Top Performers
Damien's Donahue, Pearl City's Kaaialii lead weekly standouts




Male Athlete of the Week: Jordan Donahue, Damien baseball
Jordan Donahue is well-accustomed to being the young kid of the bunch. The Damien shortstop's hot start to his freshman season proves that to be true.

Donahue turned in his best game-to-date in the Monarch's come-from-behind 12-7 win over PAC-5 at Ala Wai Field last Tuesday, when he batted 2 for 3 at the plate with a double, triple, three RBI and three runs scored.

"He had a good game that day," said Damien coach Timo Donahue, Jordan's father. "We had Jordan lead off the first two games because our leadoff man was on a trip, so when he came back we put Jordan back in the No. 2 spot. I think he's handled himself well. I was happy for him because we were putting in a lot of work. We worked all fall to get him ready for this upcoming season. So far it's paying off."

Jordan, who bats left and throws right, got on with a walk in his first plate appearance when he took ball four on a 3-2 pitch. He eventually came around to score the second run of the inning to give the Monarchs a 2-0 lead after one.

PAC-5 got a run back in the fourth inning before storming ahead with a five-spot in the fifth to lead 6-2.

However, the Monarchs wasted little time in answering. They sent 13 batters to the plate and scored 10 runs on six hits — including four extra-base hits — to take the lead for good.

Donahue scored the first run of the inning. He doubled to left center on an 0-1 pitch and scored two pitches later on Kaimana Cameron's single up the middle to pull Damien within 6-3.

After Pomai Kim singled to put two runners aboard, Jayden Cabbab belted a three-run home run to tie it up.

Donahue eventually got another at bat in the inning and drove a ball over the head of the Wolfpack centerfielder for a bases-clearing triple that stretched his team's lead to 12-6.

"He's one of a few guys we have that usually have good at bats and have plate discipline to swing at good pitches and let pitches out of the zone go," Timo said.

While Jordan has been right at home at the plate — where he sports a healthy .333 batting average and ranks second in D2 statewide in runs scored (nine) — getting comfortable at shortstop has been a work in progress.

"He pretty much takes the approach that he's the young guy on the team, but because of his position he is required to take charge — regardless of his youth," Timo said. "I'm trying to get him to be more vocal — and that will come as the years go on and he gets older and older — but he's got to take command of the infield and I think he's starting to understand that, even though he's got all older guys around him."

Jordan, whose older brother Christian, an Iolani graduate, is a starting outfield at Oregon State, has reached base safely in all four games this season.

"I think a lot of guys — because he's younger — don't expect much from him, but he's always played against older guys growing up," Timo said. "When his brother comes home they work out pretty much every day and they talk all the time and text back and forth after games, so the good part for Jordan is he gets non-stop coaching."

Timo, who managed Christian and the Waipio All-Stars to the Little League World Series crown in 2008, said he tries to separate his coach-player relationship from his father-son one.

"When we're at practice or at games he's just another player, and when we're at home we have that interaction and we walk about it, but it's not that hard to coach him and I don't think it's hard for him either because both of my kids have played for me since they started. I was always their coach," Timo said. "And he takes it well. If I get on him it's not like it's the end of the world. Basically, he probably expects more of himself than I do."

Damien (3-1) has now won three in a row to pull within a game of first-place Saint Francis (4-0).

"In the three years that I've been here this is the best team that we've had," Timo Donahue said. "The guys that were freshmen are now juniors, the sophomores are now seniors and they're starting to understand what we were trying to teach them from the beginning. They've made huge strides in their progresss as players as well. We had a good preseason where we played almost all D1 teams and I think that helps us. If think if the kids put it together it could be a special year for us."

Jordan, who celebrated his 16th birthday Tuesday, and the Monarchs will look to extend their win streak when they take on PAC-5 at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park.

Female Athlete of the Week: Tyanna Kaaialii, Pearl City softball
In her first outing of the young season, Tyanna "Peanut Butter" Kaaialii delivered a lights out performance.

