KAPAA — When the Kawaihau Little League Majors all-star team leaves for the District competition in Kahaluu on Oahu Thursday, Maegan Pablo, Leilani Laranio, and Amanda Mayer will be included among the ranks of the boys who will attempt to
KAPAA — When the Kawaihau Little League Majors all-star team leaves for the District competition in Kahaluu on Oahu Thursday, Maegan Pablo, Leilani Laranio, and Amanda Mayer will be included among the ranks of the boys who will attempt to advance to the state competition later in July.
Galen Shigeta, manager for the all-star team, said “They’ve (the girls) been playing since they were nine and ten years old.”
Shigeta noted that he’ll probably start one of the three girls whose talents span the depth of the team at second base.
Should things go according to Shigeta’s anticipation, that nod at second base will go to Amanda Mayer.
Shigeta also can bank on the pitching talent of Laranio whom he describes as “being able to catch on Travis’ pitches.”
Travis Shigeta will probably be their number one pitcher going into the competition, but Shigeta said the team has good pitching depth, and Laranio will be amongst the stables, not only relying on her skills on the mounds, but also as a backup catcher.
Shigeta described Pablo as the all-around-do-everything girl.
“She can play infield, she can play outfield, she can hit, and she can run,” a good combination to have in reserve.
As the team broke up into two divisions, Shigeta noted that on one side you have the power hitters, and on the other division, the speedsters.
At this time, Shigeta was not sure how the starting rosters would shape up.
That would be finalized following the coaches meeting on Thursday on Oahu.
The District competition runs from Friday to July 10.