There has never been quite a baseball scenario like this for Maryknoll.
Somehow, the Spartans continue to be effective, even in the midst of a pandemic without a field to call its own. Coach Alaka‘i Aglipay credits his players for rising above every hurdle.
“Not having a summer or fall league has been challenging for our program. So once we got the green light, reestablishing baseball back into the student-athletes’ daily routine was great to see again,” said Aglipay, who was a multi-sport standout athlete at Punahou. “Preseason has been very different from previous years. The turnaround time to get ready was very sudden.”
Maryknoll didn’t play any scrimmages or games in preseason. With sports closed for much of the academic year, Spartan players turned to other options.
“I have a number of players who ended up finding themselves jobs during the offseason, but our kids have done a great job preparing on their own, working out or hitting and throwing on their own and staying in the best shape that they can,” Aglipay said. “Getting the kids back into baseball shape has been better than expected.”
Top returnees
INF Lucas Stumbaugh, Sr.
CF Ka‘ala Tam, Sr.
LF/DH Peyton Hino, Sr.
INF/P Chase Hedani, Sr.
C/OF Noah Hata, Jr.
U Matt Miura, Jr.
INF/P Parker Grant, Jr.
Top newcomers
P Isaiah Kabua, Fr.
OF Noah Nakaoka, So.
“Lucas has been a great team leader for us. He’s very vocal and leads by example on and off the field,” Aglipay said. “HE’s always been a high energy guy that rallies his teammates together.”
Tam showed improvement since last spring.
“He put in a lot of work in the offseason. His teammates also recognize the work and he has become a reliable leader. He’s one of the guys that puts in extra work before and after practice,” Aglipay noted.
“Peyton is a quiet leader and is another person who leads by example. He is accountable for his teammates and is another guy who provides that varsity experienced to the rest of the team.”
Hedani is a long-timer.
“Chase is another guy who has been with us for three years. He’s been a leader towards the younger players and is a teammate the team can rely on,” Aglipay said.
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