Shaileah Brown earned herself one extra scoop rice last week. 

Brown, a senior pitcher/outfielder and four-year starter for the Baldwin softball team, was at the forefront of three crucial wins in as many days to help the Bears capture their fifth consecutive league title. 

The 5-foot-8 Brown started her week off with a 10-strikeout performance in a 13-3 win over Kekaulike on Monday. The game was called in the bottom of the sixth inning due to the 10-run differential mercy rule. 

Brown allowed two earned runs on four hits with three walks. Additionally, she batted 5 for 5 out of the leadoff spot. Brown collected a pair of doubles and one triple. She drove in a run and scored three times against Na Alii. 

The following day, in an 8-4 win over Lahainaluna, Brown again tallied double-digit strikeouts (10). She did not walk a batter and scattered five hits. At the plate Brown batted 3 for 5 with a double and three RBI to lead the Baldwin in clinching the Maui Interscholastic League Division I tournament title. 

That win by the Bears forced a one-game playoff against the Lunas, who won the regular season title, on Thursday. Once again, Brown stood out on both sides of the ball. She went the distance yet again and allowed four hits with two walks against five strikeouts. Brown collected a pair of hits, including one double, drove in three runs and scored once in the 12-3 Baldwin victory. 

"It's been great to watch her excel at the level that she's been playing at, so it was a great week," 11th-year Baldwin coach Sanoe Kekahuna said of Brown. 

Brown's final regular-season pitching appearance the week prior was a bit of a rough one, despite the fact that the Bears got the win, 11-7, over Kekaulike. Although she registered nine strikeouts, Brown was tagged for seven runs on nine hits and allowed six walks. 

Brown buckled down in last week's triumvirate of games. She threw every pitch over all 20 innings and allowed 13 combined hits. She amassed 25 strikeouts against five walks and improved to 8-0 on the year with an earned run average of 2.66. 

"Her ability to bounce back after a pretty hard (regular) season stood out. Her stamina was on point last week and I think it was more of a mental thing that she fought and we talked about it and prepared her for it, that there would be a high possibility that she would pitch all three games, but she battled, we fought and she came on out top. Shai is a fighter, she's not one to give up," Kekahuna described. 

While Brown has been in the starting lineup since her freshman season, her role in the pitching circle has expanded over the years. She did not record any pitching statistics in her first varsity season and made just one appearance as a sophomore. 

However, showed promise as a junior, when she made nine appearances and tallied a 6-1 record with a 2.05 ERA in 34 1/3 innings. Brown recorded a pair of complete games last year, in which she racked up 12 and 14 strikeouts in wins over Lahainaluna and Kekaulike, respectively. 

"She was always a pitcher that we would use, but she was more of a filler in previous years. She did her job, she would give some breaks for those that needed the rest and over time this season, our starter got sick and then we had to roll Shai in as much as possible and eventually that's where she became our number one," Kekahuna explained. 

Brown's success in the circle hasn't come without some serious sweat equity. 

"She is more of our power pitcher, so to speak. We've been working a lot on the location and the spins and the accuracy of her pitching over the last year or so, which has shown and gotten her to where she is now. She is definitely different from the previous pitcher that we've had, not so much of a down-ball, up-ball kind of pitching," Kekahuna said. 

Kekahuna describes Brown as the team's "biggest cheerleader," which sometimes can work against her as a pitcher. 

"She sometimes struggles with the ability to calm down," Kekahuna laughed, "just because of her intensity and her energy level being so high sometimes that it can be too much, but we've learned over time that with her experience that she brings, she's learned how to manage that and so it's been working pretty well for us so far and we're just rolling with what we've been dealt with and I'm sure when adversity comes again, we'll face it head on," Kekahuna said. 

Brown has certainly risen to the challenge this spring. With the exception of one no decision, Brown has been the pitcher of record in all eight of her appearances in the circle. She has allowed 21 earned runs and 27 hits over 55 1/3 innings, with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of nearly 3 to 1 (75 strikeouts to 26 walks). 

She not only leads the team in every major pitching category this year, but also is the team-leader in hits (33), runs driven in (29) and runs scored (21). Furthermore, her power is evident by the fact that she also leads the Bears in doubles (8), triples (3) and home runs (7). 

