Mules Have Sound Pitching, Speed
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usAs Stacy Araki and the Leilehua High School softball program know first-hand, it’s all about how you finish.
Two years ago, in Araki’s first season as head coach, Leilehua was the “feel good” story of the season after advancing all the way to the OIA title game, where they were defeated by Kailua. The Mules had been merely a .500 team in the regular season, entering postseason with a 5-5 mark.
Araki is hoping her current team can blossom in much the same way. They open the 2008 preseason in a flurry this week in the Mililani Tournament, where they are guaranteed of playing at least six games, beginning with Wednesday’s encounter at 5 p.m. against Roosevelt at Central Oahu Regional Park.
“We have to build on our pre-season - we’ll be a relatively young team - and, hopefully, we can peak at the end,” she said. “Being young, they don’t know their own abilities yet, and we only have a couple of kids who play year round, so there’s no pressure on us.
“Nobody expects us to win every game.”
Although the Mules are young overall, they are not without veteran leadership, with key returnees back in junior pitcher Alexandra Smith, junior first baseman/catcher Ciarra Paracuellas, senior second baseman Chasea Crawford and junior second baseman/out-fielder Julie Brister. All four were key contributors a year ago and will be expected to help carry the load again for Leilehua this spring.
“Our returning players have to stick together and make plays, and when we need hits, we’ll need to come through.
“Ciarra’s strength is her defense. I could put her anywhere and she’s going to do the job. Chasea is a senior. As a staff, we look at her as a leader, and Julie practices hard. She’s a good role model.
“I think pitching would be our strength right now. We have three who can throw.”
Smith leads the way. A junior, she is coming off a solid sophomore season and figures to get the call against Roosevelt on Wednesday.
“She has a couple of different pitches, especially her drop (ball), and she’s pretty quick (in her delivery).”
Araki is also high on sophomore Kaylen Ynigues and freshman Ashley McKeown. Pitchers both, they could see action on the mound this week with the Mules projected to play no less than six games in six days.
Leilehua continues play in the Mililani Tournament Thursday with a game against Kalaheo at 5 p.m. at C.O.R.P.
Following an off-day on Friday, they’ll be back at C.O.R.P. Saturday for a double-header. At 2:15, the Mules meet Kapaa before taking on ILH foe Saint Francis at 5:45. Leilehua’s opponents for Sunday and Monday will be determined by the results of their earlier games.
As in past years, Araki sees the Mililani Tournament as the ideal preparation for the upcoming regular season.
“This is one of the better tournaments,” she said.
“They’ll have all the top teams, including a good mix of OIA, ILH and outer-island schools.”
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