set for 7, and the game will be televised live statewide on OC-16.

Campbell defeated Mililani twice in the regular season, but the Trojans showed last night they have renewed focus in the playoffs.

"Last time against Campbell (a 7-6 loss) things didn't go our way," said Mililani catcher Skye Virtudes, whose three-run homer in the top of the first inning last night gave the Trojans a lead they would not relinquish. "But since then we've practiced super hard and we're focused. We're looking forward to tomorrow."

Virtudes said it was focus and discipline at the plate that allowed her to launch an 0-1 pitch from Na Menehune ace Sarah Robinson over the left-field fence. Robinson entered the game with an 11-1 record and an earned run average under 1.00.

"I tried to stay disciplined, because I knew she throws a lot of 'up' balls," said Virtudes, whose towering blast followed a leadoff walk by Kristi Oshiro and Celina Garces' bunt single. "I wanted to be patient and look for the first pitch I could drive. At first I thought it was too shallow, so when I saw it go over the fence, it was a big relief."

Moanalua cut it to 3-2 in the fourth inning on Le'a Tamura's one-out, two-run single down the right-field line. Jamie Ronolo led off the inning with a single to left and sister Britni Ronolo followed with a single to right, and Dawn Dela Cruz's sacrifice bunt advanced them to second and third.

Courtney Senas' sacrifice fly scored Oshiro in the fifth inning to make it 4-2. Oshiro had led off with a single and advanced to second when the ball got past the center fielder.

But Na Menehune cut it to one run again when Britni Ronolo hit a one-out triple to right-center and scored on a wild pitch.

Mililani widened the lead again in the seventh after Glennelle Nitta's one-out single and Chanelle Senas' RBI single to left one out later.

The Trojans collected nine hits, with several being well-placed grounders into open spots in the Moanalua defense, and aggressive base running put constant pressure on Na Menehune.

"We knew (Robinson) throws the 'up' ball, so we had to be disciplined and lay off that and not pop it up," Virtudes said. "Once we got the lead, we could be aggressive on the bases."

Meanwhile, Mililani pitcher Makani Duhaylonsod allowed five hits and was supported by an errorless defense.

"It's like Skye said, they were disciplined, and that's what we needed to be," Moanalua coach Kris Morikawa said. "We weren't coming through on key at-bats because we were chasing balls instead of waiting for the right pitch. But it's a good loss for us, because sometimes you need to be woken up. It gives a chance to regroup before the state tournament. It's better to deal with it now and get it out of our system."

MILILANI (12-2) 300 010 2 — 6 9 0

MOANALUA (12-2) 000 201 0 — 3 5 1

Makani Duhaylonsod and Skye Virtudes; Sarah Robinson and Kawehi Chan. W — Duhaylonsod. L — Robinson.

Leading hitters — Mililani: Celina Garces 2-3; Virtudes 3-run homer; Chanelle Senas 3-4, RBI. Moanalua: Britni Ronolo 2-3, triple; Le'a Tamura 2 RBIs.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.