Castle senior pitcher Stephen Lee and Pac-Five junior outfielder Shazzareigh Nakoa-Chung were instrumental to key wins for their respective teams last week. ScoringLive photo illustration

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Male Athlete of the Week: Stephen Lee, Castle baseball
The Castle baseball team needed to bounce back from a disheartening one-run loss against Kaiser in a strong way Wednesday and Stephen Lee provided just what the doctor ordered.

Lee, a senior right-handed pitcher, threw a complete game in a 3-2 Knights' win over Kailua in an Oahu Interscholastic Association Division I East game at the Surfriders' home field. He allowed two runs while scattering eight hits with four strikeouts and two walked.

"I have a nickname for him: bulldog," Castle fourth-year coach Rocky Fraticelli said. "It was a bulldog performance by him. He's nothing fancy, but the key point for him is he throws strikes. But again, nothing outstanding — he's got a nice little curveball and his fastball, at times, he will pinpoint it — but it's nothing out of the ordinary."

Castle took an early 1-0 lead after the top of the first inning, but Kailua scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame.

"We had the bases loaded with one out in the (top of the) first inning and then Kailua came back and scored two in that inning, but after that (Lee) shut them down," Fraticelli said. "Stephen has done that in all three games he has pitched. He tends to struggle in the first inning or so, roughly, after that he settles down and at the end of the game is when he's at his strongest point."

The Knights eventually regained the lead after scoring two runs in the top of the sixth and hanging on for the win.

"It was a key game, but all games are key for us," said Fraticelli, who noted that Lee plays shortstop when not on the mound. "The tough part about it was after Wednesday's game his arm was still tight and he wasn't ready to go (at shortstop) for Saturday's game, but the good thing about him is he's straight up. If he feels he can't go, he will let us know and he will not camouflage it and we as coaches appreciate that because they don't realize they can hurt themselves."

Lee, who is 2-1 on the season with a 1.33 ERA, has gone the distance in all three of his starts this season.

"He's been with us three years after playing his freshman year for Kalaheo, so in reality this is his fourth year of varsity ball," Fraticelli said. "It's really shown that he's worked hard during the offseason. He's very capable and we're counting on Stephen and he's somewhat taken over as the staff leader. I think the different is Stephen has come in, with this being his senior year, with a positive attitude and a good work ethic."

The 6-foot-1 Lee, who played quarterback on the Castle football team, is one of eight seniors on the team and amongst those Fraticelli is counting on to provide leadership.

"Stephen is a quiet guy, but he goes out there and he takes care of his own business," Fraticelli said. "You don't have to tell Stephen what to you, he does it on his own. He understands that and he takes care of his business well."

Lee and the Knights (3-4) play Moanalua Wednesday night at Hans L'Orange Park. First pitch is set for 6:30.

Female Athlete of the Week: Shazzareigh Nakoa-Chun, Pac-Five softball
Shazzareigh Nakoa-Chun is a big part of the reason the Pac-Five softball team has hit a hot streak as of late.

The 5-foot-1 junior rightfielder is sporting a healthy .667 batting average with six hits and five RBIs on the season.

"She's a valuable player to us. When she's healthy and out there, she's a valuable contributor," Wolf Pack coach Cecil Hasegawa said of Nakoa-Chun, who suffered a shoulder injury in a preseason practice. "She's still not in full form yet — because of the injury she couldn't participate all out — but she is medically cleared. Medically cleared is one thing, but she had to get her confidence back being out so long."

It seems that Nakoa-Chun is well on her way back to her old self. In a 9-6 win over Saint Francis Monday, she batted 2 for 3 with a triple, two RBIs and scored a run. She also batted 2 for 3 with a home run, a stripe and two RBIs in a 4-2 win over Iolani Saturday.

"She wasn't playing a position because of the injury early in the year and she was kind of floating in the hitting order, but now she's back playing the outfield and she's our No. 5 hitter and she's hitting the ball well, so it's nice to see her coming to form," Hasegawa said. "The shoulder injury slowed her down for a while and she slowly worked her way back from that, but it must be getting better if she's swinging the bat this well."

Hasegawa said Nakoa-Chun, who is a third-year starter for the Wolf Pack, has worked diligently to improve her hitting.

