Crusaders Dominate ILH All-conference Baseball Honors
The Saint Louis run to the state baseball title last month was a team effort in every way.
Not surprisingly, the Crusaders were well-represented when the ILH released its All-Conference picks recently, as six players made either the First or Second Team.
Senior Jordan Yamamoto was named ILH Division I Player of the Year. A pitcher, catcher and outfielder, Yamamoto compiled an 8-2 record, a 1.79 ERA and .324 batting average.
The team finished 18-6, posting wins over Roosevelt, Waiakea, Campbell and Mililani to take the state tournament. It had finished second to Mid-Pacific during the season.
George Gusman was voted ILH Coach of the Year for his efforts with the team, which had First Team picks in first baseman Jordan Mopas, outfielder Devan Stubblefield and designated hitter Ryder Kuhns. Teammates Jacob Gribbin and Kaikepono Anderson made the Second Team as an outfielder and a pitcher.
Earning Honorable Mention were Rayson Romero, Tanner Atiburcio, Brendon Uchima and Taylor Meilleur.
* In the OIA Red East, Kaiser’s First Team All-Conference selections were first baseman Aaron Oda, catcher Kelan Yoshioka and shortstop Michael Austin. The Cougars (13-7) finished fifth in OIA Red and sixth at states.
Kaiser’s Second Team players were pitcher Noah Sakatani and outfielder Jeshua Bitanga, while Honorable Mentions went to Shawn Miyashiro, Royce Narahara, Kamalu Simeona and Curt Clivio.
* Kalani’s First Team All-Star picks were utility player Brandon Roberts, second baseman Sean Romo and third baseman Ryan Sato. The Falcons were in the thick of the OIA Red East race at mid-season on the strength of a five-game winning streak before a slump slowed them down, finishing 7-6 overall. They also saw six players earn Honorable Mention in the East Red: Reece Kakugawa, Dallas Asuncion, Reyn Shitanishi, Ian Higa, Andrew Neves and Payton Awaya.
* In Division II, Kaimuki shortstop Austin Inouye made the OIA White Second Team, while Kevin Maligon, KB Palsis and Tyler Fujita earned Honorable Mentions. Kaimuki finished 3-9 overall this spring.