The Pearl City senior pitcher was simply overpowering in last Tuesday's 10-0 six-inning win over Nanakuli at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park. Kaaialii got the complete-game win, limiting the Golden Hawks to just three hits and three walks while fanning nine batters.

"I think that might have been one of her better outings that I've been a part of so far," Chargers coach Chad Obara said. "We had a game plan and she executed the game plan, and that's not always the case, but that night she was hitting the spots that I was calling so she executed well that night."

Kaaialii — who got her nickname as a youngster because of her love for peanut butter — is in her third varsity season.

As a sophomore she logged 52 2/3 innings with a 7-2 record and 2.40 ERA. She allowed 25 runs on 38 hits with 60 strikeouts to 40 walks. Last year Kaaialii pitched 88 2/3 innings and went 6-9 with a save and a 3.16 ERA. She gave up 54 runs on 63 hits with 94 strikeouts to 32 walks.

"It's been a three-year process and we've been working on her mentally — and even mechanically her dad puts a lot of work in with her — but the mental part is where we've really tried to work on," Obara said. "I think in the past the mental side has affected her mechanics side, but so far this season I think the mental side is helping her to be a little more consistent mechanically.

"She's been way more consistent as far as velocity and accuracy this year. I think she has that understanding now that if she wants to really help this team and take it to the next level then she's got to be that good," Obara said. "She seems to be taking to it and she's putting in the work."

Kaaialii's impact wasn't just limited to her work in the pitching circle. She went 3 for 3 at the plate and belted a first-inning solo home run in her first at bat.

The Chargers' middle of the lineup — center fielder and clean-up hitter Noel Saunders, catcher and fifth batter Hailey-Alexis Yamaguchi and Kaaialii — combined for three home runs and seven RBI against Nanakuli.

"I've been hard on those four through six spots because the past two years those spots haven't been cashing in on too much for us, but hopefully this year will be a little different," Obara said. "They've been doing well so far. We're not asking them to hit for power. We're just asking them to make good contact."

Kaaialii went the distance Tuesday in a 5-4 nine-inning win over Leilehua. She walked five batters, but struck out three and scattered nine hits to earn the victory and go to 2-0 on the season. Kaaialii also singled, drew a walk and drove in a pair of runs in the win.

"She really kept her composure again and it was another step in the right direction and she's getting a little more tough as far as keeping her emotions under control," Obara said. "In the past her tendency was to try to do more than she's capable of doing, but so far she's done a good job of staying within herself in the circle and it's been good to see some control at the plate as well. Hopefully she can keep it up the whole year."

Obara added that Kaaialii stands to benefit from having Yamaguchi, a junior, behind the plate as her batterymate for a second straight season.

"Yama's demeanor and attitude helps PB a lot and I'm pretty sure if you were to ask her, she would give Yama a lot of the credit, too." Obara said. "She does a good job receiving the ball and giving PB the control to throw whatever and she'll take care of the ball."

Obara, whose daughters Darian and Cheyne make up the Chargers' starting middle infield, is optimistic about this season's outlook after a fourth-place finish in the Division I state tournament last year.

"In my first year we made it to the state quarterfinals, last year we made it to the semifinals, and this year the goal is to take it all," Obara said. "That's been the goal for the past two years, too, but this bunch of girls do everything that we ask them to do as far as getting themselves ready. This team seems a little more cohesive and hopefully that was the missing piece that we needed to get us to the next level, but so far, so good."

Kaaialii and the Chargers (2-0), who are ranked third in this week's ScoringLive/Hawaiian Electric Power Rankings, will visit fifth-ranked Kapolei (1-1) Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Hurricanes' field.


