OIA East preview

By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer

Moanalua will call on senior left-hander Kyle Nakamichi in key games. Advertiser library photo • May 7, 2001

CASTLE
(9-5, school field)

Coach Joe Tom Jr. said the Knights "showed the ability to rise to the occasion under pressure" in a victory over Soquel, Calif., in the Mid-Pacific Kitamura tournament. "We played a very complete game."

He has a deep pitching staff of 6-foot-4 senior RHP Ryan Lum, and three junior right-handers, Kirk Okumura, Noah Kon and Darin Hamada.

Seniors Jordan Tom (SS) and Jason Taniguchi (C) anchor the infield.

This is the 50th year of coaching for one of Castle's assistants, Joe Tom Sr. "He says he may retire this year," said Joe Tom Jr., who is in his 12th year as head coach at Castle and 30th year overall in coaching.

FARRINGTON
(1-3, Joey DeSa Field)

Coach Brian Okada has only 12 players, led by senior RHP Criston Barba, senior utility player Chris Faavesi, who pitches and plays first and third base, and senior 2B Sanford McKee, who also pitches.

KAHUKU
(6-1-1, Kahuku District Park)

Senior and sophomore right-handers Kyle Pao and Melvin Silva III will handle the pitching. Senior SS Jeremiah Bohnet and senior C Alex Ponciano, a switch hitter, are other leaders.

New head coach Syd Kawahakui was pleased with his team's poise hitting against all-state pitchers Keahi Rawlins and Ikaika Lester in a loss to Moloka'i.

KAILUA
(6-11-3, school field)

Kailua's preseason record can be deceiving. "Our guys are athletes who play many different sports. It takes them some time to get into baseball shape," coach Corey Ishigo said.

Five starters return from the team that won the Eastern Division, OIA and state championships last year. They are RHP/SS Steve Santos, RHP Chad Kajiyama and 1B/3B Jarid Kawamoto, all seniors, and SS/2B Shaun Sasaki and C Cody Texiera-Vickery, both juniors.

CF Kealii Kalahiki leads juniors up from the JVs who "are doing all right filling in," Ishigo said.

Based on preseason, "we are not one of the teams to beat," Ishigo said, but he hopes a 16-10 victory over Campbell Saturday means "hopefully, we are ready to play now."

KAIMUKI
(7-4, school field)

"We'll have to play tight defense because our pitchers will be hit," said new head coach Paul Brown. One of the Bulldogs' preseason losses was by a score of 27-2 to 'Aiea.

Senior C Leland Ohelo and senior middle infielder Tino Caires are Kaimuki's most experienced players. Most of the others are converted football players, Brown said.

KAISER
(school field)

Victories over 'Aiea and Hilo highlighted the preseason, in which the Cougars won about half their games, coach Duke Chinen said.

Senior RHP Jason Peters will get pitching help from senior David Chu, who has moved from SS to 3B for his non-pitching days. Senior OF John Uehara gives Kaiser a dangerous left-handed hitter.

Kaiser might start two freshmen, SS Neale Asato and OF Landon Kaaua, "but they can play," Chinen said.

Kaiser's record "will depend on which team shows up. We are not consistent yet, but we have a good bunch of kids," said Chinen, who is in his fourth year as coach.

KALAHEO
(5-4, Kailua Recreation Center)

"The boys really put it together in our last two games (victories over 'Aiea and Radford in the East-West tournament)," coach Alex Racoma said.

Senior Mike Garcia is a true utility fielder. He plays C, 1B, OF, pitches and is the Mustangs' best clutch hitter, Racoma said.

RHP Nick Sargent and CF Chris Kojima are other key seniors and junior SS Aren Viveiros leads the defense.

KALANI
(6-10, Kahala Field)

Senior 3B Travis Canonizado batted .581 and junior 1B Len Shimabuku hit .416 in preseason. Senior RHP Bryce Sumida is the most experienced of the pitching staff that includes sophomore Randy Kitagawa and junior right-hander Asher Tamanaha. Kalani's junior varsity was unbeaten last year.

McKINLEY
(2-8, school field)

Senior right-handers Blaine Yoshina and Ty Tokunaga are the starting pitchers and senior Tyson Kaneshiro catches them. The Tigers have a promising freshman in Jarren Hirasaki, who plays second base, shortstop, pitches and is a good RBI batter.

"The key will be whether our defense can hold up," coach Lester Higa said.

MOANALUA
(8-19, school field)

The Menehune got plenty of preseason experience, playing in four tournaments.

Senior CF Jimmy Strombach, who hit five home runs last year, is the hitter coach Scott Hamada wants at the plate in must-score situations. Senior LHP Kyle Nakamichi will get the call in key games. Senior 2B/SS Geoffrey Say could play a pivotal role.

ROOSEVELT
(6-6-1, Stevenson Intermediate)

The Rough Riders' preseason included victories over Mid-Pacific and Kamehameha and a 1-0 loss to St. Louis in the championship game of the Mililani tournament. "We've been playing good team defense. We made only one error in the Mililani tournament," said coach Kerry Higa.

The left-right combination of senior pitchers Chris Mols and Brandon Loo could be Roosevelt's best in over a decade. Senior CF Corey Higa has been a consistent hitter and SS Ivan Fujii is solid.

"This is one of the better groups of guys I've had," said Higa, who is in his 10th year at Roosevelt. "We are better balanced defensively, which complements this year's pitching. We have been doing the unselfish things — bunting and hit-and-run.

"We're playing with confidence and hopefully we can ride it through the season."