Finding a quality shortstop, catcher and center fielder are top priorities and big challenges for most high school softball coaches, but longtime 'Iolani coach Chris Shimabukuro was able to fill all three positions from one Hawai'i Kai household this season.

Three Masutani sisters — senior shortstop Kaz, junior catcher Kai and freshman center fielder Kryn — not only have made Shimabukuro's job much easier, they also have been a key reason the Raiders (11-4) took second in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu and will make their first state tournament appearance since 2002 Wednesday night against Moanalua (12-3).

Kaz bats .302 from the leadoff position with 12 walks, 13 runs, three doubles and one triple. Kai, who bats third, is hitting .298 with two doubles and seven RBIs. And Kryn is hitting .370 from the No. 7 spot, with two doubles, one triple and nine runs scored.

All three are slick fielders with surprisingly strong arms.

"It's so amazing to have all three of them playing key positions up the middle, and all three started as freshmen," Shimabukuro said. "What makes them so good is they're all tough competitors."

The Masutanis' competitive fire, and seemingly natural all-around ability, can be traced to their childhood days in Hawai'i Kai playing with and against boys in baseball, basketball and even flag football.

Three of Kaz and Kai's former youth teammates — 2006 grads Colby Ho and Scott Uehara from Kaiser and Punahou's Maika Murashige — were named to The Advertiser's All-State Baseball first team. Two others, Kaiser's Jarryd Maeda and Alex Talavera, were named first-team all-stars in the O'ahu Interscholastic Association's Eastern Division.

But the Masutani girls were not mere bench warmers in the shadow of those standouts.

"They were starting, making the Hawai'i Kai all-star teams," said Kaiser baseball coach Peter Ho, who coached the two older Masutanis in baseball, basketball and flag football. "And these were not the 'B' teams; these were the 'A' teams. Kaz played second base and shortstop, and Kai was a catcher. They played like boys and held their own."

All three sisters began their baseball careers at age 5, and Kaz and Kai switched over to softball after playing in the Mustang (9-10 years old) Division. Kryn played through the PONY (13-14 years old) division.

"When I was younger, I liked baseball better," Kryn said. "Just competing against the boys always made me work harder."

Kai liked the speed of playing hardball.

"Baseball was more fun," she said. "It's faster, and there's boys, so there wasn't that much drama."

Shimabukuro said all three sisters have a business-like approach to the game, but they offer more than just their considerable skills.

"They're more than just good softball players, they are great girls," said Shimabukuro, in his ninth year at the 'Iolani helm after three seasons as an assistant. "They are three of the most respectful and dedicated players we've had, and to me, that's a tribute to their parents and their upbringing. If you don't know (the sisters) well, they might seem quiet, but socially they all have their own personalities and once you get to know them, they're hilarious. They're sincere, genuine, and really have a gift for making people laugh or smile."

A sense of humor helps the Masutanis get through their often hectic days at home. They have two younger siblings, brother Kain (age 14) and sister Klein (11), so parents Les and Joni always have their hands full.

When asked to describe what it's like at home with five kids ages 11 to 18, Joni answered, "Chaos."

But the three older sisters said there are advantages.

"It's not too difficult," said Kaz. "It's noisy, but it's fun. There's always something happening."

Kai says, "It's always pretty loud, there's not too much quiet time."

But, she added, "there's always something to do."

Kryn agreed.

"There's never really a typical day, because every day is different," she said.

Now that Kaz, Kai and Kryn are on the same team for the first time, it at least has made travel plans easier. Les and Joni attend every game along with grandparents, aunties, uncles and former coaches.

In addition to Ho's coaching, the Masutani girls also received early batting instruction from former 'Iolani standouts Brant and Robb Tanaka, and playing in the Kaikamahine softball club has helped the sisters make the smooth transition from baseball.

"They've been real fortunate to have had good coaches all the way through," Joni said.

Being teammates also has helped motivate the girls.

"For me, there is (a benefit) because they're always pushing me to do my best," Kryn said.

While this week is a huge one for the Masutanis, things won't slow down much once softball season ends. Kaz is a three-year varsity letterman on 'Iolani's basketball team, and Kryn also plays hoops. Kai is a golfer.

But this could be the last time the three sisters will be teammates. And of all people, Shimabukuro appreciates the rare opportunity.

"This team is one of the closest we've ever had, and they're a big part of that," he said. "To have any one of these sisters on our team would be great. To have three is like winning the lottery."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.