Kalani Falcons Soar On Softball Field

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As Kalani softball coach Melissa Marquez sized up her team’s season late last week, the numbers looked pretty good to her, and that didn’t even include its 11-1 record, tops in the OIA Red Division. The second-year coach was talking grades.

“Their work ethic is phenomenal,” said Marquez. “I can ask them to practice in the morning before school, during school or after school. Maybe half of the team has a grade-point average of 3.5 or better. These kids work really hard.”

As of late last week, the Falcons had met most of their on-field challenges, winning 11 of 12, but a great showing in next week’s state softball championships is the focus now.

An even greater challenge has been making it through long stretches without games. The girls recently endured a 13-day layoff between their last regular-season game and the OIA Tournament opener last week, and they’re in the midst of a break between the league’s post-season and the state tournament.

“We’re trying to peak and be a team ready to play all the time. We’ve tried to plan and organize so that our more-difficult practices will be in the beginning (of the break) and lighter practices - day-before-the-game (type) practices - later on.”

Among the strengths Kalani takes into next week’s state tournament, none bodes better than its depth on the mound with interchangeable sophomores Rayme Awaya and Jade Teruya available. The pair split most of the innings this season, with Teruya throwing nearly 10 more as of last week.

Marquez is unsure who will get the start in Kalani’s first-round game, but said it’s likely both will see action.

“We’re definitely lucky to have two aces,” Marquez said. “With the doubleheader (format in the OIA’s regular season), they usually get their own game (as the main pitcher), but both will be ready to go. They also have a good defense backing them up.”

Junior catcher Kristi Belshe has become one of the team’s top on-field leaders behind the plate and is another important piece to the team, in Marquez’s view.

“She’s very physical on the ball, she’s aggressive with getting (base)runners out, and she’s always in control - she knows the game.”

Defense is anchored by Kalani’s middle infield, which includes second baseman Chelsea Yamamoto and shortstop Kristiann Endow. “Both dive for balls and give their heart and soul to the team. They play like true captains and do a lot of the little things that make a game run smooth.”

Should pitching hold up next week as planned, the Falcons will need to bring their “A” game, offensively.

“Definitely, we’ve emphasized that we have to bring our bats and that we have to be able to hit any pitcher. As you go later on in the tournaments, there is less chance for mistakes and you have to win outright - with good hitting, good base running and awesome defense.”

Pairings for the state softball championships, which is scheduled for May 12-15, will be announced late Sunday afternoon.