Kalaheo took Kaua’i’s AJA championship in an undefeated season, winning all eight games in a feat of total dominance. Only one of Kalaheo’s games went the full nine innings, while the other seven went only seven innings due to the
Kalaheo took Kaua’i’s AJA championship in an undefeated season, winning all eight games in a feat of total dominance.
Only one of Kalaheo’s games went the full nine innings, while the other seven went only seven innings due to the 10 runs ruling.
Kalaheo pitcher Kaina McCallum was awesome in his seven victories and no losses, allowing few runs as decisively the best pitcher in AJA baseball.
And it was bitter sweet for Kalaheo, who finally grabbed a title after being the bridesmaid to defending champions Hanapepe the past three years.
In 45 innings, Kaina McCallum allowed 17 runs, gave up 44 hits, walked eight and strucked out 55. McCallum also contributed with his batting…. slugging a respectable .515 average (17 for 30), driving in 14 runs and cranking out two home runs.
With all these impressive pitching and batting stats, McCallum was the unanimous choice for the Most Valuable Player award.
He won this award in 1995, 1996 and in 1997.
McCallum’s batting average (.515) puts him ahead of three other players, also with two home runs apiece, to win the Home Run Trophy.
The others who did really well in lighting up the score board were: Kalaheo’s Kainoa Santos (.467), Kapa’a’s Stanley Morinaka, Jr. (.333) and Hanapepe’s Dereck Lincoln (.333)
Kalaheo batters dominated the league: Last year’s Rookie of The Year Casey Oketani batted .615 with 11 RBI and one home run; Liko Pereira – .522 (7 RBI); Troy Kaneshiro – .516 (17 RBI); Lance Higashi (12 RBI); Kainoa Santos .467 (12 RBI); Les Obatake – .454 (3 RBI); Kyle Higashi-.400 (5 RBI); Jake Oketani -.364 ; Scott Serizawa -.345 (8 RBI) and Palani “”Zoomie” Bukoski .125 (5 RBI).
Kalaheo’s Gerren Itamura was the runner-up for the Rookie of The Year with a .526 average (10 for 19). In seven games (29 innings), Itamura scored seven runs and drove in six. The outfielder also had 12 chances, with five put outs and only one error.
Kapa’a’s Ryan Silva got the most hits at 19 to win the Batting Champion Trophy with a .633 average.
Kalaheo’s Troy Kaneshiro was the best clutch hitter driving in 17 runs to win the RBI award.
Makaweli’s Issac Castillo was voted the Best Rookie for his journeyman play at shortstop. In the 7 games he played (55 innings) Castillo batted 12 for 30 for a .400 average, scored 7 runs, drove in 6 runs, hit 2 doubles, stole 5 bases, walked twice and strucked out 3 times. In fielding, he had 55 chances, was credited for 16 put outs, and committed 7 errors.
*Picture of AJA Baseball All Star Team on 2-B.