Baseball

Latest news

Latest news

MPI’s Kennedy Hara designing success despite pandemic restrictions

By Paul Honda on October 7, 2020

One swing, one smack and Kennedy Hara rounded the bases in Peoria, Ariz. The Mid-Pacific infielder-pitcher had his moments of fun in the desert at the Arizona Junior Fall Classic over the weekend. None were as thrilling as his mighty swat over the left-field fence 330 feet away. “The fence was about 20, 30 feet tall. It was a fastball, middle in,” Hara said on Tuesday. Mid-Pacific coach Dunn Muramaru saw the social-media video of Hara’s tater. “He’s gotten bigger, […]

UCSB commit Cody Kashimoto enjoying Arizona Fall Classic

By Paul Honda on October 2, 2020

There will always be an ocean near Cody Kashimoto. When the Punahou shortstop committed to UC Santa Barbara in the summer of 2019, he had just completed freshman year. The campus, the coaches, the splendor of a pristine college environment was a magnificent lure. But the ocean sealed the deal. Kashimoto and his family are avid spear fishers. Now a junior, he relishes down time so he can take his board to a favorite surf spot. In 2019, he had […]

Punahou sophomore Nolan Souza commits to Arkansas

By Paul Honda on September 29, 2020

There is nearly no limit to the potential of Nolan Souza of Punahou, who committed to Arkansas over the weekend. “I feel great about it,” the Punahou sophomore shortstop said on Monday. “My parents (Brian and Kellie) are excited, too.” Souza has a 3.5 grade-point average. Punahou baseball coach Keenan Sue is supremely optimistic about his players, and that includes the 6-foot-1, 180-pound Souza. “There aren’t a many 6-3, left-handed swinging middle infielders,” Sue said on Sunday. “We’re all very […]


‘Iolani pitcher Aisea Ahokovi commits to Loyola Marymount

By Paul Honda on September 25, 2020

Another month and another pitcher from the islands has committed to Loyola Marymount. ‘Iolani pitcher Aisea Ahokovi is the second pitcher in as many months say yes to the Lions. On Aug. 1, it was Kamehameha hurler Casey Kitagawa who did the same. “I feel amazing, like all the hard work is paying off,” said Ahokovi, who has a 3.2 grade-point average. The right-hander works out regularly with Kitagawa under the watchful eyes of coach Ashkon Kuhaulua. “He’s really helped […]

Starting date for non-contact football workouts still uncertain

By Paul Honda on September 18, 2020

Football coaches across the state are asking, and there is still no definite date for the re-start of high school football practice. All they know is, there is hope if the number of new cases of COVID-19 can decrease significantly as the state implements mass testing. There are ifs aplenty across the board. If schools reopen in October, then air riflery and bowling may be able to start on schedule. The chances are “good,” Hawaii High School Athletic Association Executive […]

Rebuilt and rewarded: MPI’s Mack Higuchi commits to HPU

By Paul Honda on September 12, 2020

Roughly one year ago, Mack Higuchi was in surgery to repair his throwing arm. Higuchi recovered, rehabbed and turned his opportunity into a reward. Hawaii Pacific offered Higuchi a baseball scholarship, and he committed to the Sharks. In the fall of 2021, he will join former Mid-Pacific teammates Kyle Layugan and Shane Adams. “I feel very excited. I’m ready to play in front of our home crowd and show out,” Higuchi said. “(HPU’s coaches are) very welcoming. Very driven. Always […]

‘Iolani’s slugging pitcher Jadon Arakaki commits to Nebraska

By Paul Honda on September 2, 2020

His power was on the mound at first. Then Jadon Arakaki developed into a hitting machine. The ‘Iolani senior rode a strong summer to a scholarship offer from Nebraska. Arakaki committed to the Cornhuskers on Wednesday. “Thank you for this amazing opportunity,” Arakaki wrote on social media. “Can’t wait to be a Husker. Thank you to my family, coaches and friends for always supporting me.” The 6-foot, 175-pound left-hander batted .478 at the Hawaii Sandlot Classic in July at Hans […]

Saint Louis C/3B/P Caleb Lomavita home after 2 months on road

By Paul Honda on September 1, 2020

Caleb Lomavita thrives on a challenge. Picking a college with 32 offers on the table certainly qualifies. Lomavita committed to Cal in November of 2019. Then COVID-19 cast its shadow and ended his junior season at Saint Louis barely a week into the regular season. Since then, the versatile Lomavita has stayed busy. He loves to catch, he can pitch and play third base more than capably. Simplicity is the goal, but as always, won’t be easily achieved. Not in […]