Kamehameha's Chance Arakaki batted 2 for 3 in a win over Mid-Pacific, including a three-run home run in the top of the third inning that ultimately proved to be the difference in the contest. Greg Yamamoto | SL

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Male Athlete of the Week: Chance "Makana" Arakaki, Kamehameha baseball
A 5-2 win over perennial Interscholastic League of Honolulu power Mid-Pacific last week was quite the feather in the cap of Makana Arakaki and the Kamehameha baseball team.

Arakaki, a 6-foot-1, 210-pound senior first baseman/designated hitter, batted 2 for 3 in the game, including a three-run home run in the top of the third inning that ultimately proved to be the difference Thursday at Mid-Pacific's Damon Field.

"That was definitely a big impact," first-year Warriors' coach Tom Perkins said of Arakaki's homer to dead centerfield off Owls' pitcher Chase Wago. "When he hit it the wind was barely blowing. It was mostly him. He got a hold of that one."

Arakaki's homer capped off a four-run third inning for Kamehameha, which outhit Mid-Pacific, 10 to 5, for the game.

"We were hitting the ball well during the game, but we were hitting them right at them," Perkins said. "We had a couple of nice hits, but we just couldn't string them together until that inning."

Perkins said he mentioned to his hitters that Wago was throwing a lot of first-pitch fastballs — more often that not for a strike — and would come back with something off speed.

"We had been talking about that and I told them if you see something you like (on that first pitch), then drive it and (Arakaki) did," Perkins said. "Between (Kekai) Rios as our third batter, Codie (Paiva) hitting cleanup and Makana in the five hole, they don't expect to see anything good — that's what I keep telling them — that they will have to wait for a pitch to get away from the pitcher and make good on their mistake pitches."

Rios, a catcher, is committed to play at the University of Hawaii next year, while Paiva, a third baseman/pitcher, has signed with Loyola Marymount.

"They're all steady hitters, they're consistent, they hit the ball hard and they all have the power to take it deep if they need to," Perkins said. "It's going to be hard for other teams to pitch around anybody in our lineup, because our top seven, eight batters are all going to put the ball in play and hit it hard."

Perkins, who took over the varsity team this year after 20 years as the intermediate coach, said the biggest improvement in Arakaki's game has been his offensive production.

"His hitting has come a long way," Perkins said. "His swing is more fluid, he stays on the ball longer, he sees the ball better. He's been our most consistent hitter every game and he's been able to adjust to different types of pitching. His approach to hitting is really good. To me, he's like a complete hitter."

Arakaki's early-season success should come as no surprise, Perkins said.

"He's always working hard at practice, getting in some extra time hitting and, like most of these kids, he's pretty focused on what he needs to do right now," Perkins said. "Makana is a quiet and effective type."

Perkins said win over the Owls provided a big boost of confidence for his team.

"It was a moral victory for them because last year they had a tough time, so they were really up for the game," Perkins said. "They prepared well and they really wanted that one."

Two days later, Kamehameha dropped a 2-0 decision to defending state champion Saint Louis, but Perkins is hoping the loss will be a blessing in disguise.

"Both pitchers (Saint Louis' Pono Anderson and Kamehameha's Paiva) pitched great games, (but) it was just a matter of getting runners in scoring position and somebody making a mistake," Perkins said. "Unfortunately, it was us who made the mistakes, but the boys realized it, they took the loss gracefully and they're ready to play ball again. They want to come back and play even harder and be better prepared for the next time."

Arakaki and the Warriors next play Thursday, when they take on Punahou at 4:30 p.m. at Goeas Field.

Female Athlete of the Week: Ashley "Alo" Salausa, Leilehua softball
So much for a sophomore slump.

After a breakout freshman campaign last spring, Ashley Salausa is picking up where she left off. Through three league games this season, the Leilehua sophomore center fielder has put up some gaudy statistics.

Salausa, who bats third in the Mules' lineup, boasts a .714 batting average with an on-base percentage of .818. She has seven runs batted, eight runs scored and has drawn nine walks for good measure.

It was Salausa's power, however, that was on display Friday night in Leilehua's 19-9 win over Waianae at Patsy T. Mink/Central Oahu Regional Park. Salausa hit a pair of home runs, doubled, drove in six runs and scored five times in a wild, back-and-forth game.

"I think twice during the game we were behind by four runs or so," Mules' coach Stacy Araki said.

Salausa, who bats and throws left-handed, walked in her first plate appearance and came around to score before her first home run — a two-run line drive to centerfield — in the bottom of the second inning.

In her next at-bat, Salausa doubled to right field and scored. She also drew a walk in the inning — and scored again — as Leilehua batted around in the frame.

