On this day in 1992, Kalaheo’s Alika Smith expanded his range to 60 feet, 6 inches.
Smith, who was deadly from 3-point range as a basketball player, took the mound and beat Mililani 1-0 in the OIA playoffs with five strikeouts on 81 pitches in the complete game. Smith also helped produce the Mustangs’ only run with a line drive single to center before Tim Darra hit a sacrifice fly.
Cory Nakashima had both of Mililani’s hits and Todd Kimura was the hard-luck loser.
Rival Kailua went on the win the OIA. Kalaheo made the state tournament and Smith was roughed up by Kamehameha 10-2 in the first round at Rainbow Stadium. Smith gave up all 10 runs but had nine strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. It was the first time all season the sophomore gave up an earned run. He atoned for it by shutting out Baldwin in the 1994 state tournament and led the Mustangs to the title game, where he lost to Castle 5-4.
Smith pledged allegiance to UH a week later after basketball coach Riley Wallace and baseball coach Les Murakami told him he will get a chance to play both sports.
COMMENTS