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Cohesive Berinobis Team Ready For OIA Softball Action

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Castle’s Chandele Dacosin winds up during practice. Photo by Byron Lee, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

One in a series of prep softball previews.

With five freshmen and five seniors filling 10 of 12 roster spots, there can be no doubt that the Castle girls softball team’s mixture of youth and experience is unique.

The good news for the Knights, in head coach Jon Berinobis’ view, is that there is little to distinguish the members of one class from another - at least on the playing field.

“There’s no separation between the freshmen and seniors,” said Berinobis, whose team finished 7-5 in 2007.“They’re just one whole.”

Whether the Knights’ cohesiveness can carry them to a much-coveted post-season run remains to be seen, but Berinobis is pleased with the talent his program has assembled as Castle looks ahead to its OIA Red East schedule.

“The quality of the girls is excellent,” said Berinobis, who led Castle to an OIA title in 1998.“The young ones have good softball skills and a knowledge of the game. They’re picking it up and learning to play (our way), and hitting-wise, this is one of our better classes to come through.”

Depth remains a concern for the Knights, meanwhile, with their smallest roster in years in terms of numbers.

“It didn’t seem to hurt in the West, but with the seasons changing (and varsity softball moving to spring, while the JV plays in the fall), it had a big impact on us. A lot of the girls are in other sports. Some who played JV want to come back and play JV again (as sophomores in the fall), but we have a good mix.”

Not to mention good leadership - a prerequisite for any team hoping to be a factor in the ultra-competitive Red East.

Back from last year are shortstop Ryanne Dacisin, and the coach’s daughters, catcher Kelsea Berinobis and second baseman Kori Berinobis. Seniors all, the trio are expected to help a team heavy in underclassmen stay grounded.

“They’ll be surrounded by young players so, hopefully, they’ll provide the leadership that we need,” said their coach.“We should have a good team, overall. Defensively, I’m not worried. We’ll be fine there, and I think we’ll put more runs on the board this year. We have a lot more offense, and we’ve faced good pitching in preseason. That’s a good sign.”

Dacisin was a First Team All-League selection in the Red East last season and figures to again be among the top players in the state at her position. While she was slowed recently by a broken bone in her throwing hand, Berinobis is anticipating Dacisin’s return this week.

“Her defense is her strength,” Berinobis said. “As far as fielding, she’s fearless. She anticipates well, she moves well, and she has good range. Offensively, she’ll bat either first or second. She’s a good spot hitter, who puts the ball in play a lot.”

Also near the top of the batting order will be Kori Berinobis.“She’s been hitting the ball well in pre-season,“said the coach.“She’ll bat one or two - she’s picked (her batting) up, and she has good speed. Defensively, she understands our system well.”

Kelsea Berinobis, meanwhile, enters her second season as starting catcher.

“Her strength is her experience and her throwing ability - she has a strong arm for a small girl,” said her father. “She knows all of our defensive sets - she controls our pitching.”

On the mound, junior Chandele Dacisin is likely to be the workhorse after seeing plenty of action in 2007 as a sophomore.

“Her savvy for the game is her strength. She’s very aggressive, and she loves to play the game. She’s been doing a good job in preseason. She’s improved a lot.”

Berinobis also envisions big seasons for senior pitcher/outfielder Alana Abbey and freshman first baseman Leisha Li’ili’i.

“We’ll call Alana for relief (pitching) and, hopefully, she’ll help our offense with her power,” Berinobis said of Abbey. “As a pitcher, she’s not overpowering, but she’s very crafty and she’s been keeping hitters of balance.We’ll have her in the outfield (when not pitching) to get her bat in the game.

“We’re counting on Leisha for her offense,” he added of Li’ili’i, who is currently hitting third in the batting order. “She’s been swinging a hot bat with a couple of home runs and some extra base hits.”

Castle returns to action at 3:30 p.m. Friday versus Roosevelt at Stevenson Middle School, with a home game against arch-rival Kailua High to follow on March 18.