All-state choices on Hawai'i Island Movers

Advertiser Staff

Three baseball players from this year's all-state first team are a part of this summer's Hawai'i Island Movers baseball team.

Shaun Kiriu, Spencer Omalza, Mark Veneri and the rest of the team begin their 31-game season tomorrow against the West O'ahu All Stars.

Kiriu, who played for Punahou, batted .293 with five doubles, one home run and 11 RBIs. He also had a team-high 14 walks and seven stolen bases. As a pitcher, Kiriu had a 6-2 record with an 1.89 ERA and team-high 59 strikeouts against 14 walks.

Omalza, the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Western Division Player of the Year, batted .500 in the regular season and went 4-1 as a pitcher. Also a shortstop for the Mules, he helped Leilehua earn a share of the OIA West title.

Veneri was one of Punahou's biggest threats at the plate this year, batting .375, hitting five doubles, two triples, two home runs and driving in 24 runs.

Other team members on the 33-player roster include Keoni Ruth, last year's state Player of the Year who batted .342 for the University of San Diego this season, Issac Kamai, all-state first team last year for Kamehameha and former Iolani pitcher Tyler McCready.

Nathan Thurber, who batted .257 for the University of Hawai'i baseball team this past season, is one of several UH players on the team. A majority of the team consists of local players who just completed their high school careers and players who prepped in Hawai'i and play college baseball on the Mainland.

This year's team will be coached by Richard Olsen.

The season runs through August and includes a trip to Japan and South Korea. All home games are at Les Murakami Stadium.

2004 Home Schedule

June

• 23—West O'ahu All-Stars, 6 p.m.
• 24—West O'ahu All-Stars, 6 p.m.
• 25—O'ahu All-Stars, 6 p.m.
• 26—O'ahu All-Stars, 6 p.m.
• 27—O'ahu All-Stars, 2 p.m.

July

• 15—O'ahu All-Stars, 6 p.m.
• 16—O'ahu All-Stars, 6 p.m.
• 17—O'ahu All-Stars, 6 p.m.
• 18—O'ahu All-Stars, 2 p.m.
• 22—Santa Clara Red Sox, 6 p.m.
• 23—Santa Clara Red Sox, 6 p.m.
• 24—Santa Clara Red Sox, 6 p.m.
• 25—Santa Clara Red Sox, 2 p.m.
• 29-Aug. 1—Tournament 1 (Sapporo, Osaka Gakuin Univ., San Mateo Bulldogs)

Aug.

• 5-8—International Tournament (Hiroshima Big Six Universities All-Stars, Kansai Students Universities All-Stars, O'ahu All-Stars)

All home games played at Les Murakami Stadium