Kealakehe is just happy to be home. After a tough 2016 season, both on and off the diamond, the Waveriders finally get to return to their field where the year long renovation is finally over. Kealakehe did not play a
Kealakehe is just happy to be home. After a tough 2016 season, both on and off the diamond, the Waveriders finally get to return to their field where the year long renovation is finally over. Kealakehe did not play a home game last season, going 2-9 while constantly dealing with the pressures of travel and missing class.
It was also sort of a rebuilding year for the Waveriders, who started three or four freshmen in nearly every game.
“The speed of the game was a little too quick for them last year. They needed to learn the details of the game,” said Kealekehe head coach Josh Hansen. “This year we will have three to four sophomores now starting with more experience, and we get to do it at home, where we can finally get some rest from all the travel. It is nice to have our own yard again. We have a field we can now take pride in, a field that we don’t want to lose on, something that can push us to that next level.”
While, Kealakehe has several returners this year, it is a new face that has been most noticeable through the off-season and into the preseason.
Eli Lai, a transfer student from Mililani, made a name for himself during off season workouts by training at Kealakehe with MLB journeyman Adam Rosales, while he was visiting the Big Island.
Lai worked along side the Oakland Athletics player, honing his skills at the plate and in the infield.
“Eli has a good arm and is pretty solid defensively,” Hansen said. “He will also be our No. 1 pitcher and has good heat for our league, throwing in the low 80’s.”
Despite starting his first year at Kealakehe, Lai will also take on a leadership role with the team, leading by example, according to Hansen.
He will be joined by Toby Estrella, who will lead the team from behind the plate after starting last season as a freshman.
“He really committed himself to the weight room this offseason and got a lot stronger,” Hansen said. “He has also really worked on his blocking and I can count on him to call pitches behind the plate. He keeps the pace and tempo of the game up.”
Joining Lai on the hill will be Bolyndon Jim and Tupu Toafili. Jim will be the team’s No. 2 pitcher and will also start at third. Toafili fills in at No. 3, while also starting in center.
“Bolyndon will not overpower anyone, but he is very crafty,” Hansen said. “He hits his spots well and is consistent. At third he has a good glove and a plus-arm. He is a utility player and can play first and anywhere in the outfield. He will move around depending on who is pitching.”
“Tupu is a sidearm pitcher with a lot of movement. He is a ground-ball pitcher,” Hansen added. “He is also the fastest guy on the team and a very vocal leader. His bat is decent and he is a nightmare on the base path.”
Makana Kaluau and Dennison Joaquin will start in the field and also spend time on the hill in relief roles. Kaluau, a lefty, will play in the outfield. Joaquin will bat leadoff and start at second base.
“Makana hits his spots and has solid off-speed pitches that keeps hitters off balance,” Hansen said. “He knows the game well and is one of the better defensive outfielders on the team.”
“Dennison started at shortstop last season but moves over to second because of Lai,” Hansen added. “He has really good hands and quick feet. He is probably the second most consistent hitter on the team.
As for the most consistent hitter, that title belongs to Hunter Cuaresma, a returning senior who will play first base and hit fourth or fifth in the lineup.
“He has a good glove at first and is probably the smartest guy on the baseball field,” Hansen said. “He outworks everyone and knows the game up and down. Defense is probably his best attribute.”
Bryton Lewi comes back to baseball after a one-year hiatus. The multi-sport standout also plays basketball and football.
“Bryton is probably all-around the best athlete out there,” Hansen said. “He is really good on the base path and is a gap-to-gap hitter with a little bit of pop.”
Amongst the many returning players, Isaac Kaku, a freshman, has managed to gain the attention of his coach. He will spend time in the outfield and on the mound in long relief.
“He has good size and is a contact hitter,” Hansen said. “He is very coachable and quick. He will probably the courtesy runner for the catcher when he isn’t starting.”
With his young squad gaining experience, and a home field to play on, Hansen is expecting his team to have a much better performance than last year, but he admits there is still a lot of work to do.
“We need to learn how to compete as a team,” Hansen said. “Once we do that we can gel and start to buy into the system that is in place. This team has the right attitude and I like our chances.”