"She's more of a power-type hitter, but we've been trying to work on is her becoming a more complete hitter and being able to hit the two-strike pitch if she needs to," Hasegawa said. "Her swing, early part, was kind of hart and she was always trying to go for the fence, but we've been working on it to bring it down to make solid contact and make her more disciplined. I told her the home runs will come when she's not even going for it and that's what happened against Iolani; she said she didn't feel anything when she hit that ball."

Nakoa-Chun was the first player on Hasegawa's team from Damien, when the school went to co-ed three years ago. Since then, four others from the Kalihi school have joined the team.

"She's a very likably person," Hasegawa said. "She's really happy, she's very energetic. She's like a light bulb: she pops on and she's pretty much the same off the field as she is on the field."

Pac-Five, one of three Division II teams in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu, has now won its last three games since dropped its first four to start the season.

"Right now we've just got to refine our game a little and try to get people to play a little bit better in a way," Hasegawa said. "We're still making mistakes that we shouldn't make, but you've got to hit to win and Shazz is coming along now and that's starting to help us. Hopefully she can ride it out all the way to the end of the year and if things get lucky for us, we can continue onto postseason play."

Nakoa-Chun and the Wolf Pack visit top-ranked Kamehameha at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday and take on fifth-ranked Maryknoll 10 a.m. Saturday at Sand Island.

BASEBALL
Ryllen Abeshima, Hanalani — Struck out four batters, walked three and allowed two (unearned) runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings pitched in a win over Damien

Kahoea Akau, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 5 with three RBIs and two runs scored in a win over Iolani

Jaisten Cabatbat, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Batted 4 for 4 with a triple, RBI and two runs scored in a win over Keaau

Cole Cabrera, Punahou — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple, three RBIs and a run scored in a win over Saint Louis

Kody Cacal, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 4 with an RBI, walk and four runs scored in a win over Punahou

Kobi Candaroma, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Struck out six batters, walked four and allowed two hits in 5 1/3 scoreless innings pitched and batted 3 for 4 with three runs scored in a win over Keaau

Tennison Cantrell, Kalaheo — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, three RBIs, a walk and a run scored in a loss to Kapolei

Alfred Catimon, Kalaheo — Struck out nine batters in a five-inning perfect game in a win over McKinley

Micah Chinen, Mililani — Struck out three batters, walked none and allowed one run on three hits in five innings pitched in a win over Campbell

Kyle Coloyan, McKinley — Batted 2 for 3 with a double and four RBIs in a loss to Nanakuli

Grant Doi, Mid-Pacific — Struck out five batters, walked two and allowed one run on seven hits in seven innings pitched in a win over Kamehameha

Koa Eastlack, Mililani — Struck out eight batters, walked one and allowed three hits in four scoreless innings pitched in a win over Radford

Aaron Emoto, Roosevelt — Batted 2 for 3 with two doubles, three RBIs and a run scored and struck out six batters, walked one and allowed five (unearned) runs on seven hits in seven innings pitched in a win over Moanalua

Shannon Fermahin, Aiea — Batted 3 for 3 with two triples, a double, RBI, walk and four runs scored in a win over Nanakuli

Shelton Grace, Konawaena — Batted 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored in a win over Hawaii Prep

Brandon Henderson, Kamehameha — Batted 3 for 5 with a triple, double, six RBIs and a run scored in a win over Punahou

Dorrien Hermosura-Villanueva, Campbell — Struck out eight batters, walked one and allowed two hits in four scoreless innings pitched in a win over Waipahu

Dustin Imanaka, Kailua — Batted 3 for 4 with a run scored in a loss to Castle

Ian Kahaloa, Campbell — Struck out 14 batters, walked one and allowed one (unearned) run on five hits in seven innings pitched and batted 3 for 4 in a loss to Mililani

Reece Kakugawa, Kalani — Struck out three batters, walked two and allowed one (unearned) run on six hits in seven innings pitched in a win over Castle

Kaeo Kalaaukahi-Castaneda, Damien — Batted 2 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored in a loss to Saint Francis

Dalton Kalama, Kailua — Batted 4 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in a win over Kaiser

