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Wednesday, January 31, 2001

Baldwin to make
best pitch for
state title

The Bears' Tabion is one ace
in a stacked deck of pitchers in
the state softball tournament

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By Tim Crouse
Special to the Star-Bulletin

SOFTBALL is a pitcher's game.

Almost every team that wins a state championship has a top-notch ace who can pitch a lot of innings and days in a row.

Iolani won the title last season behind Mitzi Ing, who finished off the Raiders' run through the tournament with a perfect game against Mililani in the championship game.

Baldwin is one of a handful of teams in this year's tournament with an ace who can carry the team.

For the Maui Interscholastic League champion Bears, Shannon Tabion is that pitcher.

"She's got different pitches, and she's very smart," Waimea coach Pat Baniaga said. "She can compete with any pitcher in the state."

The Maui senior turned in some spectacular performances this year, including a 17-strikeout no-hitter against Lahainaluna earlier this month in the MIL championship game.

"She has very good command of all her pitches," Baldwin coach Ryan Souza said. "She can throw them all for strikes."

Strikes are what Tabion aims for.

"She's going to go after every batter," Souza said. "Her intention is to sit every batter down."

Souza said he's had to encourage Tabion to try to let the defense do some of the work, which is something many of the state's top pitchers do.

"They're not going up there and striking everyone out," he said. "They let the defense help."

He points to Mililani sophomore ace Miki Asamura as an example. "Miki doesn't have a dominant fastball. She goes up there and hits her spots," Souza said.

Tabion also has an intense desire to compete. "She wants to be there," Souza said. "If I don't throw her, she feels like she can't help us."

In a preseason tournament, Baldwin was scheduled to play three games in one day.

Tabion told Souza she wanted to pitch all three games.

Tabion, Asamura, Loihi McKeague of Pearl City, Leo Sing Chow of Kamehameha and Ianeta Lei of Iolani all proved this season they are capable of taking over a game from the mound.

Now the challenge is to do it against the best competition in the state for three or four consecutive games.

The tournament, at Rainbow Wahine Stadium, starts today and runs through Saturday. Here's a look at this year's state championship teams:

Mililani (12-0):

OIA champion, No. 1 seed, no state championships, coach Mike Okimoto:

After an early season injury to all-state pitcher Johnna Rowland, Asamura stepped up to lead her team through an undefeated season.

Asamura has developed into one of the state's top hurlers, pitching efficiently and letting her defense do its job.

Okimoto said Rowland, although not completely recovered from a quadricep injury, is ready to pitch in relief if needed.

Anuhea Diamond is steady behind the plate and at the plate for the Trojans. Tiari Keliinoi and Rowland also carry big bats.

Iolani (13-2):

ILH champion, No. 2 seed, two championships (most recently in 2000), coach Chris Shimabukuro:

The two-time defending champs are led by Ianeta Lei, the 2000 position player of the year who is in contention this season for pitcher of the year. Lei was dominant all season on the mound, and also swung a hot bat.

Leadoff batter and right fielder Stacey Higa is the team's best hitter, setting up DH Tara Yanagihashi, freshman catcher Tricia Sakamoto and Lei.

Senior shortstop Noelle Izumi -- a three-year starter -- is the defensive leader. Shimabukuro called her play this year "unbelievable."

Baldwin (12-0):

MIL champion, No. 3 seed, no championships, coach Ryan Souza:

Senior shortstop Kaleo Eldredge is a huge factor for the Bears. The leadoff hitter, who recently committed to Cal State Berkley to play as a center fielder, teams with Zoei Sevilla and Ashlyn Russell to provide offense.

Souza's dad, Rudy, won 19 MIL titles in 22 years as head coach, and now serves as pitching coach.

Hilo (9-0):

BIIF champion, No. 4 seed, one championship (in 1978), coach Walter Carvalho:

Hitting is the strength of this team, but the Vikings have received strong pitching from the Kahana sisters -- Cassie and Tasha.

