Young Hurricanes Rely On Strength Of Team Unity
By Jack Danilewicz
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS | Share
Del.icio.usThe Kapolei baseball team’s overriding theme this pre-season has been a renewed commitment to finishing the job.
“We’ve always been kind of knocking on the door at the time of the playoffs, but we haven’t made them since our first year (as a program in 2003),” Hurricanes coach Tom Ebanez said.“These kids have seen teams here fall short in the past. Since Day 1 of conditioning, our motto has been “make the turn - be the difference.”
In senior shortstop Aaron Santiago, the Hurricanes will have one of the top all-around athletes in the Oahu Interscholastic Association, and one who could definitely be called a difference-maker. The season could hinge in large part on how fast a young supporting cast develops.
“We have only five seniors with the rest juniors and sophomores,” said Ebanez, whose team finished 4-6 in the OIA West last season. “When the young kids realize their roles, we should be fine. We’ll face a lot of hurdles along the way, but if the kids can stay together I see us making the playoffs and making some noise.”
On that note, the Hurricanes are strong in the team-unity department.“This team is closer than in past years. In fact, I’ve never been associated with a group that was this close. They help each other out on and off the field. They like working together, and they like being together, and that will carry us through for awhile while we find ourselves (as a team on the field).”
Santiago will likely set the tone early on. A four-year starter, he is in the midst of a productive pre-season that saw him win an award at the recent Hilo High School Tournament for runs batted in, after having tallied eight. He had six RBI alone in a game with Honoka’a and hit .775 through three tournament games.
“He elevates the rest of the team with his play and his leadership,” Ebanez said. “The younger players know from watching him how the game is supposed to be played at the varsity level. He’s not a real vocal guy, but he leads by example.”
Fellow senior Michael Kahalehoe also will provide veteran leadership. He enters his third season with the Kapolei varsity and will split his time between catching and serving as the team’s designated hitter.
“His strength is his bat,” said the coach. “He’s our clean-up hitter (fourth spot) and a good leader.”
The Hurricanes got an added boost in the off-season when Kalani Brackenridge transferred in from Kauai High School. A sophomore second baseman, he will have three years of eligibility at Kapolei.
“He’s been a big surprise,” Ebanez said.“First, just getting him.
He’s well-schooled in the game and fundamentally sound. He plays well above his age.
“As a hitter, he works the count and makes the pitcher work,” he added. “He’s always on base.”
All jobs are still open elsewhere on the roster, according to Ebanez, whose team opens its regular season March 21 at Leilehua. As the Hurricanes prepared for this week’s appearance in the Kailua Pre-Season Tournament, increasing their offensive output was a priority.
“We’re trying to work on our hitting right now. The kids are still a bit tentative at times, but I think our hitting will come around. With 17 guys, and being pre-season, we’ve been rotating people around trying to find the right combination.”
As in past years, Ebanez foresees a balanced race in the West.
“The West is always tough. Every Wednesday and Saturday you’re in a battle no matter who you’re playing. You have only six playoff spots, and you have a lot of good teams like Pearl City, Aiea and Mililani ... “
The Hurricanes visit Castle at 4 p.m. Wednesday for a game in the first round of the Kailua Tournament. Starting times and locations for Kapolei’s games on Thursday, Friday and Saturday will be determined by the outcome of the Castle game. All of Saturday’s tournament games will be held at Kailua.
E-mail this story | Print this page | Comments (0) | Archive | RSS
Most Recent Comment(s):
