Regional Champion Broncos Hope For Western Zone Win

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2009 P.O.N.Y. Bronco Champions for the Hawaii Region are Windward baseball players (front row, from left) Alika Kahaulelio, Kody Cacal, Justice Kaawa, Robb Risso, Jonathan Pang, Kaimana Manago, (middle) Solomon Fellezs, Kapono Lucas, Jordan Yamamoto, Ryder Kuhns, Chase Kalama, Corey Nakakura, Ryan Mohika, Shawn Ulsh and (back) coaches Kelly Cacal, Kyle Nakakura, Dave Kamalu and Larry Yamamoto. Photo from Roxane Kamalu.

When David Kamalu searches his Windward P.O.N.Y. Bronco All-Star team’s roster, he always knows he has options - a lot of options, to hear him tell it.

“Some days you’re on, some days you’re off - that’s baseball,” said Kamalu. “All we can ask is to do the best we can, but we have a lot of athletes. If a guy gets hurt or sick, it’s ‘take care of yourself and get better.’ There’s always a guy ready to step in.”

The team, which is made up of kids from Kailua, Kaneohe and Kaaawa, is in Whittier, Calif. this week for the National Western Zone Tournament. Should they get by their competitors there, they move on to the Bronco World Series in Monterey Aug. 4-11. Windward recently captured the Hawaii region title, reeling off six straight victories to win both the Waianae sectional and the state tournament in Hilo.

For five of Kamalu’s players - Dane Kamalu (catcher/shortstop), Ryder Kuhns (pitcher/right fielder), Kapono Lucas (pitcher/infielder/outfielder), Robb Riso (infield/out-field) and Kaimana Manago (second base/outfield) - their recent state championship gave them a chance at the national tournament. They were all members of the Mustang state champion team coached by Kamalu two summers ago, which played in the Western Zone Tournament in Chino Hills, Calif. They all are key members of Windward’s Bronco All-Star team, whose members are 11 and 12 years old.

“Those five have all been there before, and the others follow them,” Kamalu said. “Playing a lot together, being with each other, helps them to gel. You bond real quick, and they’re just like brothers. Most of these players have been playing together for a long time and have experienced game situations time and time again.

“I think we’ve been getting some luck, too,” he added. “Lots of luck.” Filling out the roster are Solomon Fellezs, Jordan Yamamoto, Chase Kalama, Corey Nakakura, Ryan Mohika, Shawn Ulsh, Akika Kahaulelio, Kody Cacal, Justice Kaawa and Jonathan Pang.

On the field, Kamalu said “awesome pitching and good bats” are big reasons why Windward made it out of the Hawaii region.

“(Offensively), we’re pretty well-balanced,” said Kamalu, whose staff also includes coaches Kelly Cacal, Kyle Nakakura and Larry Yamamoto. “If the front part of the order isn’t hitting, the back of the lineup can hit. If they’re all on, it can be a long day for the other team.

This group seems to be very focused - they want it!”

For Windward, he said, staying focused means “playing them one game at a time and going from there.”