• Editor’s note: This is the second article of a three-part series previewing the KIF baseball season.
HANAPEPE — There is an old saying in sports: It’s tough to repeat. However, with 14 baseball players returning from last year’s KIF championship team, many of whom are still underclassman, the Waimea High School Menehune could be on the verge of doing just that.
Offense appears to be a strength for the Menehune this season, specifically in the power department, which is one aspect of the game the Kaua‘i High School Red Raiders and Kapa‘a High School Warriors may not be able to match.
“We have cranked up on the hitting this year,” said Head Coach Michael Rita. “As of last year, we weren’t really a hitting team, and we got a new assistant coach in Larry Ephan, and so far they are hitting the ball great.”
Wednesday at practice was no exception as Rita had his players in a number of hitting drills and stations, working everything from live hitting to sacrifice bunts and slash-bunts, while he broke down each of the players’ strengths and weaknesses. Although its coaching staff has stressed the offensive side of the ball, defense has not been lost on Waimea or Rita.
“All the years I have coached, I have stressed defense,” Rita said. “If we stress defense, the runs will come.”
Waimea will open up with a doubleheader on Saturday against the Red Raiders, and its offense will be on full display.
According to Rita, defense will be the key to any Menehune success this season, which is an area where it has struggled at times during the preseason.
“Defense will set the tone,” Rita said. “If you start making errors on defense, and we did in one game during the preseason, the team folded. Mentally, we have to stay tough in the game. Really this team can bunch up runs, but if they get themselves down, we might struggle.”
The respect amongst the teams competing this season and the coaching staffs is apparent. Each staff has praised the other, and Rita was no exception.
“(Kaua‘i) has a young team, but great young talent,” Rita said. “On the offensive side, maybe not the most power, but they know the mental part of the game.
“For Kapa‘a, they have great pitching. We know they have good pitching. They know the game, and with their great pitching, it’s going to be great games and a great season.”
- Shandon San Agustine-Nordmeier
- Brock Tacata
- Acetyn Emayo
- BJ Freitas
- Mikey Rita
- Kailen Pablo-Otoman
- Wyatt Taniguchi
- Brayden Silva
- Kalen Games
- JP Pagtolingan
- Drayden Compos-Banasihan
- Devon Hartsell
- Levi Sagucio
- Job DelosReyes
- Devan Vidinha-Lazaro
- Jordan Baptista
- Ky Tomimoto
- Justin Silva
- Bryton Lumabao
- Theron Shigematsu
- Brock Ephan
- Mikah Wisneski