Kekahuna, an admitted fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers, likened Brown's role as a power pitcher and leadoff batter to that of superstar Shohei Ohtani.

Kind of. 

"She's kind of like Shohei, but I believe him to be the most humble person and as a teenager, I'm not sure she's there yet," Kekahuna joked. "But I want to say she's been leading off for the last two, three years and one of the reasons for that is she gives us an opportunity to not just get on base and bring her around, but with the consistent contact that she brings, it would be smart to bat her leadoff," Kekahuna said. 

Brown has hit safely in 13 of Baldwin's 15 games this year; She has reached base in all but one game. Brown has amassed 10 multi-hit games, including an Ohtani-like three-home run, seven-RBI effort in a win over Kamehameha-Maui back on March 25.

Needless to say, Brown's teammates look up to her for both her ability on the field and her leadership between pitches. 

"They say there's two kinds of leaders: one that tells them what to do and then one that leads by example. She's actually both. She's the outspoken one to get on people and then on top of that she'll be the one to go do it herself and it's rare to have players like that, but she's one of the few that can do both because usually it's one or the other," Kekahuna said. 

No matter what role Brown is filling for the Bears, she always brings the energy, Kekahuna noted. 

"Sometimes she loses her voice from screaming so loud from cheering on her teammates. It's just the energy she brings to the team and the outlook she has that lifts everybody up. The atmosphere she creates, the mindset that she has, it's just always high energy, intense and motivated; She's always a team player," Kekahuna said. 

Whereas Brown deferred to her elders in previous seasons, she has learned to embraced her role as a leader and a captain for this year's Baldwin squad. 

"She's able to take in criticism and she's not afraid to take charge now more than she did previously. She understands her role and she's one to do what needs to be done. She's definitely more of a leader now versus she was more of a follower previous years and that just comes with maturity," Kekahuna said. 

Some of the leadership that Brown displays has played out behind the scenes, often times at practices and through her interactions with some of her younger teammates. 

"She's been able to make a connection with the younger ones, I think that's what has impressed me. She's not shy — she is outspoken — but like any other high school student, they'll pick who they want to hang out with, but she puts our program first and she brings the ones under her up to her level and shows them that it can be done," Kekahuna said. 

Brown is one of three captains this spring, alongside fellow-seniors Khaili Higa and Zirie-Dae Rivera. Brown, who is involved in student government at Baldwin, and Higa are both signed with Saint Martin's University (Lacey, Wash.)

The triumvirate were instrumental in rallying the Bears from their runner-up finish in the regular season. Since their 6-3 defeat at the hands of the Lunas on Apr. 17, they have reeled off six straight wins entering this week's DataHouse/HHSAA Division I State Championships. 

"It was for all of us, but it was a moment that forced them to dig deep and ask themselves, ‘Do we want to play, compete and win or just get by?' The three captains sat the team down and had a talk that got us through a bunch of things. They made sure that connection we have on and off the field is strong. It was rough but they pulled through and had to come back from behind and they did it," Kekahuna stated. 

Baldwin (13-2) is seeded third in this week's state tournament on Oahu. Brown and the Bears have a first-round bye before they open play against either Moanalua or Punahou in Wednesday's quarterfinal round. First pitch is slated for 11:30 a.m. at McKinley Tiger Softball Stadium. 

SOFTBALL

Keira Agdeppa, Honokaa — Batted 5 for 6 with a home run, two triples, five RBI, one stolen base and five runs scored in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Paisley Aoki, Punahou — Batted 2 for 5 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kamehameha 

Hope Batulayan-Cardona, Baldwin — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, five RBI and three runs scored in a win over Kekaulike 

Loganne Cambra, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, two RBI and a run scored in a loss to Punahou 

Kodah Coyaso, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in a loss to Punahou 

Delaney Dagupion, Baldwin — Batted 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored in a win over Lahainaluna 

Molly Davi, Maryknoll — Struck out four batters, walked one and allowed six hits in a five-inning shutout of Punahou 

Hayden Dumlao, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 4 with a triple, double, one RBI and two runs scored in a loss to Punahou 

Emalia Emmsley, Honokaa — Batted 4 for 5 with a home run, double, one walk, three RBI and three runs scored in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Jessie Garza, Waiakea — Batted 3 for 4 with an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in a win over Hilo 

