Kailua's Sumner played solid defense to go with big hits
By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
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On a hot-hitting Kailua baseball team, the man who played the hot corner came out on top when it came to O'ahu Interscholastic Association Red Conference Eastern Division postseason honors.
Kale Sumner, a junior third baseman who batted second in the lineup, was chosen as East Player of the Year after a recent vote of league coaches.
Sumner batted .514 with four home runs and 16 RBIs, and he also played solid defense at third in helping Kailua repeat as East champion with a 10-2 record.
Sumner helped ignite Kailua's potent offense by either moving up the leadoff runner with solid contact hitting or by slamming the ball for extra bases. In a key midseason showdown with Kaiser, he had two doubles and scored three runs in an 8-7 victory.
Kailua and Kaiser each led the East all-star first-team selections with three players each. Kailua placed Sumner, first baseman Jordan Limahai and designated hitter Scott Talaesea. Kaiser was represented by second baseman Joe Honma, center fielder Dustin Dela Pena and catcher Bryce Marcoullier.
Talaesea batted .480 with six home runs and was considered to be one of the league's most feared sluggers.
Honma, Dela Pena and Marcoullier anchored a solid middle defense for the Cougars.
Castle and Moanalua each placed two players on the first team. Castle was represented by shortstop Kainoa Tom and pitcher Pulama Silva. Moanalua outfielders Jared Coloma and Jordan Monico represented Na Menehune.
Tom batted over .600 during the regular season.
Roosevelt pitcher Kelson Okimoto and Kalani utility player Jake Massey round out the first team.
Sumner, Dela Pena, Monico and Silva are repeat first-team selections.
Kailua's Corey Ishigo was named Coach of the Year after guiding the Surfriders to their second straight East crown.
FIRST TEAM
First base — Jordan Limahai, Kailua.
Second base — Joe Honma, Kaiser.
Third base — Kale Sumner, Kailua.
Shortstop — Kainoa Tom, Castle.
Outfield — Jared Coloma, Moanalua.
Outfield - Dustin Dela Pena, Kaiser.
Outfield — Jordan Monico, Moanalua.
Catcher — Bryce Marcouiller, Kaiser.
Pitcher — Kelson Okimoto, Roosevelt.
Pitcher — Pulama Silva, Castle.
DH — Scotty Talaesea, Kailua.
Utility — Jake Massey, Kalani.
SECOND TEAM
First base - Reid Matsumoto, Moanalua.
Second base — Jared Iha, Kailua .
Third base — T.J. Bae, Roosevelt.
Shortstop — Cal Tashiro, Kaiser.
Outfield — Zach Hamasaki, Roosevelt.
Outfield — Ryan Kinoshita, Kailua.
Outfield — Bobby Lastimosa, Kailua.
Catcher — Tyler Nitahara, Roosevelt.
Pitcher — Jared Tamanaha, Kailua.
Pitcher — Zach Wong, Kaiser.
HONORABLE MENTION
Castle: Coby Agres, Kaliko Cayetano-Tamashiro, Marcus Ofoia-Stevens, Bryan Raines, Josh Serrano.
Kalani: Troy Kashiwabara, Jordan Wong.
Kailua: Rob Demarsh, Keenan Tanaka, Elia Lono, Reyn Matsuki.
Kaiser: Timmy Arakawa, Jaymes Kawashima, Pono Meyer, Shane Tsutahara.
Moanalua: Jayson Hironaka, Ethan Isobe, Chris Liu-Saguid.
Roosevelt: Rylan Ikehara, Lowen Kaho'oilihala, Sean Matsumoto, Justin Otaguro, Casey Tanabe, Aaron Yamane.
Player of the Year — Kale Sumner, Kailua.
Coach of the Year — Corey Ishigo, Kailua.
Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.