Malu Peralta landed on the All-BIIF Division II first team as a pitcher, a pleasant surprise but not an unexpected one, despite being a first-time starter.
Malu Peralta landed on the All-BIIF Division II first team as a pitcher, a pleasant surprise but not an unexpected one, despite being a first-time starter.
The 6-foot-1 senior right-hander spent the three previous years as a spare part for the Warriors, who have a deep harvest of young talent.
Also on the first team are freshman catcher DallasJ Duarte, sophomore first baseman Kobie Kinzie, junior second baseman Daylen Calicdan, and junior third baseman Makana Aiona.
Four Warriors also received honorable mention: sophomore outfielder Kegan Miura, junior outfielder Baron Victorino (yes, he’s related to Shane Victorino), sophomore shortstop Jai Cabatbat, and junior utility Brandyn Lee-Lehano.
“The good thing is we had a lot of kids who worked hard,” Kamehameha coach Andy Correa said. “When you get those types of kids, the results are usually there at the end of the year.
“It’s really nice that they’re all motivated. The best thing about is they all want to be there, to come to practice and deal with the coaches. I know I say the same things about the kids, but it’s all true.”
If Correa ever needs to point to the best Exhibit A of Hard Work Pays Off, he’ll mention Peralta, who built a mound in his back yard and garage.
Why two? That’s because if it rains, Peralta doesn’t have to stop his workout.
“Malu was a pleasant surprise. It was two years of hard work for one year of success,” Correa said. “He’s a nice story. He’s somebody who never gave up. All last year, he worked on his pitching. That’s all he did.
“He was constantly working on it, and working on it. And he had to wait. This year was to be his year. But when the season started, we didn’t know what we’d get. He hadn’t thrown more than two innings.”
Peralta went 7-0 with a 0.96 ERA in 43 2/3 innings. He allowed 35 hits, walked 20 and struck out 43.
“It was always a goal to be on the first team,” he said. “Since I was a freshman, I used to catch the bus to school and the radio would announce the first team from each sport.”
Peralta’s story gets even better.
He signed a full-ride scholarship, including housing, with Eastern Arizona, a heavily scouted junior college.
Peralta, who graduated with a 3.4 GPA and will major in psychology, was hooked up by Kaha Wong’s Big Island Baseball program during a showcase last September in Arizona.
He knows all about how production can turn into a Division I deal, and looks at Honokaa graduate Dylan Shiraki, who went to Eastern Arizona and is now at Northern Colorado, where he went 2-3 with a 7.46 ERA in 44 2/3 innings.
The Bears are in the Western Athletic Conference, and one of the assistants is Kainoa Correa, nephew of Andy Correa.
“I would have never expected it,” Peralta said. “The best part is you focus on baseball all year round. It’ll be one of the most developmental years in baseball I’ll have.”
Peralta’s fastball has topped out at 91 mph, with room for improvement with more eventual muscle added to his lanky frame.
“I lacked control and was trying to throw too hard,” he said. “As a I matured, I realized it’s not about speed, but much more about teamwork (letting your defense work), and consistency of pitches, try to get an out and not a strikeout.
“Coach Andy has preached patience and consistency. Coach Kaha has helped everyone on the Big Island with exposure.”
Mom’s influence
Peralta grew up in a single-parent household. He points to his mom Jodi Peralta as an inspiration. His pride is that he’s a reflection of her.
“She instilled a hallmark that everything you do be in the name of humility,” said Peralta, well-spoken and polite.
She’ll soon have an empty nest. But it’ll be a proud moment for Jodi Peralta.
Her oldest son, Daniel Peralta, a 2014 Hawaii Prep graduate, will leave for the Marines in two weeks.
Her youngest has to report to the Eastern Arizona dorms by Aug. 15.
“I’m so happy,” Peralta said. “I never thought I could progress in a way that I did to get a scholarship. It’s the best thing I could ask for.”
Well, he didn’t really ask for a full-ride. Peralta earned it.
story created on Thursday 6/4/2015 at 7:37:35 pm by Kevin Jakahi
story modified on Thursday 6/4/2015 at 8:11:43 pm by Matt Gerhart