BASEBALL
Dan Ahuna, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Batted 2 for 2 with a double, four RBI and a run scored in a win over Kohala

Kaleo Akiona, Waianae — Struck out nine, walked two and allowed four hits in five scoreless innings pitched in a win over Waialua

Kolu Alani, Konawaena — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, walk, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Honokaa

Braiden Ayala, Waianae — Batted 3 for 3 with three RBI and a run scored in a win over Waialua

Boaz Ayers, Konawaena — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored

Mikito Barkman, Maui — Struck out six and allowed two runs on seven hits in six innings pitched in a win over King Kekaulike

Joey Cantillo, Kailua — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kalaheo and batted 2 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored in a loss to Castle

Keola Chun, Castle — Tripled, drew a walk, drove in three runs and scored a run in a win over Kailua

Kaika Cordero, Leilehua — Batted 2 for 4 with an RBI and three runs scored in a win over Pearl City

Jensen Dangaran, Leilehua — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, walk and three RBI in a win over Pearl City

Tristan DeAguiar, Konawaena — Struck out four, walked none and allowed one hit in a complete-game shutout of Hawaii Prep

Jack Dillon, Radford — Struck out eight, walked one and allowed one run on one hit in six innings pitched in a win over Kahuku

Austin Ewing, Konawaena — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple and two RBI in  a win over Keaau

Kapena Hoopai, Seabury Hall — Batted 2 for 4 with two RBI in a win over Lanai

Jonah Hurney, Hawaii Prep — Batted 3 for 5 with a double, three RBI and two runs scored and struck out eight, walked four and allowed one hit in four scoreless innings pitched in a win over Kohala

Cody Isa, Moanalua — Batted 2 for 4 with two doubles and an RBI in a loss to Kaiser

Hiram Kaikana IV, Roosevelt — Struck out eight, walked one and allowed one run on six hits in six innings pitched in a win over Kaiser

Jamin Kalaola, Campbell — Struck out three, walked one, allowed four hits in six scoreless innings pitched and drove in a run in a win over Kapolei

Shane Kalawaia, Kailua — Struck out three, walked one and did not allow a hit in five scoreless innings pitched in a win over Kalaheo

Kao Mindoro, Maui — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, triple and three RBI in a win over King Kekaulike

Brandon Miyasato, PAC-5 — Batted 2 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored in a loss to Damien

Reece Mondina, Waiakea — Batted 2 for 2 with a double, four RBI and a run scored in a win over Pahoa

Antonio Omphroy, Kaiser — Drove in three runs in a win over Moanalua

Cameron Oshiro, Roosevelt — Batted 2 for 3 with two RBI and a run scored in a win over Kaiser

Caden Perreira, Honokaa — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run, double, two RBI and two runs scored in a loss to Konawaena

Finn Richmond, Hawaii Prep — Batted 2 for 4 with two doubles, four RBI and a run scored in a win over Kohala and batted 3 for 4 with two doubles, four RBI and three runs scored in a win over Pahoa

Kohl Suehiro, Kalani — Batted 2 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kalaheo

Jared Tamashiro, Roosevelt — Batted 2 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kaiser

Keith Torres, Saint Louis — Batted 2 for 4 with a triple and two RBI in a loss to Mid-Pacific

Taiyo Uchida, Kalani — Batted 2 for 2 with a triple, three RBI and a run scored in a win over Kalaheo

Khaden Victorino, Waiakea — Batted 3 for 3 with a double, four RBI and a run scored in a win over Kealakehe

Vohn Yamaguchi, Konawaena — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Honokaa

Jacob Yoshino, Mid-Pacific — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in a win over Saint Louis

Jamin Young, Kaimuki — Batted 3 for 5 with two RBI and two runs scored in a win over McKinley

Wyatt Young, Mid-Pacific — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, two RBI and three runs scored in a win over Saint Louis


BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Matt Feldmeyer, Christian Liberty — Had 22 digs and five aces in a five-set win over Pahoa

Zack Suffern, Christian Liberty — Had 22 kills, 21 digs and four block assists in a five-set win over Pahoa


GIRLS WATER POLO
Taylor Brooks, Roosevelt — Scored four goals in a win over Kalaheo and scored five goals in a win over Kalani

Zoe Campora, Kalaheo — Scored four goals in a win over Kailua and scored four goals in a win over Waipahu