"For the most part, she's a line drive hitter, but she has power, too," Araki said. "At practice it's like, 'Wow!," but you have to do in the game. I knew she could it."

In her final at-bat, Salausa ended the game on one swing. She belted a 1-0 pitch to left field for a grand slam that actualized the 10-run differential mercy rule.

"The first (home run) was a line drive and I wasn't too sure if it was going to over, but (the second) one she kind of crushed," Araki said. "That grand slam at the end propelled us over them. She had a big night. She was zoned in."

It was Salausa's second and third home runs of the season.

"Her hitting has been the biggest improvement for her," Araki said. "She can be a very big part of our offensive game — defensively, too — she's going to be a big impact."

There was a time that Araki wasn't so sure if Salausa was healthy enough to play this season.

"She hurt her wrist while playing on the soccer team this offseason, so we were kind of worried about her coming into the season," Araki said. "She sat out the end of the soccer season and I thought it was going to be a problem at the beginning of our season, when we first started."

Araki said Salausa showed some discomfort swinging the bat in practices earlier this year.

"She hit it wrong a couple times and you know, when you do that you hands kind of sting, and she said 'Ugh,' " Araki recalled. "I asked her if it was hurting and she said a little bit, but of course, no one will say 'Yeah, take me out.' "

Salausa's versatility — both offensively and defensively — has been a bonus for Araki. She batted anywhere from third to fifth in the lineup last season and will also see time at first base and behind the plate at catcher this year.

"I think she's benefitted from her mental approach to the game and a little bit of growing up, too," Araki said.

Salausa and the Mules return to the field Saturday, when they host Waipahu at 10 a.m. at Kaala Elementary Field.

BASEBALL
Pono Anderson, Saint Louis — Struck out five, walked two and allowed three hits in seven scoreless innings pitched in a win over Kamehameha

Daylen Calicdan, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run and four RBIs in a win over Konawaena

Micah Chinen, Mililani — Struck out four, walked none and allowed one earned run on two hits in six innings pitched in a win over Leilehua

Koa Eastlack, Mililani — Struck out eight, walked none and allowed one hit in six scoreless innings pitched in a win over Radford

Keola Himan, Campbell — Struck out seven, walked one and allowed two hits in five scoreless innings pitched in a win over Radford

Rustin Ho, Waipahu — Tripled and drove in three runs in a loss to Campbell

Justin Ibara, Kalani — Batted 3 for 4 with four RBIs and a run scored in a win over Roosevelt

Bronson Ichimura, Iolani — Struck out four, walked one and allowed one earned run on five hits in seven innings pitched in a win over Punahou

Dustin Imanaka, Kailua — Batted 3 for 3 with two RBIs and three runs scored in a win over Kaimuki

Joshua Inaba, Iolani — Batted 3 for 4 with two RBIs in a win over Punahou

Ian Kahaloa, Campbell — Batted 4 for 4 with two doubles, four RBIs and a run scored in a win over Waipahu and batted 3 for 3 with a triple, double, three RBIs and two runs scored in a win over Radford

Reece Kakugawa, Kalani — Struck out 10, walked four and allowed three earned runs on six hits in seven innings pitched in a win over Roosevelt

Jaryn Kanbara, Leilehua — Hit a home run and drove in three runs in a win over Waianae

Trayson Kubo, Leilehua — Struck out 10, walked three and did not allow a hit in five scoreless innings pitched in a win over Waianae

Stephen Lee, Castle — Struck out four, walked three and allowed one run on four hits in seven innings pitched in a win over Roosevelt

Andrew Oasay, Moanalua — Doubled, walked, drove in three runs and scored once in a win over Kaimuki

Malu Peralta, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Struck out five, walked two and allowed just three hits in seven scoreless innings pitched in a win over Konawaena

Kaimana Souza-Paaluhi, Mililani — Batted 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs in a win over Radford

Randy Tabura, Moanalua — Struck out six, walked none and allowed one hit in three scoreless innings pitched in a win over Kaimuki

Kawaiola Takemura, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs in a win over Mid-Pacific

Kaliko Thomas, Maryknoll — Doubled and drove in four runs in a win over Pac-Five

Kila Thomas, Kailua — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in a win over Kaimuki

Matt Tsutsui, Hanalani — Batted 2 for 4 with a triple and three RBIs in a loss to Damien

Jarred Uyeda, Aiea — Struck out seven, walked two and allowed three hits in six scoreless innings pitched in a win over Kalaheo

Dorrien Villanueva-Hermosura, Campbell — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, three RBIs and a walk and struck out six, walked one and allowed one hit in three scoreless innings pitched in a win over Campbell

