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Wednesday, May 3, 2000
Ishigo, Kailua poised
St. Louis, Punahou advance By Tim Crouse
to make a state-ment
Special to the Star-BulletinThe upperclassmen on the Kailua High School baseball team have been working with coach Corey Ishigo the past four years to make a statement in the state tournament.
With a win in the Oahu Interscholastic Association Tournament tomorrow, the Surfriders will earn that chance.
Kailua will play the winner of today's Waianae (8-2)-Kalani (4-5) first-round game, and if the Surfriders are victorious, they'll be in the state tournament.
"We've been working for four years together, summer leagues, fall leagues, everything," senior pitcher Ryan Exstrom said.
"Our team is pretty close. I just hope all the work pays off."
Five seniors start for a Kailua team that headed into its final regular season game last Saturday with a chance to win the OIA Eastern Division title.
McKinley spoiled that opportunity by pulling out a 3-2 victory, and the Surfriders (7-2) are the No. 2 seed in this week's league tournament.
"Getting a chance to go to states is more of a team goal than winning the East," said Ishigo, who was a standout at Kailua and played for the University of Hawaii from 1992-95.
The Surfriders worked their way into the state tournament last year, only to land in the way of Waipahu's ace hurler Jerome Williams in the first round.
By winning the OIA Tournament this week, Kailua could be one of the top seeds heading into the state tournament, which will be held May 17-20, on Maui.
Ishigo said his team still hasn't reached their full potential yet this year.
"We played a couple good games in the regular season, and hopefully the whole team can come around during the playoffs," he said.
Exstrom said the Surfriders play their best when they are relaxed, just having fun.
Ishigo has used four starting pitchers this year, but said any of them can be used in relief.
"We have no one who dominates, but they all throw strikes, let our defense work and keep us in the ballgame," he said.
He hasn't decided who will start tomorrow.
Senior David Horswill, who handed Castle its only loss of the OIA season, and Exstrom were unbeaten in the regular season. Pomai Mokulehua and Kawika Kekaula also start.
Senior shortstop Bruddah Choy Foo, whom Ishigo said may be selected in the major league draft, is one of Kailua's biggest weapons. (Choy Foo verbally committed to play football for Oregon State earlier.)
Choy Foo has a big bat, a lot of speed, and most importantly said Ishigo, is a great defensive player.
Ishigo said the Surfriders scrimmaged against most of the Interscholastic League of Honolulu teams in the preseason, and are familiar with what those teams can do.
Kailua also traveled to Maui in the preseason, and had the chance to get used to playing at Iron Maehara Stadium in Wailuku, where the state tournament will be played this year.
Ishigo said the ILH has an advantage on OIA teams because of their 14-game regular season and double-elimination tournament.
"They're more in baseball shape than we are because they've played three games a week and we've played two," Ishigo said.
But getting the chance to play three straight days in the OIA Tournament will help the Surfriders prepare for a long weekend in the state tournament.
Punahou and St. Louis both advanced in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu baseball tournament with wins yesterday at Ala Wai Field. St. Louis, Punahou advance
The two play each other today at 3:45 p.m. at Ala Wai field.
Punahou 3, MPI 0: The Buffanblu scored three runs in the top of the eighth to break up a pitching duel between Peter Phillips and Eric Lum, eliminating the Owls.
St. Louis 9, Damien 8: Isaac Harbottle drove in two runs and also picked up a save in relief to lead the Crusaders over the Monarchs.
