Red Raiders Slide Into Division II
By Jack Danilewicz
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Del.icio.usKahuku’s classification in baseball is that of Division II under the OIA’s new format, but it’s definitely playing a Division I schedule this preseason.
“We’re going in with the attitude that we’re going to test ourselves,” said fifth-year coach Steve Van Ness. “We’ve tried to schedule the best teams in the OIA and the ILH. We’re facing teams we’d like to model ourselves after.”
There can be perhaps no more demanding stretch in the Kahuku schedule than at present. As part of the Kailua Tournament, the team was to face four-time defending state champion Punahou Tuesday, with games against Kailua at 4:15 p.m. today, Kapolei Thursday and Aiea Friday at Kahuku District Park. Kahuku’s opponent for Saturday will be determined by the results of their earlier games. Regardless of the opponent, they figure to be battle-tested by week’s end.
“We’re not really built to play a lot of games in a lot of days, and we will be playing six games in six days,” Van Ness said. “But we have six or seven kids who can hit and four kids who can throw strikes, and that should carry us.”
Although Kahuku will see much of the best the state has to offer in Division I (the Red Raiders played highly-regarded Baldwin last weekend as well) during preseason, their real shot could come in the regular season with the recent formation of Division II. Kahuku has traditionally held its own in games against the schools that will make up the new White Conference. Like the Red Raiders, the other schools in the White - Kalaheo, Kaimuki, Farrington, Waipahu, Radford, Nanakuli and Waialua - are known for a sport other than baseball.
“It is major for us,” Van Ness said of the OIA’s division into two classes. “We should go into every game thinking we should win.” Leading the way is the coach’s son, Steven Van Ness. The ace of the Kahuku pitching staff, Van Ness was a Second Team All-League selection last season as a junior.
“He’s been playing baseball since he was 3-and-a-half, and I was coaching T-ball,” said the father. “He knows the game well. He has a decent fast ball, and he has a very good curve ball and good control.”
Offensively, son Van Ness also has set the pace this preseason, batting .600.
“He’s not a power hitter, but he has a good eye for the ball,” Van Ness added. “Last year, he hit right at about .500 for the season.”
The coach also is expecting his nephew, junior R.J. Van Ness, to have a big impact. He begins the season as the team’s No. 2 pitcher cousin Steven.
“Along with Steven, they’ll anchor our staff,” Van Ness said. “They’re both excellent pitchers. R.J. is very crafty with his off-speed pitches, and he throws a knuckle ball, a curve and a change-up.
“One of the reasons we’re excited about the season is that we have four pitchers who know how to throw strikes and who won’t hurt us. When you have good pitching, you have a chance. I think we’ll be adequate, defensively. One of the things that has hurt Kahuku in the past is that we never really bred a lot of pitchers or middle infielders. We’ve always had talent - that has never been in question - but the fundamentals are where we’ve been beaten bad in baseball. It is hard to overcome mistakes.”
Also figuring into his plans are senior shortstop Jordan Kamae, junior first baseman Tima Tapusoa and sophomore pitcher J.J. Nozawa.
“Jordan is our lead-off hitter,” he said. “He’s very fast, and we’re expecting big things from him. Scoring runs and stealing bases will be his role. Tima is a good left-handed hitter, and J.J. has good control like Steven and R.J.”
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