It won’t be so easy for Kamehameha in BIIF Division II softball this season, which is looking like it’ll be filled with parity because of so many graduated aces.
That includes the Warriors, who have won the last eight BIIF championships, relying on a strong core of pitchers over two decades. But they graduated their ace Brooke Baptiste and return just five starters.
But the those five all landed on the All-BIIF first team: second baseman Dioni Lincoln, shortstop Kawehi Ili, third baseman Leiloa Bustamante, catcher Kawai Kauahi-Raquel, and outfielder Kaula Martin.
It’s probably not the best strategy to try and outslug an opponent. So the Warriors will try a different approach. Instead of counting on an ace, they’re developing three pitchers: seniors Bustamante and Hiwa Helenihi, and freshman Kahiwa Ili.
If the Ili last name sounds familiar that’s because she’s Kawehi’s sister. Kuulei Ili, a first baseman, graduated and is now playing ball at Crown College, a Division III school in Minnesota.
“We’re pretty young and everybody will be contributing,” coach Akea Kiyuna said. “Depending on who we face, we’ll have a rotation of three pitchers. They can start or come in to relieve. They’ll play multiple positions as well.”
“We have another Ili sister in the fifth grade. We’ll have them for a long time. The good thing is we can showcase everybody, and their contributions will show that it’s a team sport.”
It’ll be learning on the job for the three pitchers.
“Hiwa is a little deceptive and commands herself well in the circle,” Kiyuna said. “Her snap gives her nice spin and movement on the ball.
“Leiloa brings maturity and competitiveness. Kahiwa is so new to pitching. It’s great to work with her on fundamentals. She’s open and willing to contribute.”
None of the Warrior pitchers will overpower bats, and the defense will get a lot of work. At least, there’s a strong up the middle presence with Kauahi-Raquel, Ili, Lincoln, and Martin, who may see time at first base.
One thing Kiyuna likes is that the Warriors are loaded with leaders, like Kauahi-Raquel, a lead-by-example type.
“She’s strong and a competitor,” she said. “She does what she needs to do to help develop the younger ones. She’s one of few words and leads by example.”
Lincoln looks a lot like her sister, except at 5 feet 2, she’s two inches taller. But both have that same line-drive swing, built by their father Derek Lincoln.
She enjoys the team chemistry and has the same thoughts as everyone else about the team’s pitching.
“I like that we’re all close and all get along,” Lincoln said. “Our pitching is coming along. We’ll keep playing and get better.”
Like her sister, she’s big on self-improvement.
“I’m working hard and hoping to do better,” said Lincoln, who packs surprising power for someone her size.
The two corner outfield spots are up for grabs. But one youngster making noise is sophomore Kealohilani Grace.
“She’ll go where she’s needed, third base, catcher, outfield,” Kiyuna said. “She has a good attitude and she’ll learn the entirety of the team.”
The upperclassmen have continually stepped into leadership roles. That’s been going on for the last nine years. It may be the first time when the pitching is so untested.
But that may turn into a good thing. It’ll be another challenge for the Warriors, who have had rotten luck at the state tournament.
They’ve run into state champion Saint Francis, which shut down its school last year, twice over the last two years, losing in the semifinals and in the championship in 2018.
Kiyuna is hoping for a collective effort as the march for a ninth title kicks off Saturday at Kealakehe.
“It’ll take all 18 on the roster, not one person to do it all, we need all 18,” she said. “We have to come together and play as a team. It’ll be very good competition this season.”