Ava Countryman, Kahuku — Scored six goals in a win over Leilehua

April Gomes, Roosevelt — Scored five goals in a win over Campbell and scored four goals in a win over Kalani

Isabelle Horio, Punahou II — Scored four goals in a win over Kamehameha II

Shannon Foster, Waialua — Scored seven goals in a win over Pearl City

Charity Lopes, Kalani — Scored five goals in a loss to Roosevelt

Nicolle Martinez, Leilehua — Scored five goals in a win over McKinley

Annika Slattery, Kapolei — Scored four goals in a win over Mililani

Izzy Walker, Kahuku — Scored five goals in a win over Waialua

Mailani Wendt, Kapolei — Scored five goals in a win over Mililani and scored five goals in a win over Campbell

Sophie Wilson, Kahuku — Scored four goals in a win over Leilehua


SOFTBALL
Racquel Abero, Farrington — Batted 3 for 3 with a walk and a run scored in a loss to Kalaheo

Leila Anoina, Iolani — Batted 2 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored in a win over PAC-5

Dacyleen Amond, Kaimuki — Batted 3 for 4 with two doubles, a walk, two RBI, a run scored and struck out 14 with four walked and one run allowed on one hit in six innings pitched in a win over Waialua

Taylor Asio, Lahainaluna — Struck out six, walked two and allowed one run on three hits in a complete-game win over Baldwin

Skyla Bain, Kalaheo — Batted 2 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Farrington

Kailyn Barrett, Iolani — Batted 2 for 2 with a walk, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over PAC-5

Cira Bartolotti, Maui — Homered and struck out 12 in a complete-game win over King Kekaulike

Kaila Burnett, Nanakuli — Batted 3 for 4 with a run scored in a loss to Mililani

Danielle Cervantes, Campbell — Struck out seven and walked one in a five-inning no-hit shut out win over Kapolei

Dyani Cummings-Lani, Kailua — Struck out three, walked two and allowed one run on three hits in seven innings pitched in a win over Roosevelt

Cieana Curran, Campbell — Batted 3 for 3 with a home run, triple, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kapolei

Shaylann Grace, Konawaena — Walked twice, drove in two runs, scored twice and pitched two scoreless innings of relief in a win over Hawaii Prep and struck out six, walked one and allowed two runs on three hits in five innings pitched in a win over Honokaa

Nawai Kaupe, Maui — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, double and five RBI in a win over King Kekaulike

Rayla Jacobs-Kea, Kamehameha — Struck out three, walked two and allowed two runs on five hits in seven innings pitched in a win over Saint Francis

Mikayla Kekoa, Kohala — Batted 4 for 4 with a home run, double, six RBI, three runs scored and pitched a scoreless inning of relief in a win over Honokaa

Patricia Marcus, Hilo — Batted 2 for 3 with a walk, two RBI and three runs scored in a win over Honokaa

Kelia Miller, Farrington — Batted 3 for 4 with two RBI and three runs scored in a loss to Kalaheo

Dallas Millwood, Kamehameha — Batted 3 for 5 with a double, four RBI and a run scored in a win over Saint Francis

Kaylee Nakamura, Waianae — Batted 3 for 3 in a loss to Leilehua

Alicia Nawatani-Dias, Kalaheo — Batted 2 for 4 with three RBI and a run scored in a win over Farrington

Kaena Nistal, Leilehua — Batted 3 for 3 with two RBI and struck out five, walked two and allowed two hits in five scoreless innings pitched in a win over Waianae

Moana Pinner, Hilo — Batted 3 for 3 with a walk, three RBI and a run scored in a win over Honokaa

D'Asha Saiki, Punahou — Batted 2 for 3 with two doubles, a walk, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Maryknoll

Alo Salausa, Leilehua — Batted 2 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored in a win over Waianae

Noel Saunders, Pearl City — Homered and drove in four runs in a win over Nanakuli



Reach Kalani Takase at [email protected].




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