Dane Kaneshiro, Pearl City — Struck out nine batters, walked one and allowed two runs on five hits in six innings pitched in a win over Waipahu

Ryan Kono, Mililani — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple, double, four RBIs and a run scored in a win over Radford

Trayson Kubo, Leilehua — Struck out 12 batters, walked two and allowed one (unearned) run on one hit in seven innings pitched and tripled with three RBIs in a win over Waianae

Janson Kupau, Saint Francis — Batted 3 for 4 with two RBIs and three runs scored in a win over Pac-Five

Kaliu Lapera, Kalaheo — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored in a win over McKinley

Stephen Lee, Castle — Struck out four batters, walked two and allowed two runs on eight hits in seven innings pitched in a win over Kailua

Kalei Machado, Kailua — Batted 3 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored in a win over Kaiser

Jordan Macias, Kapolei — Batted 4 for 5 with three runs scored in a win over Farrington

Jacob Maekawa, Mid-Pacific — Batted 3 for 5 with a triple and two RBIs and struck out three batters, walked two and did not allow a hit in four scoreless relief innings pitched in a win over Saint Louis

Matt Mastsuda, Pac-Five — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, three RBIs and a two runs scored in a loss to Saint Francis

Tyler Mondina, Waiakea — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run, six RBIs and a three runs scored in a win over Konawaena

Justice Nakagawa, Mililani — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs in a win over Radford

Jason Nakamura, Maryknoll — Batted 3 for 5 with a double, four RBIs and a run scored in a win over Pac-Five and batted 2 for 2 with two doubles, two RBIs, three walks and three runs scored in a win over Damien

Scott Nishioka, Punahou — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, two RBIs and walked twice in a win over Saint Louis

Codie Paiva, Kamehameha — Struck out four batters, walked two and allowed two hits over five scoreless innings pitched in a win over Iolani

Micah Peters-Valdez, Aiea — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, three RBIs, a walk and two runs scored in a win over Nanakuli

Ian Phillips, Saint Francis — Batted 3 for 3 with two RBIs and a run scored in a win over Damien

Dayne Ramos, Pac-Five — Struck out 11 batters, walked two and allowed one run on three hits in five innings pitched in a win over Hanalani

Owen Saito, Pac-Five — Batted 3 for 5 with a triple, four RBIs and three runs scored in a win over Hanalani

Jonah Sasahara, Roosevelt — Struck out five batters, walked one and allowed one hit in five scoreless innings pitched in a win over Kaimuki

Adam Tanoue, Moanalua — Batted 2 for 2 with three RBIs and a walk in a win over Kalani

Royce Tashiro, Waialua — Batted 4 for 5 with two home runs, a double, four RBIs and four runs scored in a win over McKinley

Royce Torres, Saint Francis — Batted 4 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored in a win over Damien

Baron Victorino, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Batted 3 for 3 with a triple, double, three RBIs and a run scored in a win over Hawaii Prep

Michael Viola, Punahou — Struck out three batters, walked three and allowed two runs on four hits in seven innings pitched in a win over Iolani

Ryley Widell, King Kekaulike — Struck out seven batters, walked one and allowed one run on four hits in seven innings pitched in a win over Lahainaluna

Skyler Yamamoto, Moanalua — Struck out three batters, walked none and allowed three hits over 3 2/3 scoreless relief innings pitched in a win over Kalani

Jarred Yara, Saint Francis — Batted 2 for 3 with two RBIs, a walk and two runs scored in a win over Hanalani

Matt Yokota, Kamehameha — Batted 4 for 5 with a double, two RBIs and three runs scored in a win over Punahou

BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Bhrycen Asuncion, Kalani — Had 12 kills in a win over Kailua

Avery Enriques, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Had seven kills, eight digs and 11 assists in a win over Punahou II

Micah Maa, Punahou — Had 12 kills with eight digs in a win over Moanalua

Austin Matautia, Moanalua — Had 16 kills in a win over La Jolla (San Diego)

Larson Tuileta, Kalani — Had 24 assists in a win over Kailua

GIRLS WATER POLO
Ginny Gustafson, Mililani — Scored four goals in a loss to Leilehua

