Hilo softball seeks power from chant
By Catherine E. Toth
Advertiser Staff Writer
"E Kumaumau" is a chant the Hawaiians sang while gathering koa for building canoes.
It signified teamwork and togetherness.
So it's no surprise, then, that the University of Hawai'i-Hilo softball team adopted it as its own.
Before every game the Vulcans gather to sing the chant introduced by the team's oldest member, fifth-year senior Michelle LaRose.
"When I heard it I thought maybe we should do that to pump ourselves up," said LaRose, who's one-fourth Hawaiian.
And maybe it's worked.
The Vulcans are on a 13-game winning streak, including this past weekend's sweep of Montana State-Billings at home. They remain undefeated in the PacWest Conference at 6-0 (15-2 overall).
The Vulcans boast three Players of the Week in a row, including LaRose, this week's honoree.
The senior first baseman was 8-for-11 at the plate in the four-game sweep of Montana State-Billings. She also recorded four stolen bases, three runs and four RBIs, raising her season batting average to a team-high .457.
"She made things happen when we needed them to happen," said head coach Callen Perreira. "Be it getting on base, beating it out or bunting ... She's one of our leaders both on and off the field."
Last season, the Kahului, Maui resident earned honorable mention all-conference honors at first base. She appeared in 39 games, and recorded 270 putouts and 20 assists with just nine errors. She posted a .302 batting average with three doubles and six walks while striking out 10 times.
She has come a long way since her debut five years ago.
Unprepared for college-level softball, LaRose worked hard in the weight room and during practice to get stronger and improve her hitting.
"It's taken her awhile to adjust to the college level of play and pitching," Perreira said, "and she's made the adjustment very well. That shows she's a headstrong person with a lot of determination."
Defeating the Yellowjackets this past weekend took a team effort.
Senior pitcher Taysha Anderson struck out 12 batters in 12 innings without allowing a walk and posted a pair of shutouts against the Yellowjackets. The pitching staff allowed just an unearned run in 28 innings.
This is the best start in Hilo's history. As a team the Vulcans post higher batting (.293 compared to .228) and slugging (.369 to .267) percentages than their opponents.
Part of their success comes from experience.
The Vulcans return 12 players, including nine starters. And for the first time, the school funded preseason trips to O'ahu so the team could compete in several non-conference games before the season began. That, along with good team chemistry, have helped the Vulcans.
"What's great about this team is that everybody can do their job when they need to," LaRose said. "And we have a really strong offense and our defense is getting better everyday."
This week's schedule
Basketball
Today
BYUH vs. Seattle Pacific, 3:30 p.m. (Hawai'i time), Coussoulis Arena (San Bernardino, Calif.)
Softball
Friday, March 8
BYUH at Chaminade, 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., PŒlolo Field
Sunday, March 10
Chaminade at HPU, noon, HPU Windward Campus
Tuesday, March 12
Vanguard University at UH-Hilo, noon, Hilo Softball Field
Wednesday, March 13
Vanguard University at UH-Hilo, noon, Hilo Softball Field
Baseball
TOMORROW
Santa Clara at UH-Hilo, 6 p.m., Wong Stadium
Saturday, March 9
Santa Clara at UH-Hilo, noon, Wong Stadium
Sunday, March 10
Santa Clara vs. UH-Hilo (2), 10:30 a.m., Kailua-Kona
Monday, March 11
Cal State Dominguez Hills at HPU, 7 p.m., Aloha Stadium
Wednesday, March 13
Cal State Dominguez Hills at HPU, 4 p.m., Aloha Stadium
Men's tennis
Monday, March 11
Navy at BYUH, 9:30 a.m., La'ie
Whitman College at BYUH, 2 p.m., La'ie
Tuesday, March 12
Butler at BYUH, 2 p.m., La'ie
Wednesday, March 13
Whitman College at UH-Hilo, TBA, Hilo
Women's tennis
Today
Cal State Sacramento at BYUH, 2 p.m., La'ie
Monday, March 11
Whitman College at BYUH, 2 p.m., La'ie
Tuesday, March 12
Westmont at BYUH, 2 p.m., La'ie
Wednesday, March 13
Whitman College at UH-Hilo, 10:30 a.m., Honolulu
Butler at BYUH, 2 p.m., La'ie
