Friday, May 1, 1998
Adept at adapting
Hawaii senior shortstop
By Dave Reardon
Kehau Cofran has made the adjustments
necessary to become a solid all-
around softball player
Special to the Star-BulletinFOR Kehau Cofran, it's all about adjustment. That's why she's among the three survivors in her University of Hawaii softball senior class.
"There were about 10 of us. Some had problems, some had babies, some just stopped going to school, some felt they had to move on," Cofran said of the group she came in with four years ago. "That makes me pretty proud of what I've accomplished. Since I was young, my dad taught me not to quit. If you start something, don't quit."
The careers of shortstop Cofran, outfielder Tia Morenz and catcher Aiko Okamura could end earlier than they would like unless the Wahine come through tomorrow and Saturday in their final four regular-season games against UNLV at the UH Softball Stadium.
"We're pushing each other, but we do it in a fun and supportive way," Cofran said. "The message is there."
Hawaii, although ranked No. 12 in the nation with a 41-13 record, must finish strong to ensure an at-large bid to the NCAA regionals. The Wahine were 5-5 on their recent road trip.
"We're at the point now where if we want to go on, we have to win this weekend," Cofran said. "It's make or break. The season could totally end."
Cofran hasn't experienced regional play since her freshman year in 1995, when she was a backup at short to Dee Wisneski, now a Wahine assistant coach.
"She was very unsure and inconsistent," Hawaii coach Bob Coolen said.
It was a season of adjustment for Cofran after coming out of Kailua High School. She needed to prove she could hit at the Division I level.
"It takes all freshman a while, but she got to play a lot and that helped," Wisneski said.
"Kehau already had a gun, good range and a sense of how to position herself. And great hands. But her hitting has come a long way."
In the Oahu Interscholastic Association, Cofran could swing from her heels and knock in runs. But in college, Coolen wanted the left-handed hitting Cofran to become a slapper and bunter.
"Coming into college, I had to learn more about the short game," Cofran said.
"Coach Coolen taught me. I like a tough coach who knows the game and will push me. That's how he is.
"At first, I just wanted to hit away all the time, but I learned that if he needs me to slap the ball or bunt, I'll do the best I can."
That was the first adjustment.
Cofran batted only .226 in 62 at-bats as a freshman. She improved to .332 with 16 sacrifices in 202 at-bats as a sophomore.
"After Dee graduated, her whole game changed," Coolen said.
Of course, the "juiced" yellow ball had something to do with it. In 1996, the NCAA began using a ball with a more solid core that flies better off the bat (Cofran had the first two of her three career homers in '96). Still, Cofran had improved as a hitter, finishing third on the team in batting average.
Then came another adjustment -- hitting was becoming a craft for Cofran, and a good craftsman always uses the right tool for the situation.
"I have two bats. My old bat from before and an end-loaded bat," she said. "They're the same weight, but the swing comes around slower with the old bat, and that's the one I use to slap or bunt."
Because she bats in the middle of the Hawaii lineup, Cofran might be called on for a variety of situational hitting tasks: get on, advance a runner, drive one in.
She's been up to the task, as Coolen and Wisneski agree she is not only an outstanding defensive player, but a complete offensive threat. Cofran batted .344 last year and is hitting .335 this season with gap power that has accounted for 27 career doubles and nine triples.
"(Coolen) gives us signals," Cofran said.
"But some of us have the green light to adjust if we see the defense move a certain way. So that means I'm still learning how to hit all the time."
There it is again -- adjustment.
Cofran successfully changed her batting style twice. Okamura had the guts to walk on and become a valuable starter. Morenz arrived as a catcher and is now an outstanding outfielder.
"They've evolved with the game," Coolen said of his seniors. "They know they can come back from any deficit."
Cofran, like Morenz, might have another adjustment to make -- she is being scouted to play professional softball.
http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu
