Kalani's Kitagawa OIA East's Player of Year

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kalani senior Randy Kitagawa, who was 4-1 with a 1.16 ERA, struck out 14 against Kahuku, 12 against Kailua and 10 against Kaiser. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Then he'd throw a sharp breaking pitch that sank straight into the dirt.

"Kitagawa!" Ishigo yelled.

Everyone knew what he was referring to: Kalani left-hander Randy Kitagawa, who struck out 12 Kailua batters in a 4-1 victory on April 21.

Kitagawa used that wicked curveball to strike out many other batters in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division, leading to his being named Player of the Year in a vote of East coaches.

Kitagawa went 4-1 with a 1.16 earned run average during the regular season. In addition to the Kailua win, he also struck out 14 and walked one in a 7-2 victory over Kahuku and pitched a one-hitter with nine strikeouts in a 1-0 win against Moanalua.

In his only loss, a 4-0 defeat at Kaiser, Kitagawa pitched a five-hitter with 10 strikeouts.

Most important, Kitagawa's pitching helped the Falcons finish second in the East with an 8-2 record despite losing four starters at the start of the regular season.

Kailua led the way with three first-team selections: first baseman Ryan Rodrigues, second baseman Tyler Harrison and shortstop Michael Kealoha.

Kaiser, Moanalua and Roosevelt each had two players on the first team: Kaiser placed third baseman Colby Ho and outfielder Scott Uehara, Moanalua was represented by Glen Taijeron and utility player Andrew Blomberg, and Roosevelt had outfielder Joshua Danz and designated hitter Jared Furtado selected.

Farrington catcher Matt Bell rounded out the first team.

Kalani's Shannon Hirai and Kaiser's Peter Ho shared Coach of the Year honors.