The Kaua’i High School Red Raiders (9-4), coming off an 8-7 win over Waimea High School for the KIF champtionship on Saturday, will be winging to the Iron Maehara Stadium on Tuesday to make their bid for the Hawai’i High
The Kaua’i High School Red Raiders (9-4), coming off an 8-7 win over Waimea High School for the KIF champtionship on Saturday, will be winging to the Iron Maehara Stadium on Tuesday to make their bid for the Hawai’i High School Athletic Association state title as they open up against Kalaheo High School (7-7) on Wednesday, May 14 starting at 2 p.m.
Should their opening bid prove successful, the Raiders will advance to take on top seeded Kamehameha (16-3) on Thursday, May 15 starting at 4:30 p.m.
A loss on their opening bid will have them matching up against the loser of the Maui (17-4)/Aiea (12-1) contest.
OIA champion Kailua (12-1) holds the second seed with MIL Champion Baldwin (17-3) filling in the third seed. BIIF champion Waiakea (12-0) is the tourney’s fourth seed.
With Jerrick Amaki the only senior on the travelling Red Raider Roster, the young Kaua’i team features eight juniors, six sophomores, and five freshmen under the direction of Hank Ibia.
Ibia is also aspiring to capture the state title in his first year as the head coach for the Red Raiders.
The Raiders enter the arena with a nice compliment of pitchers including Alec Reichle who picked up the championship win on Saturday. Also on the pitching staff is Kirby Yates with Jake Oketani also showing his hurling ability during the 2003 season. Outfielder Shawn Ogata has been called upon to close several Raider games.
Jake Oketani’s RBI double in the first inning of their Saturday championship proves the Raiders can also hit the ball. Garen Itamura moved Ogata around the bases with three bunt singles.
Team members include Kekoa Crowell, Kirby Yates, Kalama Matsushima, Cody Bonilla, Dustin Pagador, Alec Reichle, Travis Fontanilla, Garen Itamura, Kyle Kaili, Stanton Yoshimori, Aaron Adachi, Kelsey Furuike, Amaki, Titus Hori, Shawn Ogata, Jake Oketani, Shannon Oketani, Sam Dias, Daryl Higashi, and Jett Jasper.
Ibia’s coaching staff includes Reynard Ellis, John Gebauer, Lance Higashi, and Aaron Uyeda.
