Experienced Knights’ Hopes High For Red East Baseball
By Jack Danilewicz
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The so-called “transition year” is behind second-year head baseball coach Jason Berinobis as well as his Castle High players.
“I like how they came into this season as compared to last year,” said Berinobis, whose team finished 5-7 in 2009. “They came in knowing we can go somewhere. We have high expectations for this team.Our work ethic has been good. They know what to expect from me now. They’ve come together,and they believe in each other.”
The Knights also have experience and no shortage of talent. When they opened OIA Red East Conference play recently,the roster had 16 who had played varsity ball in 2009. The breakdown shows eight seniors,seven juniors and five sophomores - the latter group highlighted by shortstop Froy Smith, who was a stand-out as a freshman.
Should they reach the state tournament in May as planned, however, they will likely look back on the work their individual components did in the off-season - most notably seniors Shamus Yoneshige, Brede Kochi and Keola Jarrett.
Jarrett was a First Team All-East selection in 2009 and hit the new season in stride, going 4-for-6 March 6 when Castle split a double-header with Roosevelt.Yoneshige is the No. 1 pitcher in the rotation and posted a win over rival Kailua last year, while Kochi is returning to the program after taking a year off.
“Keola is one of our best hitters and one of our top pitchers - he’s a leader,“Berinobis said of Jarrett,who is a co-captain with Kochi.“He brings his attitude, and he worked very hard in the off-season on his
conditioning and weight training. Leadership is what he brings to the field. He’ll carry the load for us this year.
“Shamus is our ace,” he added. “He has four pitches, so he mixes it up well. He brings a work ethic. He didn’t miss any weight training or conditioning sessions. His batting also has improved.He’s hitting with more power this year. Brede has worked very hard.He has a strong arm and quick feet behind the plate.”
Berinobis also is high on seniors Justice Salas and Tyler Kon. Salas will see time at catcher and third base as well as designated hitter.Kon is projected for second baseman.
“Justice has come a long way,” Berinobis said. “He’s worked hard to get where he is at,and it will be hard to keep him out of the lineup.”
Alongside Kon in the middle infield will be Smith at shortstop. “His knowledge is his strength,” Berinobis said. “Defensively, he can make every play - the routine plays and the plays just out of his reach.He’s a defensive specialist out there.”
Hans Reppuhn will anchor the outfield in center, meanwhile, having had a solid junior season in 2009. “He brings speed, and he’s just a great kid with a great attitude. He does whatever we ask.”
The Knights couldn’t have asked for a tougher schedule either. After opening with Roosevelt,Castle played Kailua twice last week.On Friday,they visit Kaiser at 3:30 p.m. and then go to Central Oahu Regional Park Saturday to meet the Cougars again at 4:30 p.m.in a game that OC-16 will televise statewide.Kaiser swept both games last year.
“We didn’t hit the ball against them last year, so we’ll have to hit this time and put some pressure on them.”
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