Presley Gibson, Kapaa — Struck out six batters, walked none and allowed two hits in five scoreless innings pitched in a win over Kauai

Reyni Hiraoka, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 3 with two doubles, one walk and three runs scored in a loss to Punahou and batted 2 for 2 with two walks, two RBI and three runs scored in a win over Punahou 

Serenity Horswill, Maryknoll — Tripled and drove in three runs in a loss to Punahou 

Kate Iida, PAC-5 — Batted 4 for 4 with two home runs, one double, six RBI and three runs scored in a win over Kamehameha II and batted 2 for 4 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kamehameha II 

Sheyzhelle Iokia, Maryknoll — Batted 4 for 4 with two doubles, one RBI and a run scored in a loss to Punahou and batted 2 for 3 with a home run, double, one walk and six RBI in a win over Punahou 

Mele Kahaialii-Vehikite, Baldwin — Batted 3 for 5 with an RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kekaulike, batted 2 for 3 with a double, one walk and two runs scored in a win over Lahainaluna and batted 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBI in a win over Lahainaluna 

Keane Kamealoha, Maui — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, one RBI, one stolen base and two runs scored in a loss to Lahainaluna 

Keani Kaneshiro, Waiakea — Batted 2 for 4 with double, two RBI and a run scored in a win over Hilo 

Ashby Kee, Punahou — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple and two runs scored in a win over Kamehameha 

Charlize Kenney, Kapaa — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run, double and two RBI in a win over Kauai and homered with three RBI in a win over Kauai 

Nahe Marshall, Kapaa — Batted 2 for 2 with a home run, one walk, two RBI and four runs scored in a win over Kauai 

Liulani Martin, Kapaa — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run, double, four RBI and three runs scored in a win over Kauai 

Pollyanna Melekiola, Lahainaluna — Batted 3 for 3 with a double, one and one RBI in a win over Maui and batted 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI in a loss to Baldwin 

Shelby Nagatori, Punahou — Batted 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI and allowed two runs on six hits with six strikeouts and two walks in six innings pitched in a win over Maryknoll and batted 3 for 5 with a home run, double and five RBI in a win over Kamehameha 

Taryn Nakamoto, Punahou — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run, four RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kamehameha and batted 2 for 4 with two RBI in a win over Maryknoll 

Tariah Ortiz, Baldwin — Batted 2 for 4 with three RBI in a win over Lahainaluna 

Rachel Pagdilao, Lahainaluna — Batted 2 for 4 with two doubles, one walk, two RBI, one stolen base and two runs scored in a win over Maui 

Anela Pau, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 4 with two home runs in a loss to Punahou 

Casey Ross, Lahainaluna — Batted 1 for 3 with a walk and two RBI and allowed two earned runs on five hits with two strikeouts and two walks in a complete-game win over Maui 

Kaelyn Sewake, Waiakea — Batted 2 for 3 with three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Hilo 

Grace Washington, Punahou — Batted 3 for 3 with a double, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kamehameha 

Mauliola Zuttermeister, PAC-5 — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, three RBI, one stolen base and two runs scored and allowed two runs on six hits with three strikeouts and two walks in a five-inning win over Kamehameha II and batted 2 for 4 with ah one run, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kamehameha II 

BASEBALL

Alika Ahu, PAC-5 — Batted 2 for 4 with two doubles and an RBI in a loss to Kamehameha 

Jerrell Alston, Waiakea — Hit a grand slam in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Colten Amai Nakagawa, PAC-5 — Allowed one unearned run on four hits with five strikeouts and three walks in five innings pitched in a win over Kamehameha 

Kaden Anderson, Baldwin — Allowed one run on five hits with five strikeouts and four walks in a complete-game win over Kekaulike 

Ryder Asuncion, Waipahu — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, walk, three RBI and three runs scored in a win over Castle 

Kupono Barkdull, Kamehameha — Allowed one run on two hits with five strikeouts and four walks in five innings pitched in a win over PAC-5

Bronson Boucher, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBI in a win over PAC-5 

Noah Castillo, Kamehameha — Allowed one run on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks in five innings pitched in a win over PAC-5 

Zion Cornog, PAC-5 — Allowed two earned runs on four hits with two strikeouts and three walks in six innings pitched in a loss to Kamehameha 

