Reflections of the Lāna‘i Pinelass Softball Team
by Graziella Reese
Top Row Left-Right: Jennifer Agcaoili, Malia George, Rylee Sanches, Katelyn Bello, Graziella Reese, Trinity Simon, Leihiwa Siliga, Queen Edwin Bottom Row Left-Right: Arianne Cabico, Veniza Jackson, Alanna Manuel, Abigail Manuel, Myah Doolin, Vanessa Kahanui Peralta, Eliasha Romero
This season for the Lāna‘i Pinelasses softball team was a good season to remember. During my first year as a freshman on the team, I learned a lot and experienced new things. I am one of the 3rd basemen on the team, and after trying out softball for the first time, I definitely can’t wait to play again next season.
This softball season ran from March-May, and the team won six games and lost three. For the past two years, the Lāna‘i Pinelasses have been back-to-back MIL champions but didn’t get the title this year. Overall, they played hard this season and put up a good fight. Previously, the team had Keala Montgomery as the sole pitcher. She graduated from Lāna‘i High & Elementary School last year and now attends Kenyan College in Ohio.
Assistant coach Keo Sanches shared, “We had a bunch of first-time pitchers, which is always a challenge because pitching is so important to the game. Just having that we didn’t have experienced pitchers. That was a challenge in itself. Just not having the same group that was there last year, made us have to build a new team again, that’s a challenge. I think for Lāna‘i, especially, it’s always a challenge when you got to teach kids from the ground up, whereas in other schools, it’s like, by the time they get to high school, they already know the fundamentals, right?”
This year’s MIL game was a close call, up against the Moloka‘i Farmers, ending 22-23. Playing on Moloka‘i from Friday, May 3 to Saturday, May 4, they had to finish the seventh inning the following day because of how close the score was. The Pinelasses started strong, leading in the second inning, but Moloka‘i came back with a significant push in the fourth and fifth innings. By the end of the fifth, both teams were tied, but Moloka‘i managed to edge out in the final innings, securing the win. “I think there are a lot of things that can be said about the game. I think the biggest takeaway for me is don’t give another team a chance to breathe,” said coach Keo, “If you’re ahead, just keep pushing away.”
Malia George, LHES junior, first baseman, and team captain says, “I was really nervous. That was the first game that I felt nervous to play in. Usually, I’m not really nervous like that. I stepped into the batter’s box and could feel my heart beating fast because this game was where we wanted to three-peat.” Our team aimed to win MIL three years in a row. “But the outcome was really disappointing. But I'm not mad at the fact that we lost, I was just bummed out.”
“In every game we played, there was always an ending where it got to us, and we felt like we were giving up. And so, the whole team gets down, and Coach Keo tells me that he thinks the team looks up to me, and so I have to be there to pick them up and call the plays when nobody is. So, there's a lot of pressure. Just to encourage my teammates and pick themselves up after errors. Because when we make errors, I feel bummed out, too. But I want to be able to just flush it all down and just reset everything.”
Malia also shared, “What motivates me most about playing is this team and the coaches. The coaches do us so well, and just being around the team is like being around a second family. It’s always laughs. We’re always laughing. It’s just one of my happy places.”
The season concluded with the states tournament, held on O‘ahu at McKinley Field on Tuesday, May 14, where the team faced the Radford Rams. The game ended with a final score of 15-1, with the Rams winning.
Overall, the season had its accomplishments and memorable moments, and we can take this year as a lesson. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be part of the team this season. Coming from playing sports like basketball and volleyball, then going into softball was a big change for me. I had never played before this season, and at times, it got difficult. I got to learn and step out of my comfort zone. Now I really enjoy the game and have been practicing on my own time. I am excited to see what’s in store for next season.