Kaili Agabin Evan Asato | SL

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Kalani's Ryan Sato connects with a pitch in a game against Moanalua on March 31, 2014. Evan Asato | SL

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Male Athlete of the Week: Ryan Sato, Kalani baseball
One of the hottest teams in the Oahu Interscholastic Association right now is Kalani and part of the engine that has fueled the Falcons' offense has been senior third baseman Ryan Sato.

In three games last week Sato batted 8 for 11 (.727 batting average) with four RBIs and five runs scored.

"I think it was just that he was relaxed more and just going out and playing," Kalani coach Shannon Hirai said of Sato. "Of course, all three games were good games for us and he was one of the guys that have been real consistent for us in the last three or four games."

Sato had been struggling entering last week's set of games. His batting average was down at .143 (2 of 18) before Sato busted out with a 3-for-4 effort in a 16-8 win over Moanalua last Monday. He drove in his first run two runs of the season and also came around to score three times.

"We had been waiting for it to come in a game, because we see it every day in practice, it's just that he's been in a slump up until then," Hirai said.

Two days later, Sato again batted 3 for 4 with another RBI and run scored in an 11-1 win over Kalaheo. He closed out the week by going 2 for 3, driving in a run and scoring another in an 11-6 loss to Kailua Saturday.

Sato, who bats third in the Kalani lineup and plays third base, is in his first season on the team after transferring from Iolani this year.

"I think when he transferred over, he wasn't sure if he was going to play, so getting him back into baseball shape kind of took a while for him," said Hirai, who is happy that Sato opted to don a Falcons' uniform this season. "As a seventh- and eighth-grader, he worked out with Lenn (Sakata), so his teammates knew him and a lot of them are his teammates from Little League, so they helped to encourage him to come out."

A nagging quadriceps injury has slowed down Sato all year long, according to Hirai, but he is still managed a stolen base in each of his last three games.

"He's actually faster than he's showing right now," Hirsai said. "Hopefully by next week he'll be back to full speed."

In the short time that Hirai has coached Sato, he has come to appreciate his business-like attitude.

"He hardly talks, he's very quiet and he's a very good student," Hirai said. "He's very quiet, but on the field he's very competitive and I think that he brings a different aspect to our kids to see how competitive he is coming from a different program."

Kalani has scored 71 runs, which leads the OIA Red, and allowed 38, which ranks seventh of 14 teams and fourth in the East. The Falcons had won five straight until Saturday and are third in their division.

"Offensively, the biggest thing is we're actually sticking to our hitting plan," Hirai said. "In the preseason we didn't stick to it and they were pressuring to hit he ball, but now that we're relaxed, we're executing our hitting plan a little better, but the key for us is being able to play relaxed. When we lost games, at times we started to tighten up and didn't play very well, but we're more than capable of playing with anybody if we don't put too much pressure on ourselves."

Hirai says that it's the other side of the ball that has most of his attention as the regular-season comes to a close next week.

"Right now I'm fairly comfortable with two of our pitchers, but we need to find a third or fourth for a four-day tournament like the OIAs," Hirai said. "I think a key for the playoffs will be who can peak at the right now. It's very competitive this year and I think a lot has to do with a lot of the teams being very young."

Sato and the Falcons (6-3) visit Roosevelt (5-3) Wednesday and plays Kaiser (4-4) at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park Saturday. Both games start at 3:30 p.m.

Female Athlete of the Week: Kaili Agabin, Waialua softball
Productive doesn't even come close to describing Kaili Agabin's last three games at the plate. Prolific? Perhaps, but phenomenal might be more fitting.

The Waialua senior infielder/pitcher batted 11 for 14 (.786 batting average) and scored nine runs in win overs Kalani, Kalaheo and Anuenue. She knocked eight extra-base hits — including three home runs — and drove in 14 RBIs in those games. As if that wasn't enough, Agabin batted for the cycle against the Mustangs Thursday.

"She knows she's one of our big bats and sometimes she puts all that pressure on herself," Bulldogs' coach Jay Keao said. "So, Itold her to be herself, do what you want to do, which is focus on batting first and then her position."

Agabin has a hit in all seven games she's played in this season and is hitting .667 on the year. In a win over Kalani Wednesday, she batted 3 for 5 with two triples, three RBIs and four runs scored. In her most recent game, Agabin went off by hitting two home runs, two doubles and driving in seven runs.

"All of the girls hit the ball well last week and they're peaking right about the time we need them to, especially Kaili," said Keao, who coached Waialua to the 2009 Oahu Interscholastic Association White Conference title. "She's been really good all year and really made a big improvement this year by committing a lot of offseason time to come on in her own time and get in her reps."