Isaac DeRego, Honokaa — Batted 2 for 3 with a walk, one stolen base and two runs scored in a win over Hawaii Prep 

Pana Drew, Castle — Batted 2 for 4 with a walk, six stolen bases and two runs scored in a loss to Waipahu 

Reese Higuchi, Mid-Pacific — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, one walk, one RBI and one run scored in a win over Iolani 

Jesse Inouye, Waiakea — Batted 2 for 4 with two runs scored in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Kainui Keopuhiwa, Hilo — Batted 2 for 3 with a double and two RBI in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Kiakahi Lindsey, Honokaa — Batted 3 for 3 with an RBI, one stolen base and a run scored in a win over Hawaii Prep 

Kody Luttrell, Castle — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, four RBI, one stolen base and a run scored in a win over Kahuku 

Nixon Murphy, Castle — Batted 2 for 4 with a stolen base and two runs scored and allowed two unearned runs on no hits with five strikeouts and one walk in 4 1/3 innings pitched in a win over Kahuku 

Mikah Noda, Waipahu — Batted 2 for 4 with a triple and two RBI in a win over Castle and batted 3 for 4 with a double in a win over Kapolei 

Maddox Oasay, Waipahu — Triples and drove in four runs in a win over Castle 

Alexander O'Brien, Kalaheo — Batted 2 for 4 with an RBI in a win over Radford and batted 2 for 4 in a loss to Castle 

Lucas O'Brien, Kalaheo — Batted 2 for 4 and allowed one run on three hits with eight strikeouts and one walk in a complete-game win over Radford 

Landon Panel, Castle — Batted 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs batted in in a loss to Waipahu 

Kaikea Patoc-Young, Kamehameha — Allowed one earned run on five hits with nine strikeouts and no walks in a complete game in a loss to PAC-5 

Kajih Rego, Kapolei — Struck out five batters, walked two and allowed three hits in a five-inning shutout of Kalaheo 

Chance Rellin, Kapolei — Batted 3 for 3 with three RBI and a run scored in a win over Kalaheo 

Jayden Salazar, Honokaa — Batted 2 for 3 with an RBI, two stolen bases and two runs scored and struck out four batters, walked none and did not allow a hit in 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief in a win over Hawaii Prep 

Tyler Samura, Castle — Batted 3 for 3 with a triple and an RBI in a loss to Waipahu 

Coen Sardinha, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 2 with an RBI and a run scored in a win over PAC-5 and batted 2 for 4 in a loss to PAC-5

Ryan Shima, Waipahu — Struck out four batters, walked one and allowed six hits in a complete-game shutout of Kapolei 

Brayden Shizuru, Mid-Pacific — Batted 3 for 4 with a stolen base and a run scored in a loss to Hilo 

Hurley Soong, Waiakea — Allowed two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and no walks in five innings pitched in a win over Kamehameha-Hawaii 

Luke Takakuwa-Holtey, Mid-Pacific — Allowed two runs on five hits with six strikeouts and three walks in five innings pitched in a win over Iolani 

Jeizen Twining, Kapolei — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run and two runs scored in a win over Kalaheo 

Liam Villanueva, Hilo — Batted 3 for 4 with a double in a win over Mid-Pacific 

Kai Watanabe, Baldwin — Batted 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored in a win over Kekaulike 

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

Hayden Agbayani, Maryknoll — Had 33 set assists, four digs and three aces in a three-set win over Hawaiian Mission and had 47 set assists, six digs and one block assist in a five-set win over University Lab 

Samuel Cummings, Maui — Had 16 kills, three digs and one block assist in a three-set win over Baldwin and had 16 kills, three aces, one dig and a solo block in a three-set win over Kekaulike 

Lionel Gannon, Moanalua — Had 14 kills, five aces, one dig and a block assist in a three-set win over Campbell 

Andrew Guzman, Maui — Had 30 set assists, six digs, one kill and an assist in a three-set win over Baldwin and had 34 set assists, one kill, a dig and an ace in a three-set win over Kekaulike 

Dillon Hall, Kaiser — Had 22 kills and an ace in a four-set win over Waianae 

Kiai Ilae, Maryknoll — Had 16 kills, seven digs, two block assists and an ace in a three-set win over Hawaiian Mission and had 28 kills, eight digs, three blocks assists and one ace in a five-set win over University Lab 

