Hawai'i prep stars in Sugar Mill Classic
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
What do big league pitcher Jerome Williams and All-America catcher Kurt Suzuki have in common?
Both are alumni of the Aloha Sugar Mill Classic.
The sixth annual baseball game, featuring graduating high school seniors from around the state, will be held 3 p.m. Monday at Aloha Stadium. It is the first time the game will played at the stadium after five years at Hans L'Orange Field.
Tickets will go on sale one hour before game time. Tickets are $3 for general admission and $1 for students ages 7 to 18. Children 6 and under, as well as youth league players in full uniform, will be admitted free. Parking is $5.
More than 60 players are expected to participate. Interscholastic League of Honolulu players will comprise the Aloha Stars, and O'ahu Interscholastic Association players will make up the Hawaiian Stars. Neighbor Islanders will play for the Hawaiian Stars, with the exception of Waiakea's players, who will play for the Aloha Stars.
Former New York Mets pitcher Sid Fernandez and Florida Marlins scout Scott Murray will coach the Hawaiian Stars. Former Milwaukee Brewers and University of Hawai'i slugger Joey Meyer and former minor league pitcher Paul Ah Yat will coach the Aloha Stars.
Kaua'i High's Alec Reichle, who made his season debut in the state tournament, will start for Hawaiian. Kamehameha's Kanekoa Texeira will start for Aloha. Reichle has signed with Brigham Young, while Texeira has signed with UH.
Five other players who signed with UH are scheduled to play: Waiakea pitchers Myles Ioane and Ronnie Loeffler, 'Aiea catcher Aaron Asher and Mid-Pacific Institute pitcher Harrison Kuroda and outfielder Ryan Asato.
Williams, a Waipahu High graduate, pitched in the first Classic in 1999, facing future pros like Shane Victorino (St. Anthony) of the Los Angeles Dodgers organization and Chad Santos (Saint Louis) of the Kansas City Royals system. Suzuki, a Baldwin High graduate, played in the 2001 game. The Cal State Fullerton catcher was recently selected to Sports Weekly's All-America second team.
SportStan Sporting Goods is the sponsor for the tournament and is providing the uniforms.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
