Ben McQuown was once told he was too young for baseball.

Now, he has helped provide senior leadership for a Wai'anae High School baseball team that is turning its season around after a slow start. McQuown went 5 for 8 last week and homered in wins over 'Aiea and Kapolei. He drove in seven runs for the week and also pitched against 'Aiea, giving up three runs.

"Senior leadership, most of our team is seniors," McQuown said of the squad's turnaround. "We felt our season was going downhill. We all got together and had a team meeting. This part of the season, we're playing together as a team. Nobody is being selfish."

Seariders coach Kekoa Kaluhiokalani said senior leadership has been a reason why his team has turned things around after a 1-3 start. Wai'anae is 5-4 and on a three-game winning streak heading into this afternoon's game at O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red West leader Pearl City (7-1).

"We won three in a row starting from (the) Mililani (game)," Kaluhiokalani said. "We've been playing really well. We've come together as a group. Our leaders, they've been stepping up."

McQuown got into baseball at age 3, but for awhile, was too young to play for youth teams.

"I got kicked off teams for being too young," McQuown said.

The young start provided experience and knowledge of the sport, all of which show on the field.

"He's hitting close to .600," Kaluhiokalani said. "He's turning it up. He's one of the better hitters to walk through our program. It's hard to strike him out, too. He has tough at bats. He works hard at it."

McQuown credits his teammates for helping him at the plate.

"I bat third. The first two, Ryan Manuel and R.J. Tacgere-Bailey, they give me a good understanding of what the pitchers throw," McQuown said. "They make them work at bat. I really concentrate and it takes me three at bats to understand with they are doing."

Kaluhiokalani said McQuown has been consistent on the mound and in keeping opposing batters off balance.

"He didn't have a strong preseason but has turned it on," Kaluhiokalani said. "He's pitching as good as anyone on the team."

McQuown said catcher Tacgere-Bailey has been making the right calls behind the plate and team's defense is coming through. Wai'anae turned out three double plays last week.

"They say defense wins championships," McQuown said. "I think our team is finally getting that."