Keao said Agabin, who bats third in the lineup, always possessed power, but become a better hitter over the years. She started at third base as a freshman before moving to shortstop as a sophomore. Her team needed a second pitcher this season, so she took on that role, too.

"Her freshman year she had a 34-inch bat, so she's a strong girl, but we kind of had to settle her down," Keao said. "We rather have her be more consistent and make contact with the ball than one big one and no hits after that. She really put that upon herself and became more consistent."

Agabin is quiet by nature, Keao said, but should serve as a role model to her teammates.

"She's like a gentle giant — her actions speak louder than her words," Keao said. "She's nice, very smart — she has a 3.8 GPA — very confident, holds herself well, is very respectful and just loves to have fun. She's active in her class at school, she's a good leader on the field and in the classroom."

Waialua (7-2) sits in third place in the nine-team OIA White and trails first-place Nanakuli (8-0) — the reigning two-time league champ — by 1 1/2 games and second-place Aiea (7-1) by 1/2 game. The Bulldogs have lost to both teams. Their next game is at fourth-place McKinley (5-3) Saturday before concluding the regular season with home games against Kalani (1-6) and Kalaheo (5-5) next week.

"I think with our record and the wins we've been having, it's been building their confidence and preparing them mentally for the big games that are coming up, but we try not to get too ahead of ourselves and just stick with what got us here," said Keao, who noted his team's participation in preseason tournaments hosted by Mililani, Kaiser and Waimea as good prepraration for this regular and post seasons. 

"We hung right in there with the Division-I schools and I think it gave the girls confidence," Keao said. "Definitely the experience also kind of prepped them for the rest of the season."

The top four teams in the final White standings qualify for the league tournament with the two finalists securing berths in the state tournament.

BASEBALL
Matthew Anderson-Lee, Castle — Allowed one run on four hits with five strikeouts and one walk in a complete-game win over Kalaheo Saturday

Blayze Arcano-Llacuna, Campbell — Batted 3 for 3 with a walk and a run scored in a win over Campbell Monday

Landyn Bartness, Radford — Struck out four, walked one and allowed five hits in four scoreless innings pitched in a win over Kahuku Saturday

Beau Branton, Punahou — Batted 4 for 4 with three doubles and four RBIs in a loss to Saint Louis Friday

Joey Cantillo, Kailua — Struck out three in a five-inning one-hitter in a win over Castle Monday

Ricky Costa, Pac-Five West — Batted 2 for 4 with a triple, double, three RBIs and two runs scored in a loss to Damien Tuesday

Dylan Flores, Damien — Batted 3 for 3 with two RBIs and a run scored in a loss to Saint Francis Friday

Greyson Fuentes, Waipahu — Batted 2 for 3 with two doubles, four RBIs and two runs scored in a win over Mililani Wednesday

Tyler Fujimoto, Moanalua — Allowed one run on six hits with three strikeouts in a complete-game win over Kailua Wednesday

Ian Higa, Kalani — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs in a win over Kalaheo Wednesday

Joshua Inouye, Iolani — Allowed three hits in 5 1/3 scoreless innings pitched in a win over Punahou Saturday

Ian Kahaloa, Campbell — Struck out seven and walked none and allowed one run on five hits in six innings pitched in a win over Waipahu Monday

Aizon Kahana, Kapolei — Allowed one run on two hits in a complete-game win over Aiea Saturday

Dalton Kalama, Kailua — Batted 3 for 3 with a home run, double and a walk in a win over Castle Monday

Kobe Kato, Aiea — Batted 3 for 3 with three RBIs in a loss to Kapolei Wednesday

Jansen Kudaishi, Aiea — Struck out two and allowed two hits in four scoreless innings of relief in a win over Waipahu Saturday

Ryder Kuhns, Saint Louis — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, double and two RBIs in a win over Kamehameha Thursday

Tavita Lalau, Waianae — Struck out three and allowed one hit in four scoreless innings in a win over Kaimuki Friday

Leeland Lauti, Damien — Batted 3 for 5 with a double, four RBIs and two runs scored in a win over Pac-Five West Tuesday

Josh Lincoln, Nanakuli — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, two RBIs and three runs scored and also pitched three innings of relief with four strikeouts in a win over Farrington Wednesday

Keenan Lum, Kamehameha — Allowed two runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and two walks in a complete-game win over Iolani Friday

Ranan Mamiya, Saint Francis — Batted 4 for 4 with two doubles, two RBIs and four runs scored in a win over Damien Friday

Joshua Muneno, Maryknoll — Batted 3 for 3 with a triple, double, five RBIs and two runs scored in a win over Saint Francis Tuesday

