Count On Kailua’s Kale Sumner - Anytime, Any Position
By Jack Danilewicz
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Shannon Hirai, Kalani High’s head baseball coach, stopped short of sending Kale Sumner a graduation card this spring, but he was happy to see the Kailua star finish his eligibility.
“He’s a dangerous hitter - I’m glad he’s leaving so we don’t have to face him anymore,” Hirai said of the 2009 OIA Red East Player of the Year (for the second straight year).“He has good power - he can hit to all fields - and he plays hard.
“If you don’t have to pitch to him, you don’t want to pitch to him. We had to pitch to him, and he came up big.”
This neatly summarizes the rest of the league’s approach to pitching against Sumner.
“A lot of teams pitched around me, so I didn’t think I was getting as many at-bats,” admitted Sumner, who will attend HPU on a baseball scholarship. “I didn’t think I was productive, but I was real proud of our team. We practiced hard every day.”
Sumner hit just under .500 with a trio of home runs, leading Kailua to a 14-5 record. They tied for first in the East Red with a 9-3 mark and were runner-up in both the OIA’s post-season and the Division I state tournaments.
His work ethic continues to be a strength - “I practiced baseball every day of high school” - as well as his versatility.A third baseman a year ago, coach Corey Ishigo moved him to catcher this season, and he never missed a beat, homering in his first atbat versus a solid Kaiser team.
Sumner could play several positions at HPU.“If I hit, they said they’ll find a place for me in the field,” he said. “I feel comfortable playing anywhere in the field.”
He also weighed an offer from UH-Hilo, but chose HPU in part because of the positive feedback he got from the current Sea Warriors.
“I talked to several of them by phone, and they said it would be a lot like playing at Kailua. HPU is a good team with good coaches, and it will be nice to play in front of friends and family.”
While he’s excited about the next level, he foresees more success ahead for Kailua too.
Also making the First Team were Kailua sophomores Kory Sasaoka, an outfielder, and utility player Alika Ramseyer-Ho. First baseman Ryan McMonigle, second baseman Jared Iha and pitcher Bryson Gauthe also made the Second Team. Only Gauthe completed his eligibility, leaving Kailua with a seasoned team for 2010.
“Our underclassmen were real good this year - they came up big for us in games,” said Sumner, who plays on the Island Movers Select team this summer. “Next year, they’ll have a great team. They’ll mature and be even better.”
Kailua’s six Honorable Mentions are Alan Baldwin, Etla Lono, Tyson Lono, Reyn Matsuki, Jared Matsumoto and Brent Watanabe.
Junior third baseman Keola Jarrett was named to the First Team from Castle. The Knights finished 5-7 in the East Red under first-year head coach Jason Berinobis. Honorable Mentions are Brandon Higa, Justin Ka’awa, Harry Kawaihalau, Tyler Kon, Bryson Luke, Nick Oreta, Hans Reppuhn, Froy Smith, Chad Takaba and Seamus Yoneshige.
Kalaheo had five Honorable Mentions: Lawaika Bator, Eli Davidann, Aaron Fernandez, Colby Lee and Richard Preza Haynes.
Kahuku pitcher Roger Van Ness and outfielders St. John Lessary and Tima Taposoa were named to the DII First Team, which finished 10-6 overall and made a second straight appearance in the state tournament. They also landed Justin Van Ness, Kekoa Hughes and A.J. Kubota on the Second Team, while Joe Deal, Brian Kukahiko, Joe Nozawa and Justin Nozawa earned Honorable Mention.
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