Pikai Winchester, Iolani — Batted 3 for 3 with two doubles, four RBIs, three runs scored and stole a base in a win over Punahou

BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Naone Cannon, Kamehameha — Put down nine kills and had eight digs in a win over Saint Louis

Zach Kagehiro, Moanalua — Had 19 assists and two aces in a win over KAlaheo

Austin Matautia, Moanalua — Put down a match-high 15 kills in a win over Kalaheo

Naia Singlehurst, Kalaheo — Had a team-high 12 kills in a loss to Moanalua

GIRLS WATER POLO
B. Bevacqua, Kaiser — Scored three goals in a win over Pearl City

Lisa Namatame, Kalani — Scored three goals in a win over Moanalua

GOLF
Shawn Lu, Moanalua — Shot a 9-under par 63 to win medalist honors at the OIA boys' tournament at Ala Wai Golf Course

Miki Manta, Kalani — Shot a 1-under pay 71 to win medalist honors at the OIA girls' tournament at Ala Wai Golf Course

SOFTBALL
Bailey Akimseu, Punahou — Batted 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs in a win over Maryknoll

Kaili-Ann Akimseu, Mid-Pacific — Batted 4 for 4 with a triple and an RBI in a win over Pac-Five

Marissa Allen, Mid-Pacific — Batted 2 for 2 with two home runs, three RBIs, two runs scored and two walks in a win over Pac-Five

Hope Casarez, Pearl City — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, a double, two RBIs and three runs scored in a win over Waipahu

Danielle Cervantes, Campbell — Struck out five, walked none and allowed two hits in five scoreless innings pitched in a win over Waipahu

Crystal Ching-Lake, Kaiser — Struck out three, walked none and allowed no earned runs on two hits in seven innings pitched in a win over Roosevelt

Taiana Creekmur, Saint Francis — Batted 4 for 4 with a double and three RBIs in a win over Iolani

Darrien Dacosin, Castle — Batted 3 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs in a win over Moanalua

Kamalani Dung, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, three RBIs, two runs scored and drew a walk and struck out eight, walked none, allowed two earned runs on five hits in five innings pitched in a win over Saint Francis

Alyssa Espiritu, Iolani — Allowed one run on four hits and one walk in six innings pitched in a win over Sacred Hearts and batted 3 for 5 with a double and two RBIs in a loss to Saint Francis

Elisa Favela, Campbell — Struck out eight, walked none, allowed three runs on seven hits in seven innings pitched in a win over Leilehua

Treana Garcia-Perreira, Mid-Pacific — Homered, drove in three runs and drew a walk in a win over Pac-Five

Christine Hipa, Kamehameha — Homered, drove in three runs, scored twice and walked once in a win over Saint Francis

Asia Igafo, Castle — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple and three RBIs in a win over Moanalua

S. Kamioka, Moanalua — Homered, drove in three runs and scored a run in a loss to Castle

Aubree Kim, Mililani — Struck out eight, walked three and did not allow a hit in five scoreless innings pitched in a win over Waianae

Taylyn Kimura, Pearl City — Batted 3 for 5 with two RBIs in a win over Kapolei

Nicole Lopez, Mid-Pacific — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, four RBIs, two runs scored and a walk in a win over Pac-Five

Dallas Millwood, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 2 with a home run, three RBIs and three runs scored in a win over Saint Francis

K. Nera, Kaimuki — Doubled and drove in four runs in a loss to Kailua

Sammie Ofoia, Saint Francis — Batted 3 for 3 with a home run, triple, four RBIs, three runs scored and two walks in a win over Iolani

Chardonnay Pantastico, Campbell — Drove in two runs, drew a walk and scored twice in a win over Waipahu

Merilis Rivera, Mililani — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs in a win over Waianae

Kayla Russell, Kaiser — Batted 2 for 3 with two RBIs in a win over Roosevelt

Ashley Salausa, Leilehua — Hit two home runs in a win over Waianae

Mahina Sauer, Kamehameha — Batted 3 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored in a win over Saint Francis

Kawai Scanlan, Iolani — Batted 3 for 3 with a home run, a double, five RBIs and three runs scored in a win over Sacred Hearts

Chelsea Soong, Kaiser — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple and two RBIs in a win over McKinley

Sarah Sumida, Punahou — Batted 2 for 2 with four RBIs, two runs scored and a walk in a win over Sacred Hearts

Brazzlyn Tovio-Asato, Pac-Five — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs in a loss to Mid-Pacific

Macy Uyehara, Iolani — Batted 3 for 3 with two triples, an RBI, four runs scored and drew a walk in win over Sacred Hearts

Taufau Williams, Kailua — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, two doubles, five RBIs and four runs scored in a win over Kaimuki