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Wednesday, April 26, 2000

Iolani grabs top honors
on All-State softball team

By Tim Crouse
Special to the Star-Bulletin

After clinching the softball championship with a perfect game and finishing the season with an unblemished record on the mound, Iolani hurler Mitzi Ing capped off her senior campaign by being selected Pitcher of the Year.

Ing shared top all-state honors with two very familiar faces -- teammate Ianeta Lei and head coach Chris Shimabukuro.

Lei was chosen as the Player of the Year, and Shimabukuro as Coach of the Year, for the second straight season.

"She's not the most dominant pitcher, but because she battles so hard and has such a good understanding of the game (she's successful)," Shimabukuro said of his mound ace.

Ing was 15-0 with a microscopic 0.28 ERA this past season. Besides her perfect game against Mililani in the state championship game, she also threw a no-hitter against Maryknoll.

On the rare occasions when she got into trouble, Ing knew how to escape. Often it was with the help of her go-to pitch -- the riser.

She fanned 87 batters in her 99 innings.

"She's been on varsity all four years and it's her maturity, work ethic and passion for the game that really make her special," Shimabukuro said.

Lei, a sophomore who also made last season's all-state team, cited Ing's leadership skills as reasons for her success.

"She works hard and never gives up," Lei said. "She's a role model for the rest of us."

In her junior and senior seasons, Ing compiled a 30-1 record.

In her two seasons at Iolani, Lei has provided much of the offense to support Ing.

She hit .500 this season, with an astounding .891 slugging percentage. Lei knocked in 20 runs and scored 20 runs.

"She has maturity on the field and she plays past her years," Ing said.

Shimabukuro guided the Raiders to championships in both his years as head coach.

"He's more than just a coach," Ing said.

"He tries to be a friend to us. He tries to make playing and practicing fun."

Five other Iolani players were selected to the first team by a panel of coaches and officials.

Catcher Aurea Astro, first baseman Taryn Nagata, infielders Kacy Nekoba and Lisa Iwamoto and outfielder Cindy Higa all made the first-team for Iolani.

Mililani placed two on the team: pitcher Johnna Rowland, whose loss to Ing and Iolani in the season finale was the only blemish on her record the past two years, and outfielder Marie Jackson.

Baldwin also had a pair selected: pitcher Shannon Tabion and infielder Kaleo Eldredge.

The other three spots were filled by first baseman Erin Castillo (Waimea), utility player Rachel Lacar (Pearl City) and outfielder Kimberly Makahilahila (Kameha-meha).

See Prep Notebook for the all-league girls' softball teams.