Cole Nakachi, Mililani — Allowed one run on four hits with four strikeouts and one walk in six innings pitched in a win over Pearl City Saturday

Jaryn Nakamoto, Aiea — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, three RBIs, four runs scored, a walk and a stolen base in a win over Waipahu Saturday

Jason Nakamura, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored in a win over Saint Francis Tuesday

Chasetin Nash Santiago, Waianae — Batted 4 for 4 with three RBIs and two runs scored in a win over Kahuku Wednesday

Tryzen Rene Patricio, Campbell — Batted 3 for 4 with two RBIs in a win over Waipahu Monday

Kekai Rios, Kamehameha — Batted 3 for 5 with a home run, double, five RBIs and three runs scored in a win over Pac-Five Saturday

Brandon Roberts, Kalani — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple, two RBIs, three runs scored and a walk in a win over Moanalua Monday

Rayson Romero, Saint Louis — Batted 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kamehameha Thursday

Dylan Sugimoto, Waipahu — Allowed one run on four hits with seven strikeouts in a five-inning win over Mililani Wednesday

Marc Tejada, Radford — Struck out eight and walked four in a five-inning no-hitter in a win over McKinley Wednesday and batted 2 for 2 with a home run, five RBIs and two runs scored in a win over Kahuku Saturday

Justin Ushio, Maryknoll — Batted 3 for 4 with two RBIs and a run scored in a win over Damien Saturday

Dorrien Villanueva-Hermosura, Campbell — Batted 3 for 4 with two triples, one RBI and two runs scored in a win over Waipahu Monday

Dylan White, Kapolei — Batted 3 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs in a win over Aiea Wednesday

Jameson White, Kailua — Batted 3 for 3 with a triple, double, two RBIs, a stolen base and a run scored in a win over Castle Monday

Connor Zalewski, Mid-Pacific — Allowed one run on two hits with four strikeouts and one walk in a complete-game win over Pac-Five Friday

BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Brett Miller, Hawaii Baptist — Had six kills in a win over Hanalani Tuesday

Robin Ramelb, Leilehua — Had seven kills, two blocks and an ace in a win over Mililani Tuesday

Larry Tuileta, Punahou — Had eight kills in a win over Iolani Friday

GIRLS WATER POLO
Autumn Akiu, Roosevelt — Scored four goals in a win over Leilehua Wednesday

Choryn Beall, Kailua — Scored four goals in a win over McKinley Saturday

Lilia Dewilde, Waialua — Scored five goals in a win over Farrington Wednesday

Taylor Ganeko, Pearl City — Scored four goals in a win over Leilehua Saturday

Nikki Grimm, Kalaheo — Scored five goals in a loss to Castle Wednesday

Nikki Imanaka, Castle — Scored nine goals in a win over Farrington Monday

Nohea Kahaulelio, Kahuku — Scored six goals in a win over Kapolei Saturday

Erin Kanda, Castle — Scored six goals in a win over Farrington Monday and scored seven goals in a win over Kalaheo Wednesday

Rell Koizumi, Moanalua — Scored five goals in a win over Campbell Wednesday

Chanel Long, Mililani — Scored seven goals in a win over Kaiser Wednesday

Kacie Mau, Roosevelt — Scored four goals in a win over Leilehua Wednesday

Naomi Peltier, Farrington — Scored five goals in a loss to Waialua Wednesday

Amber Ramos, Farrington — Scored four goals in a loss to Castle Monday

Keaniani Roy, Moanalua — Scored four goals in a win over Campbell Monday

GOLF
Mari Nishiura, Mililani — Shot a 72 to win an OIA girls tournament at Ala Wai Golf Course Monday

John Oda, Moanalua — Shot a 66 to win an OIA boys tournament at Ala Wai Golf Course Monday

SOFTBALL
Christel Agtina, Waialua — Batted 4 for 5 with two home runs, four RBIs and three runs scored in a win over Kalani Wednesday and batted 3 for 4 with a double, RBI and three runs scored in a win over Anuenue

Seli Aholelei, Kaiser — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored in a win over Kahuku Monday

Rachel Amor, McKinley — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, four RBIs and two runs scored in a win over Anuenue Tuesday

Nashlynn Anguay, Campbell — Batted 3 for 5 with a home run, four RBIs and two runs scored in a win over Leilehua Saturday

Mahealani Calizo, Leilehua — Batted 2 for 2 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored in a loss to Campbell Saturday

Mahina Chong, Waianae — Batted 4 for 4 with a run scored in a win over Campbell Monday

Jillian Cristobal, McKinley — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, five RBIs and three runs scored in a win over Anuenue Tuesday

