Makani Duhaylonsod High On Trojan Softball Weapon List
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usAs the defending Oahu Interscholastic Association champion, the Mililani High School softball team knows it can expect to get the opposition’s best effort every time out this season.
That might not necessarily be a bad thing, Trojans coach Rose Antonio figures, mindful that being a marked team can bring out the best in preparation.
“They know they still have to come out and work harder,” she said. “All of the other teams work hard as well, and everyone will definitely be out to beat us.”
With six OIA titles in the last decade, Mililani’s softball tradition doesn’t allow for the phrase “rebuilding year” to ever enter into the discussion, but last year was perhaps the closest they came to one.
“I’d lost a lot of key kids from the year before, including most of the infield, so I was very proud of them,” Antonio said of last year’s OIA championship run.“Anything can happen (in the league’s post-season).” The Trojans followed up their riveting OIA run by advancing to the state championship game Feb. 3, where they were defeated by Baldwin 2-0 to close out their season at 15-3.
At a glance, a return trip to the state title game would seem in reach, should all go according to plan this year. With 13 returnees back in the fold, the team is one of the most experienced in the OIA. Antonio is blessed with standouts throughout the lineup, highlighted by senior pitcher Makani Duhaylonsod, sophomore second baseman Kristi Oshiro, sophomore shortstop Courtney Senas and junior right fielder Glenelle Nitta.
Preseason optimism begins with Duhaylonsod, who was the team’s work horse on the mound last year as a junior. A clutch performer, she drove them across the finish line in their 4-2 OIA title game victory over Campbell, pitching a six-hitter to earn the win, while belting a solo home run for good measure.
“She throws a good change-up and a good fast ball, and that helps to keep the hitters off balance,” Antonio said. “She pitched all the games last year, and her velocity is still there at the end.”
Oshiro and Senas, meanwhile, were two of the state’s top newcomers a year ago as freshmen.
“Kristi did really well as our lead-off batter, and Courtney was the Player of the Year in our league (Red West). Both played well for freshmen.
“They’re real balanced. They’re pretty good hitters, and they’re pretty good fielders.”
Nitta is still involved with basketball and was not with the softball team when Antonio opened fall camp Feb. 2, but she figures to be a key component when she returns to the lineup. “She’s very athletic,” Antonio said.
The Trojans will enter the season in full stride Wednesday at Central Oahu Regional Park when they play a pair of games as part of Mililani’s seventh annual preseason tournament. Mililani will face the Castle High Knights at 5 p.m., with a game against Mid-Pacific Institute set for 7. The tournament runs through Monday with each of the 24 teams entered guaranteed of playing no less than six games in the event.
“It’s a very good tournament - we try to get quality teams to come,” said Antonio.“We want the kids to play a lot of innings, get their at-bats in, and see how they perform in certain situations.”
Behind the pitching of Duhaylonsod, defense was Mililani’s forte last season, and Antonio is hopeful they can maintain their level of play this time around.
“I think it’s one of our strengths,” Antonio said.
“Fundamentally, we’re sound and we have a lot of speed.”
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