Kahoalii's confidence shines through
By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer
After last season, Hawai'i-Hilo softball coach Callen Perreira pulled aside his sophomore pitcher and told her she had to throw with more control, more confidence.
Too many walks, he told her.
Kristine Kahoalii took that to heart.
During this past weekend's Ko'olau Klassic Tournament, Kahoalii compiled a 3-0 record, posting two shutouts in leading the Vulcans to the tournament championship. In 21 innings, she allowed just one run.
She struck out six, and walked just five.
It was no surprise, then, that Kahoalii was named the Pacific West Conference's Player of the Week.
"After two subpar seasons for her, she's determined to win," said Perreira, who has coached Hilo for 11 consecutive winning seasons. "She goes out there with a different attitude now. She's more confident that she can get the job done, and she has teammates to back her up."
Kahoalii's hard work during the offseason is starting to materialize in more consistent pitches and better movement.
"This year, instead of trying to strike out every single batter, I'm working on hitting my spots and moving (the ball) around the plate," said the 5-foot-6 junior from Fremont, Calif. "I figure I can't strike out everybody; I'll end up walking them. I'm focusing on getting them to pop up or hit a ground ball. I'm not trying to overpower them."
And Kahoalii is lucky to have a veteran team behind her. Literally.
The bench runs deep for this year's squad, which features 12 returnees and starters in every position except right field.
That experience contributed to a sweep in the six-team Klassic. Hilo (9-2) plowed through the competition with a 7-0 record, defeating Chaminade, 5-0, in Monday's final. Hilo outscored its opponents, 38-10.
Though Kahoalii pitched a shutout in the title game, holding the Silverswords to six hits and a walk while striking out two, she was most proud of her performance against Concordia on Sunday when she pitched a five-hitter and allowed one run.
"I had more confidence (in that game)," Kahoalii said. "Their batters were really on, and I had to work a little bit harder. I was glad I held them to just one run."
BASEBALL
• Back in action: After a two-week hiatus, a refreshed Hawai'i Pacific University team gets back in action at Hans L'Orange Park in Waipahu this weekend.
The Sea Warriors (9-9), coming off a six-game sweep of Arkansas Tech, open a five-game series with Cal State-Los Angeles (5-13) that runs Friday through Sunday.
"I think this rest kind of helped us," HPU coach Allan Sato said. "We had some wounds that needed to be healed, so it was good to have the two weeks off."
The Sea Warriors' top hitters have been second baseman Wade Taguchi (.400, 3 HRs, 16 RBIs) and third baseman Jonathan Torres (.379, 3 HRs, 27 RBIs).
Pitchers Neil Sullivan (1-1, 5.19) and Brandon Kahale (3-0, 6.55) have been workhorses out of the bullpen with 11 and eight appearances, respectively. Sato is happy with their reliability.
"They've had to throw twice a day in doubleheaders and on back-to-back days," Sato said.
Meanwhile, the Hawai'i-Hilo (3-22-1) is off this weekend before opening a three-game series with Brigham Young in a rare beginning of the week series. They play a doubleheader 3 p.m. Monday and a single game at 3 p.m. Tuesday. Both dates are at Wong Stadium in Hilo.
The Vulcans have won two of their last four, splitting a four-game series against Pepperdine.
Advertiser staff writer Stacy Kaneshiro contributed to this story.