Micah Kalima-Keohohina, Radford — Had 16 kills, 18 set assists, seven digs and an ace in a three-set win over Castle 

Jephthah Miyaji, Castle — Had 18 digs in a three-set win over Leilehua 

Jacob Nahulu, Nanakuli — Had 18 kills, 14 digs, three block assists and an ace in a four-set loss to Pearl City 

Josiah Talamoa, Pearl City — Had 17 kills, two block assists and an ace in a four-set win over Nanakuli 

Francis Tautuaa, Waianae — Had 18 kills and a solo block in a four-set loss to Kaiser 

Brennan Van Kuren, Nanakuli — Had 14 set assists and 10 digs in a four-set loss to Pearl City 

Kellan Young, Kaiser — Had 40 set assists, two kills and an ace in a four-set win over Waianae 

FLAG FOOTBALL

Sapphire Alo, Kahuku — Recorded three sacks in a loss to Nanakuli 

Taimane Amisone, Kapolei — Threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns on 24-of-32 passing without an interception and ran 16 times for 159 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Kailua 

Bayle Brooks, Kapolei — Caught six passes for 101 yards in a win over Kailua 

Shore Carlbom, Kaiser — Had four flag pulls and intercepted two passes in a loss to Leilehua 

Cristina Harrison, Hanalani — Caught a touchdown pass and recorded two interceptions in a loss to Hawaii Baptist 

Breidi-Ann Higa, Moanalua — Threw for 291 yards and four touchdowns on 22-of-32 passing with an interception in a win over Mililani 

Puaena Herrington, Maryknoll — Threw for 230 yards and five touchdowns on 23-of-44 passing with an interception and ran 12 times for 178 yards in a win over Hawaii Baptist 

Hayden-Elyzabeth Kaahanui-Cera, Mililani — Threw for 240 yards and six touchdowns on 16-of-23 passing without an interception in a win over Kaimuki 

Caleigh Kaio, Maryknoll — Caught two touchdown passes and intercepted a pass in a win over Hawaii Baptist 

Shaydenurijah Key Bryd, Moanalua — Caught seven passes for 148 yards and a touchdown and had nine flag pulls in a win over Mililani 

Jackie Miyazawa, Hawaii Baptist — Had six flag pulls, including three sacks in a 

Cali Moniz-Kealoha, Leilehua — Threw for 181 yards and three touchdowns on 11-of-15 passing without an interception in a win over Kaiser 

Shaleah Moore, Castle — Had 11 flag pulls and four sacks in a win over Castle 

Zennalen Nelson, Mililani — Caught two touchdown passes and ran for another in a win over Kaimuki 

Lauren Okuda, Hawaii Baptist — Caught five passes for 104 yards and a touchdown in a loss to Maryknoll 

Shelby Olivia Merriweather Swaby, Hanalani — Threw three touchdown passes in a loss to Hawaii Baptist 

Maja Paopao Kahuku — Recorded five sacks in a loss to Nanakuli 

Tehya Richardson, Maryknoll — Had three flag pulls, two interceptions and one pass break up in a win over Hawaii Baptist 

Teysia Scharsch-Salis, Castle — Intercepted two passes in a loss to Campbell 

Azriella Sakelis, Leilehua — Caught nine passes for 162 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another touchdown in a win over Kaiser 

Zoe Silva, Maryknoll — Caught 13 passes for 139 yards and three touchdowns, had seven flag pulls, one pass break up and scored on a 76-yard interception return for touchdown in a win over Hawaii Baptist 

Iaorana Simanu, McKinley — Had three flag pulls, two interceptions and caught nine passes for 79 yards and a touchdown in a win over Mililani 

Jaynalyn Sotelo, Campbell — Scored on interception returns of 12 and 15 yards in a win over McKinley and caught five passes for 95 yards and two touchdowns and had 10 flag pulls and two interceptions in a win over Castle 

GIRLS WATER POLO

Jade Brown, Baldwin — Scored five goals in a win over Kamehameha-Maui

Chloe Cuomo, Kamehameha-Maui — Scored three goals in a loss to Baldwin 

Kaya Pestana, Iolani — Scored four goals in a win over Le Jardin 

Synnove Robinson, Punahou — Scored six goals in a win over Kamehameha