Bulldogs Prep For Division II State Softball Championships

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As Waialua prepares for next week’s Division II state softball championships, attention to detail remains the prevailing theme.

The Bulldogs may be ready to take the biggest stage they can, but Waialua coach Jay Keao is more concerned with the steps leading to that stage - namely, good practices.

“We practice every chance we can,” said Keao, whose team took a 9-2 record into last weekend’s OIA DII Tournament. “It’s all about being productive day to day. We always need to remind them that in softball, it’s the little things, the basic things, that carry a team.”

Regardless of their finish next week, the Bulldogs already are one of the “feel good” stories on the prep scene in 2010, having graduated one of Division II’s most visible players last spring in Marissa Keao, the coach’s daughter, who led Waialua to an OIA title and an appearance in the state title game. With a sizable drop-off expected with her exit, the team barely missed a beat in 2010 and had won nine of its last 10 games entering the weekend.

A workmanlike mind-set has defined them, and they also have been a gritty bunch on the offensive end, producing their share of runs in a variety of ways.“We’ve been sticking with what works,” he said, noting that the “small ball” approach has been especially good to them as of late.

On the mound, junior Karina Bayudan has alleviated a lot of preseason concern over pitching by proving to be effective and durable. She’s started every game and threw 55 innings through last Thursday for an ERA of 3.69. Although on the roster and at practice every day, Bayudan’s playing time was limited last year with Marissa Keao in the fold.

“We knew we’d be using her, so we brought her up (as a sophomore),” Keao said. “She’s been throwing strikes consistently, and that’s what we need - for our pitcher to keep us in games.

“She’s so new to the game that nothing bothers her,” he added. “She’s excited about games, excited about practice and being committed, and she has a positive attitude.”

Defense is highlighted by the left side, where juniors Althia Dicion and Alyssiah Hernandez play at shortstop and third base, respectively. Both were key contributors last year and are mainstays on offense with Dicion hitting in the No. 2 spot and Hernandez in No. 3.

“Her experience and knowledge of the game is her strength,” Keao said of Dicion, who is hitting a team-leading .571.“She helps keep the morale of the girls up. She’s good with her bat and good defensively. She’s good all-around.”

Hernandez played catcher last year, but has settled in at third this season. She’s batting .538 through her first 11 games.

“Same as Althia, she has a lot of knowledge of the game,“Keao said.“She played Little League baseball and moved on to softball.”

While the pair have been productive at the plate, Keao noted the Bulldogs have been good, offensively, as a group.“We expect everyone to know their role and advance the runners. The bottom half of the order can pick up the top half.”

The Bulldogs got an additional boost this year, when Jessica Temblor returned to the program, after an injury sidelined her for all of 2009. “She’s a self-motivator, a good role model,” he said. “She’s very active and very athletic. Her strength is at catcher.”

Pairings for the tournament, which runs May 12-15, will be announced late afternoon on Sunday.

Waialua is making its third straight state tournament appearance, and with a young team, its prospects look good for a fourth appearance in 2011.“We asked ourselves at the beginning of the season, ‘Where are we now and where do we want to be?’” Keao said. “We just keep reminding ourselves that it takes hard work and good practices to get there. Learning from our mistakes and getting better every day should get us to where we need to be.”