Top hitters include Tita Hanohano, Haunani Hasenritter, Josanda Napiahi, Diana Nakoa and Cassie Kahana.

When she's not pitching, Cassie can play anywhere on the infield. The junior won six games during the regular season.

Starting third baseman and backup pitcher Tasha won the other three games, throwing two no-hitters in the process.

Kailua (11-2):

OIA fifth place, nine championships (most recently in 1997), coach Bernard Victor:

The Surfriders have a strong one-two pitching punch of Shelly Featheran and Danielle Young. Featheran took the team through the regular season and Young pitched extremely well in the OIA Tournament, allowing just one run in 18 innings.

At the plate, Pikake Choy Foo, Loki Lastimosa and Jana Pintz provide offensive support for the Surfriders, who have won more state titles than any other team.

Kaimuki (11-2):

OIA third place, no championships, coach Lene Tausaga:

The pitching tandem of Jamie Reyes and Chrissy Moefu proved very effective throughout the regular season. Reyes will start today's game against Waiakea.

Tyleen Tausaga is the team's top hitter. Tahra Hussey, Noelani Tamanaha and Neolina Lakalaka also produce at the plate.

Catcher Tahra is one of three Hussey twins, along with right fielder Rachael and center fielder Sarah.

Kamehameha (12-3):

ILH runner-up, six championships (most recently in 1998), coach Ty Sing Chow:

The Warriors are very dangerous with a legitimate shot at winning it all, despite not being seeded.

Pitcher Leo Sing Chow was dominant throughout the season, including a stretch of 17 scoreless innings to start the ILH season.

Sing Chow, the niece of coach Ty, proved she could pitch against the best competition, by throwing very well in three games against Iolani.

Ashley Ruff, Courtney Cho and Sharee Fonoti are dangerous at the plate.

Lahainaluna (9-3):

MIL runner-up, no championships, coach Earl Kukahiko:

Junior Shyra Smith and freshman Tiara Kukahiko will split the pitching duties, with Smith starting today against Kamehameha in a rematch of the 1999 title game. Shortstop Mari Finn, in the No. 3 slot, is the team's most consistent hitter. Micah Ailetcher bats cleanup.

The Lunas are a good defensive team with the reputation for being scrappy. Three seniors remain from the '99 team that lost to the Warriors, 1-0, in the championship game.

Leilehua (8-5):

OIA fourth place, no championships, coach MaryAnn Christian:

Two freshman -- Alexis San Nicholas and Shalayna Nutter-Gaudet -- take care of most of the pitching. Nutter-Gaudet threw a five-inning no-hitter in her first varsity start.

The Mules need senior first baseman Sherris Richards, who is playing with an injured arm, to provide some punch at the plate. Catcher Charlotte Garcia is the defensive leader and Heidi Garcia is one of the team's top hitters.

Pearl City (10-2):

OIA runner-up, two championships (most recently in 1992), coach Cheyene Thompson:

The Chargers face off against a familiar foe today, playing Leilehua for the third time this season. Pearl City won both games.

Whether or not this team makes a deep run in the tournament depends on ace Loihi McKeague, who pitched a one-hitter in the OIA title game.

Shortstop Cheryl Villarmia, McKeague and the Pagatpatan sisters -- Ashley and Amber -- are offensive threats.

Waiakea (7-2):

BIIF runner-up, no championships, coach Tammy Lee:

Junior Myra Amisone and senior Chevis Campbell split time on the mound.

Amisone is also the team's top hitter. DH Chelsea Rice and freshman Amalae Feki also provide support at the plate. Shortstop Dawn Shiroma is one of the team leaders.

The team is making its third consecutive tournament appearance, with a mix of four seniors and a starting freshman catcher and center fielder.

Waimea (11-1):

KIF champion, one champion in 1990, coach Pat Baniaga:

Junior all-stater Erin Castillo and center fielder Robyn Hoopii-Manuel lead the offense, although Baniaga said defense is the real strength of the team.

Two-year starter Albette Nawai is the top pitcher for the Warriors.

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