Bulldog Ladies Young But Sharp On Softball Diamond
By Jack Danilewicz
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS | Share
Del.icio.usOne in a series of prep softball previews.
The by-product of the Waialua softball team’s breakthrough season of 2008 is a roster that numbers 24.
Such a total would have been un-thought-of only two years ago, when Waialua was unable to attract enough players to field a team. Those struggles only sweetened the Bulldogs remarkable season of last spring, when they won a state tournament game for the first time in its history en route to a 13-5 season.
“Word gets out,” said coach Jay Keao, who was named 2008 Oahu Interscholastic Association White Conference Coach of the Year by his peers. “We had three coaches last year, and now we have five. When you win, more people want to give their time to the younger ones.We have high expectations for these kids.”
While six seniors have departed from that team, the Bulldogs still welcome back a handful of key veterans, highlighted by pitcher Marissa Keao, the coach’s daughter. As 2008 OIA White Conference Player of the Year, she threw two no-hitters, two one-hitters, a two-hitter and a three-hitter as a junior.
“We’re going to ride her,” Keao said of his daughter. “We’ve been fortunate to get into some good preseason tournaments, and she’s coming along. By the time of the regular season, she should be hitting her locations and her spots (consistently).
“She’s been working on her off-speed pitches. Every team can hit the fast ball.You have to have those off-speed pitches.”
One twist from last season will see starting catcher Alyssiah Hernandez move to third base, with sophomore Pua Naki moving in behind the plate.
“Her knees have been bothering her - she played basketball all season - so we moved her to the corner. At the Mililani Tournament, she held her ground at third.
“Pua and Marissa work well together,“added Keao, whose team took third in the OIA’s DII last year. “She can handle Marissa’s pitches, and she has a strong arm.”
Keao also is expecting big seasons from Althia Dicion and newcomer Courtney Kilday, who transferred from Japan in December.
Dicion was one of three Bulldogs - including Marissa Keao (.558) - who batted over .500 for the season in 2008, averaging .533.
“Her strength is her quick feet,” Keao said of Dicion, a second baseman.
“Courtney will be moving in to shortstop,“he said.“She played basketball - she’s an athlete.”
Elsewhere in the lineup, the Bulldogs will feature their share of youth, especially with the loss of a pair of projected starters to injuries in Jessica Temblor and Gerica Accorda.
“We’re a young team, so we’re still grooming some girls who have come up from the JV,” the coach said.
Among the Waialua team’s pre-season priorities has been to maximize opportunities on offense.
“I feel like batting and base-running should be our strengths by the time the regular season begins,” Keao said.“We were a good offensive team last year with three girls hitting over 500. Right now, pitching and defense (are the team’s strength).”
Waialua, which was to take part in Saint Francis Strike Out Cancer Pre-Season Tournament over the weekend, opens its regular season on March 10 at home versus Kalaheo High School.
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS
Most Recent Comment(s):
