FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Mililani relief pitcher Ryan Tsutsui went four innings in yesterday's victory over Mid-Pacific.

Trojans capture tourney
by exploding past Owls

It might only be the preseason, but if the 25th annual Richard Kitamura/Mid Pacific baseball tournament was any indication, the Mililani Trojans are going to be a force in the Oahu Interscholastic Association.

Chaz Miyashiro went 4-for-4 and freshman Dustin Antolin capped a five-run fifth inning with a three-run homer as the Trojans defeated Mid-Pacific 11-2 in yesterday's championship game at the Owls' home field.

Miyashiro also picked up the win for Mililani, giving up two runs in three innings before giving way to Ryan Tsutsui, who gave up just two hits the rest of the way.

"This tournament really helps us see where we're at," Trojans coach Dean Sato said. "I told the kids this is like the OIA playoffs and our tournament next week is like the state tournament. We're not taking any of these games lightly."

The players clearly responded to their coach, as last night's game was a full team effort. Every Trojans batter in the starting lineup reached base and only two didn't score a run.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Mililani's Dustin Antolin, back, hit a three-run homer and was greeted by Jordan Apduhan, left, at home plate.

Part of the reason for the Trojans' early season success may be a training room that was built three months ago at Mililani. After accepting the tournament championship trophy, Sato dedicated it to the builder of their new training room, Chester Murata.

"If it wasn't for him, we wouldn't be as ready and prepared for this season," Sato said. "Even with just one strand of lights on, these kids have been in there training every day, and it has already shown on the field."

Trailing 1-0, the Trojans took the lead in the bottom of the second inning on a two-out, two-run single by Tony Aquino, who would later score on an RBI single by Miyashiro.

But it was a five-run fifth inning that put the game away. Miyashiro's leadoff double chased Owls starting pitcher Reece Uyeno, but relief pitcher Kyle Sakamoto ran into more trouble, giving up two hits and a walk before Antolin jacked a three-run blast to center to put Mililani up 9-2.

"I just wanted to rip 'em," Antolin said. "Everyone else was hitting before me, so I just went up there telling myself, 'Okay, it's my turn.' "

Just a freshman, Antolin is also a pitcher for the Trojans, with a fastball that has been clocked in the mid-80s.

"We don't fool around with freshmen," Sato said. "If you're a freshman and you're on varsity, you're going to play. We don't bring them up just to have them sit on the bench."

The Owls won't have to wait long to look for revenge against the Trojans, as both teams will compete in Mililani's tournament this weekend.

FL MORRIS / FMORRIS@STARBULLETIN.COM Mililani's Kelsey Nakata forced out Mid-Pacific's Conan Young at second base and then threw to first for a double play.