Kamalani Dung, Kamehameha — Struck out seven, walked three and allowed three hits in seven scoreless innings pitched in a win over Punahou Wednesday

Amayha Dycus, Kapolei — Batted 4 for 4 with an RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base in a win over Pearl City Saturday

Cyanne Fernandez, Moanalua — Struck out 10, walked one and allowed three hits in five scoreless innings pitched and batted 2 for 3 with a home run, two RBIs and a walk in a win over Roosevelt Thursday

Bailey Gongob, Kaiser — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple, two RBIs and three runs scored in a win over Kahuku Monday

Kayla Higuchi, Aiea — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, three RBIs, three runs scored and a walk in a win over Kalani Saturday

Christine Hipa, Kamehameha — Allowed two runs on six hits in a complete-game win over Maryknoll Friday

Kylie Ishimura, Kalaheo — Batted 3 for 3 with a double in a win over Anuenue Wednesday

Carly Kakuda, Kalani — Batted 5 for 5 in a win over Radford Thursday

Makea Kaluau, Sacred Hearts — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs in a win over Pac-Five Saturday

Cranci Kamaka, Waianae — Allowed one run on four hits in seven scoreless innings pitched in a win over Kapolei Thursday and allowed two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and no walks in seven innings pitched in a loss to Mililani Friday

Aubree Kim, Mililani — Struck out nine, walked three and allowed one run on two hits in a complete-game win over Waianae Friday

Chyanne Koko, Nanakuli — Allowed two runs on five hits with five strikeouts and two walks in a complete game win over McKinley Thursday

Shearyna Labasan, Maryknoll — Struck out eight and walked none in five scoreless innings pitched in a win over Sacred Hearts Wednesday

Karly Macadangdang, Mililani — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, three RBIs and two runs scored in a win over Waipahu Thursday

Rainelle Matsuoka, Kaiser — Batted 3 for 3 with a home run, three RBIs and two runs scored in a win over Kahuku Monday

Caragh Morris, Campbell — Batted 2 for 4 with two home runs, three RBIs, three runs scored and a stolen base in a win over Leilehua Saturday

Lia Nakamoto, Mid-Pacific — Batted 2 for 2 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored in a win over Iolani Wednesday

Nicole Nishizawa, Punahou — Batted 2 for 2 with a home run, double, three RBIs and a walk in a win over Saint Francis Saturday

Ateisha Norton, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple, double, RBI and two runs scored in a win over Maryknoll Friday

Keahi Pang, Waialua — Batted 3 for 5 with a home run, two doubles, six RBIs and four runs scored in a win over Kalani Wednesday and batted 2 for 5 with a triple, double, three RBIs and three runs scored in a win over Kalaheo Thursday and batted 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored in a win over Anuenue Friday

Alexis Paulo-Meyers, Nanakuli — Batted 3 for 3 with a home run, triple, five RBIs, three runs scored and a walk in a win over McKinley Thursday

Kayla Pedebone, Kapolei — Allowed one run on six hits with four strikeouts and one walk in a complete-game win over Mililani Monday and struck out nine, walked two and allowed one run on two hits in a complete-game win over Pearl City Saturday

Cameron Peterson, Pac-Five — Batted 3 for 3 with two RBIs and a run scored in a win over Saint Francis Wednesday

Nue Sivia, Waianae — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run and two runs scored in a win over Campbell Monday and batted 2 for 3 with two home runs in a win over Kapolei Thursday

Ulu Sordillia, Sacred Hearts — Batted 4 for 4 with two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored in a win over Pac-Five Saturday

Raisa Strom-Okimoto, Aiea — Struck out seven, walked none and allowed one hit in three scoreless innings pitched in a win over Kalani Saturday

Tiare Sugui, McKinley — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run, two RBIs and three runs scored in a win over Anuenue Tuesday

Nani Trias, Pac-Five — Batted 3 for 5 with two doubles, a triple, two RBIs and two runs scored in a loss to Sacred Hearts Saturday

Kristyn Uehara, Pearl City — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored in a win over Leilehua Thursday

Resela Vili, Saint Francis — Batted 3 for 4 with three RBIs in a loss to Pac-Five Wednesday

Jade Yadao-Valdez, Mililani — Batted 3 for 4 with a double and three runs scored in a win over Waipahu Thursday

Maya Yoshiura, Mililani — Batted 4 for 4 with a triple, double, two RBIs and two runs scored in a win over Waipahu Thursday

TRACK & FIELD
Percie Lyons, Kalaheo — Won the 800-, 1500- and 3000-meter runs at an OIA East track meet Saturday