Casey Yamauchi is most valuable for Waiakea when he’s doing a bit of everything on the diamond: sparking the offense as a leadoff hitter, building a wall at third base and pitching under pressure as a closer.
Last season in four games at the HHSAA Division I tournament, Yamauchi batted 3 for 12, including 2 for 3 against Maui in a 6-1 loss for the championship, and recorded saves against Moanalua and Kailua.
The senior third baseman was at it again at the Stanley Costales Memorial Baseball Tournament on Saturday. Yamauchi highlighted an eight-run first inning with a two-run single in Waiakea’s 10-5 over Kamehameha at Kame‘eiamoku field.
Due to the wet weather, the preseason game between the two BIIF teams was moved to Kamehameha’s field, which has excellent drainage.
Yamauchi is one of five returning starters for Waiakea. The others are junior first baseman Khaden Victorino, and three seniors in catcher Jacob Igawa, shortstop Trayden Tamiya, and David Nakamura, a right fielder and ace pitcher.
Stone Miyao, a transfer from Hilo, is in the mix for second base while sophomore Kalai Rosario is penciled in at left field and Brett Fujii and Chris Hatakenaka-Gibbs in a center field timeshare plan.
Reese Mondina, another solid bat who went 3 for 4 against Kamehameha, is slated as the No. 2 pitcher. Cody Hirata, Devon Hirata, Devin Midel, and Rysen Ross all pitched at states. Cody Min and Ty Honda will provide pitching depth.
“Our team is based on chemistry,” Yamauchi said. “Everybody came together last year. Everybody has respect for each other, and we have that team chemistry to get back to states.”
As a leadoff hitter, Yamauchi often finds a way to get on base, either working counts to draw walks or punching line drives somewhere. He rarely gives away at-bats because of his bat control, the ability to fight off pitches with two strikes.
“That bat control came from coach Rory Inouye’s pepper drills and coach Kaha Wong. He taught me to hit to all fields,” Yamauchi said. “Pitches come at varying speeds, and he taught me how to adjust to each one.”
Inouye describes Yamauchi as a model hard worker and clutch player but points out the future UH-Hilo Vulcan contributes to the team’s chemistry as well.
“He’ll go 100 percent every day. He’s a gamer. He knows how to joke around and keep the team loose,” Inouye said. “When it’s game time, he’ll flip a switch.
“He’s one of those guys who wants to be at bat with the winning run at third base or given the ball at the end of games.”
In his role as closer, Yamauchi isn’t a flame-thrower, but he does all the little things to help himself.
“He throws strikes, and that’s the main thing,” Inouye said. “He’s smart and knows how to mix speeds. As an infielder, he’s got good coverage on the mound, especially on bunts. He fields his position well, and that’s important late in games.”
Min is a closer in training, and Inouye compares his mindset to Yamauchi, whose 5-foot-8 frame is filled with a lion’s confidence.
“As a sophomore, Cody is like Casey,” Inouye said. “Late in games, he wants the ball. He’ll get us out of jams.”
Yamauchi and Tamiya, the No. 2 batter, are bat control clones of each other. They have enough experience to wait for their pitch and hit from behind in the count. Tamiya is also a solid bunter, who can set the table for the thumpers.
Igawa and Nakamura are tough outs because of their consistent line-drive swings, and Inouye likes the promise of Rosario, who played on the junior varsity last year.
“He battles well at the varsity level, and he’s able to hit with two strikes,” Inouye said. “That’s something that he needs to do because if he’s the No. 3 or 4 hitter, he’ll see curveballs all the time. Defensively, he’ll catch the ones hit his way. He’s a solid outfielder.”
Kamehameha and Waiakea share not only the same Warriors nickname but also similar cultures. Kamehameha coach Andy Correa’s program is built on discipline and respect. The Warriors pull for each other, at both schools.
“Every year the team chemistry is different,” Inouye said. “If everybody buys in and gives us that team chemistry, we could go far. The kids are hungry. They had a little taste of what it’s like to be there (in the state championship). They want to go back, but it’s a long season to get there. The key for us is consistency, and we have to play our game.”