Posted on: Friday, October 15, 2004
Hawai'i players in Arizona Fall Classic
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Twenty-eight Hawai'i high school players will participate in the annual Arizona Senior Fall Classic baseball tournament starting today in Peoria, Ariz.
The tournament is a showcase for high school players from around the country, as they play in front of college recruiters and pro scouts.
Team Hawaii, coached by Duane Eldredge, has the bulk of the players with 22, including Kamehameha outfielder Nick Freitas, a first-team all-state selection, and Mid-Pacific Institute pitcher Jayson Kramer, who has verbally committed to the University of Hawai'i.
The other six players have been assigned to Mainland teams because Eldredge said he was limited to taking up to only two players from any one school. Players needed clearance from their respective leagues because they are playing out of the high-school season, which is in the spring.
Punahou pitcher Jared Pate, The Advertiser's Co-Player of the Year, and teammate Landon Nakata, a shortstop, will play for Amateur Baseball Development, which is coached by Mike Spiers, father of UH freshman shortstop Joe Spiers.
Also, Punahou's Kasey Ko and Iolani's Wally Marciel will play for the British Columbia All-Stars, while Waimea's Kane Zalopany and MPI's Conan Young will play for BPR Nationals Baseball.
Other players making up Team Hawaii are: Mililani pitcher/infielder Tony Aquino, Campbell pitcher Tristan Bailey, Moanalua infielder/pitcher Andrew Blomberg, Punahou outfielder/pitcher Kaohi Downing, Roosevelt catcher Kevin Fujii, King Kekaulike pitcher Lono Kekahuna, Maryknoll pitcher/outfielder Peter Kirst, Baldwin corner infielder/pitcher Marcus Makia, MPI catcher Kip Masuda, Kamehameha infielder Ryson Mauricio, Mililani outfielder/pitcher Chaz Miyashiro, Iolani pitcher Ian Mopas, Leilehua utility player Andrew Ontai, Kamehameha pitcher David Parrow Jr., Kailua outfielder/infielder Kekoa Sua, Wai'anae pitcher/infielder Clayton Uyechi, Kealakehe infielder/pitcher Sky Valenzuela, Saint Louis corner infielder Chester Wilson, Kaua'i third baseman/pitcher Kirby Yates and St. Louis infielder/outfielder Kelii Zablan.
Some players also play football and will miss this week's games. Sua is a running back for the Surfriders, who host Kahuku tonight. Makia is a defensive end for the Bears, who play King Kekaulike tonight. Wilson is a linebacker for the Crusaders, who play Iolani tomorrow.
Team Hawai'i plays Team Idaho today. It then plays Best of the West and Arizona Diamondbacks Scout tomorrow. On Sunday, it meets Card-Tex Baseball Club and NorCal Black.
Games are played at the Peoria Sports Complex, the spring training venue for the San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
