Baseball

Tyler Shimabukuro kept tinkering, kept lingering, and finally, he has emerged as a force. The Punahou junior right-hander had just two appearances on the mound in the first three weeks of ILH play. He recorded a combined three innings against Division II programs Pac-Five and Hanalani, and did not register in the win or loss column. Then came a five-inning stint against Maryknoll, allowing no runs on three hits with three strikeouts and just one walk. It was his first […]

For the first time since the preseason poll in 2011 following a seventh straight state championship, the Punahou Buffanblu baseball team is ranked in the top two in the state. Punahou (12-2 ILH), which can clinch its first back-to-back state tournament appearance since that run of state titles from 2004 to ’10 with a win over Kamehameha this afternoon at Goeas Field, jumped to No. 2 in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser Baseball Top 10 released today. The Buffanblu moved up a […]

Punahou was on its way to clinching a state tourament berth … or so it seemed. The Buffanblu jetted out to a 4-0 lead in a major ILH baseball duel Saturday and positive energy was emanating from their dugout. Over on the Saint Louis side, it was real quiet. The Crusaders left the bases loaded in the second inning and it looked like the game was going to be a dud for them. “It’s been a struggle for us all […]

Less than three years into his stint at Maryknoll, Eric Kadooka has stepped down as head baseball coach. Kadooka confirmed his resignation on Thursday night in a text to Hawaii Prep World. The school has promoted assistant coach Alaka‘i Aglipay, a former player for Kadooka at Punahou, to interim head coach. Aglipay was an All-State selection by the Honolulu Star-Bulletin (utility) his senior year in 2010. Maryknoll Athletic Director Ben Valle confirmed the news about Aglipay and Kadooka on Thursday […]

When Yukumotos and Katos are involved, look for an OIA West baseball war. A fun war. On Wednesday, it was Aiea coach Ryan Kato on one side and Leilehua shortstop Ty Yukumoto on the other. This time, Kato’s Na Alii prevailed 4-2 to avenge a loss by the same score to the Mules earlier this season. The rivalry between the Yukumotos and Katos go back to the early part of the century, when Kato would go against Leilehua coach Garett […]

The next time Landon Carter sees his grandfather, he can expect a firm handshake. Carter had the game of his life on Tuesday, firing a three-hit shutout with six strikeouts and no walks as No. 2 Punahou tamed No. 8 Mid-Pacific 4-0 at Hans L’Orange Park. Carter was consistent from the start, not allowing a baserunner until the fourth inning. The Owls had a runner on third with one out in the fifth when Kodey Shojinaga lofted a fly ball […]

At 5 feet, 10 inches, Tate Shimao looks tall for a freshman, but look for his state baseball profile to get even bigger in the next three years. Shimao, batting ninth and playing left field for No. 5 ‘Iolani on Tuesday, drove in three runs in a 17-5, six-inning, mercy-rule clubbing of No. 4 Saint Louis. But it was what coach Kurt Miyahira said to the media afterward that signaled the bright future of Shimao. “He’s only a freshman and […]

He doesn’t say a whole lot with words, but Justice Yamashita certainly knows how to figure out a problem or two. The Maryknoll senior found himself in a jam against Pac-Five on Tuesday night. After leading by five runs, the Spartans saw the Wolfpack cut the lead to two, 9-7. As usual, the right-handed ace kept his wits and kept working. Yamashita finished with four strikeouts and just one walk issued as the Spartans held on for a 10-7 win […]