Knights Fielding A Strong Bench And Loads Of Talent
By Jack Danilewicz
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While the Castle baseball team will have endured a two-week layoff between games by the time, they take the field for Saturday’s doubleheader at Moanalua, it knows there’s no let-up on game day.
The OIA’s new format of playing mostly doubleheaders to fill out its schedules creates “the fatigue factor,” according to first-year head coach Jason Berinobis.
“It’s good to have numbers and a strong bench,” he said.“With the new format, you could have kids tired from the first game.”
With that in mind, he is hoping his youthful players are built for super Saturdays. There are nine juniors (six of them returning letter-men) and 10 sophomores on the roster - enough young talent to guarantee spirited practices with starting positions on the line.
“Their strength is their togetherness,” Berinobis said. “They’ve bonded, and their commitment and their attitudes have been great. They’ve come a long way already.”
The Knights were methodical March 7 in their season-opening series, taking a doubleheader from Kalaheo 16-6 and 10-2. (All but two of Castle’s league games are part of doubleheaders with only two games scheduled for a weekday.) Juniors Seamus Yoneshige and Keola Jarrett were the winning pitchers in those encounters and figure to start all games this spring. The pair also are expected to contribute offensively. Jarrett had six RBI in the two wins over Kalaheo, including a pair of extra base hits in the first game.
“Keola and Seamus have both gotten a lot stronger since last year. Keola is one of the top hitters on the team. We’ve told him there will be a big load on his shoulders this year. We need him and all of the other juniors to play like a senior.
“Seamus throws a decent fast ball and he’s our No. 4 hitter,“he added of Yoneshige, who pitched a three-hitter against Kalaheo.“He can hit with power when he needs to.”
Also in the plans are sophomore left-fielder Harry Kawaihalau, who contributed a three-run triple in the Game 2 win over Kalaheo, and junior returnees Tyler Kon (second base), Brede Kochi (catcher) and Hans Reppuhn (center fielder).
“Tyler’s one of our leaders,” Berinobis said of Kon, whose older brother Brandon currently
plays for Pacific.“He brings a decent bat. He’s an ideal No. 2 batter.
“Brede converted from shortstop,” he added. “He’s a hard worker who takes charge on the field. He’s quick and fast, and he can hit for power. Hans is also one of our leaders. He’ll be our lead-off batter or at No. 5 (in the batting order). He’s one of the fastest guys on the team.”
Freshman Froy Smith leads the way among the relative newcomers, meanwhile, as the projected shortstop. “He plays real well for a freshman. He has a lot of range, quick hands and a good glove.”
When the Knights visit Moanalua at 11 a.m. Saturday for a doubleheader, Berinobis expects his team’s mind-set to set the tone for the day. “Being young, we have to believe we can win going in. They have great pitching. To win one of two would be a plus for us.”
The Knights had completed their sweep of Kalaheo with heavy hearts after setting up and taking part in a memorial service for long-time Castle coach Joe Tom, who passed away last spring. The Knights also hosted a preseason tournament in Tom’s name and are dedicating their 2009 season to him.
“They handled themselves well throughout the day,“Berinobis said of opening day. “And as far as on the field, we had a lot of good at-bats.”
Although in his first year, Berinobis is well-known around Castle, having been an assistant coach for the softball team for the last 17 years under his brother Jon.
He credits his assistant coaching staff, which includes Eddie Higa, Tracy Tokuda and Brent and Boyd Taniguchi, with aiding him in making a smooth transition.
“They’re really supportive - a great staff,” said Berinobis, who played at Castle from 1978 to 1981.
The staff also has re-emphasized a holistic approach to their day-today program. One night last week the players gathered as a team for a prayer service at His Highest Praise Church in Kaneohe.
“It’s not just about baseball, but real life,” Berinobis said.
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