Lilli Lindgard, Kahuku — Scored five goals in a win over Waialua

Dana Okuma, Leilehua — Scored four goals in a win over Mililani

Naomi Peltier, Farrington — Scored four goals in a loss to Kalaheo

GOLF
Caleb Keohokapu, Kailua — Shot an even-par 72 to finish tied for first at the OIA boys' tournament at Olomana Golf Course

Malia Nam, Kaiser — Shot a one-over par 73 to win the OIA girls' tournament at Olomana Golf Course

Nickolas Nelson, Moanalua — Shot an even-par 72 to finish tied for first at the OIA boys' tournament at Olomana Golf Course

SOFTBALL
Jocelyn Alo, Kahuku — Batted 4 for 5 with two home runs, three RBIs and three runs scored in a loss to Farrington

Kylie-Ann Bello, Mililani — Batted 2 for 3 with two doubles, a walk and three runs scored in a win over Leilehua

Alisha Candelario, Pac-Five — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored in a win over Saint Francis

Kylie Carganilla, Farrington — Batted 2 for 5 with three RBIs and three runs scored in a win over Kahuku

Danielle Cervantes, Campbell — Struck out five batters, walked three and allowed one run on seven hits in six innings pitched in a win over Kapolei

Tristan Cozo, Mililani — Batted 3 for 4 with two RBIs in a win over Leilehua

Kai Hasegawa, Kaiser — Batted 3 for 4 with a run scored in a win over Moanalua

Nohea Hee, Maryknoll — Batted 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored in a win over Sacred Hearts

Christine Hipa, Kamehameha — Batted 3 for 3 with a home run, triple, three RBIs, a walk and a run scored in a win over Iolani

Tyanna Kaaialii, Pearl City — Struck out eight batters, walked four, allowed one (unearned) run on five hits in seven innings pitched in a win over Leilehua

Makamae Kaleikini, Moanalua — Batted 3 for 4 with two home runs, five RBIs and three runs scored in a win over McKinley

Natalie Kang, Pearl City — Hit a home run, drove in four runs and drew a walk in a win over Leilehua

Sadie Kapaku-You, Kapolei — Struck out two batters, walked one, allowed three runs (one unearned) on seven hits in seven innings pitched in a win over Waipahu

Aubree Kim, Mililani — Struck out eight batters, walked five and allowed four hits in seven scoreless innings pitched in a win over Leilehua

Shearyna Labasan, Maryknoll — Struck out eight batters, walked one and allowed three hits over six scoreless innings pitched and batted 2 for 3 with a double, walk and two runs scored in a win over Saint Francis and struck out 10 batters, walked one and allowed two (unearned) runs on two hits in five innings pitched and hit a solo homer in a win over Sacred Hearts

Dallas Millwood, Kamehameha — Batted 3 for 3 with two doubles, two RBIs, a walk and three runs scored in a win over Iolani

Jordan Millwood, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs in a win over Mid-Pacific

Shazzareigh Nakoa-Chun, Pac-Five — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple, two RBIs and a run scored in a win over Saint Francis and batted 2 for 3 with a home run, triple and two RBIs in a win over Iolani

Nicole Nishizawa, Punahou — Struck out eight batters, walked three and allowed two hits over six scoreless innings pitched in a win over Mid-Pacific

Shannon Pascua-Stanton, Mililani — Batted 3 for 3 with a double and an RBI in a win over Campbell

Laugatasaia Pedebone, Kapolei — Batted 3 for 3 with a double, two RBIs and a walk in a win over Waipahu

Merilis Rivera, Mililani — Drove in the winning run in a win over Campbell and batted 2 for 3 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored in a win over Leilehua

Lauryn Tachino, Punahou — Batted 2 for 2 with a triple, two RBIs and two runs scored in a win over Mid-Pacific

Taylor Takushi, Moanalua — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, two RBIs and two runs scored in a loss to Kaiser and batted 3 for 3 with a double, two RBIs, two stolen bases and three runs scored in a win over McKinley

Kiana Telles, Campbell — Batted 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs scored in a win over Kapolei

Jazmayne Williams, Farrington — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, three RBIs and three runs scored in a win over Kahuku

Krystin Wong, Punahou — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored in a win over Mid-Pacific

Megan Yoshioka, Pac-Five — Allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings pitched in a win over Iolani