Some Waiakea Warriors, softball coach Bo Saiki said, are a year older and thus a year more experienced.
Others, such as Brandee Chinen, have shown marked improvement from last season.
An then there is Skylar Thomas.
“Same as last year,” Saiki said.
That is good enough, for sure.
If the Warriors are anything like the teams that won the past two BIIF Division I titles, they’ll have steady pitching, improving defense and explosive hitting, led by Thomas, the slick-fielding shortstop who — according to Waiakea statistics — hit .610 with two home runs and 31 RBIs en route to being named league Division I Player of the Year.
Waiakea made its annual trek to Oahu for Mililani’s preseason tournament and went 2-5 over the weekend as it prepares for its opener today at Hilo.
“They’re not as good as last year, but they have the potiential to be as good,” Saiki said.
Save for a three-year run by the Vikings from 2012-14, Saiki’s Warriors have won seven of the past 10 BIIF titles. During the first five of the equation – which included a lengthy winning streak of 50-plus games – Waiakea often boasted an ace pitcher.
In contrast, the Warriors of 2015 and 2016 featured pitching by committee, and that theme is likely to continue this year. Alyssa Hara is a veteran workhorse who went 3-2 last season, Jourdan Perreira came on as a sophomore last season and won all five of her decisions, and Kristi Hirata and Jolene Hirata are options as well.
At least three freshmen will have a chance to make their mark this season, and two of them, Kelsie Imai and Halee Sweat, could see time in the circle.
While the preseason losses against quality competition at Mililani might not be a concern, Saiki said defense was an issue, and fielders will have to be on their toes this season since most of Waiakea’s arms pitch to contact.
“Too may errors,” Saiki said, “but they have the talent to improve.”
Of course, the Warriors’ offense may be able to cover up for other flaws.
While Thomas enters her fourth year as a key contributer, Chinen, a second basemen, often hit behind her at cleanup, batting .394 with two home runs and five extra-base hits.
In addition to Thomas and Chinen, the other all-BIIF returnee is Jolene Hirata (.440, one home run in 2016), who’s also an outfielder.
Tierra Teves (.344) will play center field, and Imai and Gracie Patao also will vie for time in the outfield.
The two biggest departuring players from last season were catcher Taylor Nishimura and third basemen Taylor Ogawa. Freshman Johnacy Mackwelung likely will fill in at one of those spots and Kristi Hirata (.378) has experience at catcher as well.
“There is good talent on that freshman class,” Saiki said.
Another big bat is Shailey Moses (.448, four triples, one home run) and Perreira hit .400 with a home run and 18 RBIs.
Due to a quirk in the schedule – teams are playing home-and-home series against divisional opponents and once each against non-division foes – Waiakea has only one game ineach of the first two weeks.
“A lot of time to practice,” Saiki said. “Hopefully, we can get better.”