Kailua gets by with brains

High School Baseball Top 10

The Kailua Surfriders have done the unthinkable.

They've actually caused their coach, Corey Ishigo, to worry just a little less than usual. In fact, the longtime coach says this year's Surfriders are a unique bunch.

"This group is different. They're smarter. Before, we had kids who are athletic. These guys aren't as athletic, but they're more thinkers," Ishigo said.

Kailua, now 8-1 in Oahu Interscholastic Association East play, rose two notches to No. 5 in today's Star-Bulletin Baseball Top 10.

The Surfriders were 4-16 in nonconference play, which would seem alarming on paper. However, Ishigo's teams have a history of turning the corner in league play, blossoming into powerhouses regardless of early win-loss numbers.

Senior ace Kili Vierra has been a steadying influence on the mound, and Preston Nakata and Marcus Mathews have also played well. As a team, however, the Surfriders have impressed their mentor.

"We're playing well defensively, not making any stupid mistakes. We're making the routine plays," Ishigo said.

Nakata, a left-hander, could start in tomorrow's big matchup with Roosevelt since Vierra started in Kailua's win over Kalani on Saturday. Ishigo expects more of the same in terms of execution.

"They do everything on their own, call their own signals, run their own plays," he said. "Offensively, they'll let me know what they want to do."

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