Trio of Pitchers Ready To Fire Up Kailua’s Softball Season
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usTo think about Kailua softball during the Bernard Victor era is to think of dominant pitching. That doesn’t figure to change this spring with several talented pitchers back in the fold for the Surfriders. Unlike in past years, however, the team’s best offense won’t necessarily have to be its defense.
“I think we’ll have a stronger batting team - we should be more effective (offensively), I hope,“said Victor, whose team was to open its season last Saturday on the road versus Kaimuki.
In addition to a long-standing reputation for tutoring some of the state’s top pitchers, Victor has always been cautiously optimistic - even with all but two starters returning from last season, when they finished fourth in the OIA (at 9-6) en route to a state appearance.
“On paper, we look tough and we think we’ll have a strong team. What happens once we get into the games, who knows?” he said.
Among the key returnees are junior pitchers Jaelleen Johnson and Shelby Lono, who figure to alternate starting assignments. Ten of Kailua’s 12-game schedule will be played as doubleheaders, meaning more fresh arms are needed throughout the league. Indeed, the days when a team’s No. 1 pitcher could start every game are now a thing of the past in the OIA.
“You can never tell with the doubleheaders,“said Victor, who has led Kailua to six OIA titles and four state titles, most recently in 2003.“If we need a third or fourth pitcher, we’ll go with Johna-Lynn (Pedro) or Destinee (Chang). Our pitchers are not overpowering, so we have to make the outs to help out.
“Jaelleen has been throwing a lot of strikes, so you pretty much have to make contact against her,” he added.“It’s mostly her fastball and now her change-up (that have carried her). Shelby is a little quicker - not much - and she throws a couple of different pitches. She’s a pretty good hitter, too.”
As in past years, offensive output is a priority, given Victor’s confidence in his pitchers to keep the score down.Kailua hit .304 as a team at the recent Mililani tournament - an encouraging sign since Kailua was without four key players who were still competing on the basketball team.
Lono hit a team-best .571, while Ashley Adversalo-Clark (.467), Tiffany Pereza (.364), Kawehilani Hall (.333) and Sage Manatad (.332) all had strong showings at the plate. Pereza is a four-year player for Kailua and the team’s lead-off hitter. Hall bats clean-up, while Manatad’s three home runs at the Mililani tournament led the team.
“We’ll depend a lot on Tiffany,” Victor said.“She’s fast - about the quickest on the team - and she’s in her fourth year with us. Kawe is a pretty good hitter - she’s had a good preseason. Sage has been coming on, and Ashley has had a good preseason with the bat.”
Also figuring big in Victor’s plans are senior third baseman Zsalei Kamaka, senior first baseman Dancel Williams and sophomore outfielder Toni Damo-Accaoili. Kamaka sprained an ankle last week and was expected to miss the Kaimuki series over the weekend, but she should return for this Saturday’s twin bill at home at 10 a.m. against Roosevelt. Damo-Accaoili also was battling an injury after a promising start to her pre-season in which she was hitting .600. She was expected to be in the lineup over the weekend.
Williams was among those getting a late start on her softball season.“She can hit the ball hard, too, so hopefully, she’ll come around.”
Kailua also hosts doubleheaders against Kahuku April 18 and Moanalua April 25. A much-anticipated twin bill with Castle takes place April 11 at Central Oahu Regional Park. OC-16 will televise the 5 p.m. second game. Kailua’s only other “road games"in the OIA will be on March 31 and April 4, respectively, versus Farrington at Lanakila Field.
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