Central Oahu Athletes Well-represented On OIA Honor Roll
Mililani pitcher Joen Baker has been named OIA Red West Player of the Year.
Baker was among the catalysts for a Trojan team that went 16-3 overall this spring, finishing fifth in the OIA post-season tournament and sixth at the Division I state softball championships. The team began the season by winning all 12 OIA Red West contests before a loss to Kapolei in the OIA tourney.
A senior, Baker went 11-2 on the mound with a sparkling 1.18 ERA. She also batted .665 at the plate.
Baker was one of five First Team selections from Mililani, along with catcher Kacie Oshiro, Karley Macadangdang(firstbase), Jade Yadao-Valdez (third base) and Kylie-Ann Bello (outfield). The OIA’s All- Conference teams are chosen in a vote of league coaches at season’s end.
Second baseman Mari Kajiwara and shortstop Justine Fabella were named to the Second Team from the Trojans. Mililani also placed Tori-Anne Baysa, Aubree Kim and Nicole Cox as Honorable Mentions.
Trojan coach Rose Antonio was named Coach of the Year by her peers.
Leilehua had a pair of Second Team selections in outfielder Jasmyn Dangaran and utility player Kyla Larson. The Mules finished 12-8 overall this spring, including fifth at the state tournament, where they defeated Mililani in their season finale. Leilehua finished third at the OIA tournament.
In Division II, first base- man Amber Alejandro and outfielder Nicole Verdadero were selected to the First Team from Waialua, which went 6-6 overall this spring.
Receiving Honorable Mention were Kaili Agabin, Sabrina Tolentino, Michaela Chalker, Keahi Pang and Kiersten Razon.
In baseball, Mililani also was well-represented on the OIA Red West’s First Team with three picks — catcher Jamesson Madrid, second baseman Kanoa Wong and third baseman Troy Kakugawa.
The Trojans emerged as one of the state’s surprise teams at tournament time, advancing to the OIA title game as well as the Division I state championship game under head coach Mark Hirayama. Mililani won seven of its last nine games to finish 12-8 overall. Outfielder Ekolu Ramos also made the Second Team.
Pitcher Cody Academia made the First Team from Leilehua, which finished 6-12 overall this spring.
In Division II, pitcher Taleon Lele made the First Team from Waialua, which went 6-7 in the OIA White Division. The Bulldogs also had four players on the Second Team: catcher Kebi Dellatan, second base- man Mila Lele, third base- man James Onizuka and pitcher Shannon Fisher- Larue.
