Posted on: Tuesday, June 21, 2005
BASEBALL • ADVERTISER ALL-STATE TEAM
Pate leads six Punahou players on All-State team
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
Punahou, ranked No. 10 in USA Today's latest Super 25, has added to its historic baseball season by placing six players on The Advertiser's All-State first team.
The Buffanblu repeated as state champion by going 34-3-1 overall. Pate, a 5-foot-11, 150-pound right-hander, went 9-1 in the regular and postseason including two wins in the state tournament.
In 63á innings, he had an earned run average of 1.43, struck out 44 and walked only eight.
As impressive as Pate's regular season was — including a no-hitter against Kamehameha and a shutout of Mid-Pacific — he stepped it up a notch in the state tournament. Pate pitched in all three victories, combining with Scott Hiramoto to no-hit Kaua'i in the quarterfinals, earning the win in relief for a 3-2 semifinal victory over Waiakea, and tossing a two-hitter with five strikeouts and no walks in a 3-1 win over Kailua for the championship.
In that last outing, Pate took a perfect game into the fifth inning.
"He's even tougher than what people say he is," said Kailua coach Corey Ishigo after the title game. "He had great command."
Punahou coach Eric Kadooka said Pate's final outing may have been his best.
The other five Buffanblu on the All-State first team — senior third baseman Steven Dannaway, senior shortstop Landon Nakata, junior designated hitter Bucky Aona and senior outfielders Kaohi Downing and Kyle Fujimoto — each contributed to the championship season in a big way.
Dannaway batted .338 with two home runs and 13 runs batted in, had an on-base percentage of .500 and made several clutch plays at the hot corner.
Nakata, a four-year starter, was a reliable defensive whiz and dangerous leadoff batter. He batted .356, with five doubles, two triples, two home runs, 15 RBIs, 11 walks, nine stolen bases and an on-base percentage of .456.
Aona was one of the state's most feared sluggers, batting .407 with six doubles, four home runs, 34 RBIs and a staggering OBP of .560.
Downing batted .368 with four doubles, one triple, two home runs, 12 RBIs and an OBP of .480.
Fujimoto, who began the season as a reserve, batted .433 with five doubles, one triple, 18 RBIs and an OBP of .514.
Kailua and Interscholastic League of Honolulu runner-up Kamehameha each landed two players on the All-State first team.
Kailua is represented by senior second baseman Kekoa Su'a and senior pitcher Kevin Matsumoto. Like Aona, Su'a was a feared slugger batting third in the lineup.
Matsumoto, a right-handed starter, pitched a one-hitter against Castle and a five-hit shutout over Kaiser in the regular season, then tossed a four-hitter with five strikeouts and one walk in a 6-3 victory over Moanalua for the O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship.
He then scattered seven hits in a complete game to help the Surfriders defeat Mililani, 5-1, in the state quarterfinals.
Kamehameha's two All-State players were senior second baseman Ryson Mauricio and senior outfielder Nick Freitas.
Mauricio, who started at third base as a sophomore before an injury-plagued junior year, made a smooth transition to second base and was a spark batting second in the order. He and Su'a garnered almost all of the votes at their position and were virtually tied in the voting, so both were honored with first-team status.
Freitas, who made the All-State first team for the third straight year, was a steady influence in right field — with a wide range and making strong, accurate throws — and was an offensive threat batting third.
All of the other All-State first-team selections were seniors: Saint Louis first baseman Chester Wilson, Mililani outfielder Chaz Miyashiro, Mid-Pacific catcher Kip Masuda and utility players Andrew Blomberg of Moanalua and Kirby Yates of Kaua'i.
Wilson was a productive power hitter, while Miyashiro was a steady defensive centerfielder and No. 2 batter.
Masuda, a three-year starter, was well-respected for his receiving skills and arm strength and was a key on offense batting third.
Blomberg, the OIA's Eastern Division Player of the Year, played first base and had seven doubles, four home runs and 15 RBIs and also went 4-1 as both a starting pitcher and reliever.
Yates, the Kaua'i Interscholastic Federation's Player of the Year, was the Red Raiders' ace and also played shortstop. He helped Kaua'i reach the state quarterfinals by pitching seven innings and drawing three walks in an eight-inning victory over Pearl City.
Ishigo was named Coach of the Year after guiding Kailua from an OIA East No. 5 seed to the league title and state runner-up finish.
Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.
That half-dozen includes senior ace Jared Pate, who repeated as Player of the Year. The team was selected after a vote of 13 coaches, scouts and members of the media.
Jared Pate, Punahou | Player of the Year
"Considering the magnitude of the game, and what was on the line, his performance was unbelievable," Kadooka said.
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