Nichelle Chang

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Pearl City's Tanner Tokunaga tossed a complete-game three-hitter in a one-run loss to Mililani Wednesday, and batted 3 for 3 with five RBIs in a 10-run win over Leilehua two days later. Brien Ing | SL

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Male Athlete of the Week: Tanner Tokunaga, Pearl City baseball
Whether it's on the mound, in the outfield or at the hot corner, opponents should expect a whole lot of Tanner Tokunaga when taking the field against Pearl City this season.

The senior utility player proved his worth last week, tossing a complete-game three-hitter in a one-run loss to Mililani Wednesday, and batting 3 for 3 with five RBIs in a 10-run win over Leilehua two days later.

"Tanner hates to lose, he's a very competitive kid," Chargers' coach Mitch Yamato said. "When we throw him on the mound, our expectations are high for him. He runs the outfield when he's out at center and we'll look to him at third, as well. He has a big role for us. Basically the whole team is on his shoulders."

Tokunaga, who is a fourth-year varsity player and the last remaining piece of Pearl City's 2011 state championship team, has been thrust into a leadership role this season.

"He's done the job for us on the field the past four years," Yamato said. "He was one of the few guys that have been able to come up as a freshman and make an immediate impact on the team from the get-go. This year everybody kind of looks up to him to be a leader. He's been put into that role because of the way he holds himself on the field — he hustles all the time, tries to put all of his effort into it day-in and day-out — and when the team is down, they look to him and he's done great as far as that aspect of pumping his team up."

Yamato said Tokunaga is the team's designated closer this year, but will be used in spot duty as a starting pitcher. His bat, however, makes him an invaluable part of the Pearl City offense, as well.

"He's crucial to us both on the mound and on the field and we don't want to fatigue his arm so that he can't play other positions for us," Yamato said. "It's nice to have a guy like that as basically a fourth starter, especially in any type of four-game series, which happens in OIA's or states, where we'll need that fourth guy."

Against Mililani, Tokunaga threw just 68 pitches — 50 of them for strikes — in seven innings of work. He surrendered two runs — one unearned — and he struck out five batters without allowing a walk. Tokunaga played third base against Leilehua and tripled in both of his first two at bats — the second bringing two runs in — and followed with a run-scoring sacrifice fly, double and a walk in his next three plate appearances.

"The game against Mililani was hard luck — the ball just didn't bounce our way in that one," Yamato said. "He had a nice game against Leilehua, but that's in Tanner. He's one of those special guys that every coach wishes they had and he's going to do whatever it takes for his team and he's embraced his role as a leader, too. In sports, certain guys have that leadership quality within them. It's hard to coach somebody to lead a team."

Tokunaga, who will play collegiately at Hawaii Pacific next year, will set the tone for the Chargers offensively from the leadoff spot.

"Tanner is learning to be a leadoff batter," Yamato said. "Last year he batted third, but he's an important tool in our offense, he's a weapon out there because when he gets on base, he causes all kinds of havoc out there. I've seen him do some great stuff as far as frustrate pitchers and frustrate defenses."

Tokunaga and the Chargers continue OIA Red West play Wednesday in a road game at 3:30 p.m. at Kapolei.

Female Athlete of the Week: Nichelle Chang, Sacred Hearts softball
Nichelle Chang is not one to rile up the troops. Instead, she lets her bat do the talking.

The Sacred Hearts' junior right fielder had a lot to say in a 9-3 win over Saint Francis at Kamamalu Field Saturday. Chang batted 3 for 5 with three home runs and four RBIs to help the Lancers pick up win No. 1 in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu season.

"During our postgame talk, one of our coaches mentioned that she hit them off three different pitchers, which we didn't realize during the game," Sacred Hearts' coach Nani Vegas said. "She's not a very rah-rah kid, you can't really read her. She's pretty reserved during the game and sometimes it's hard to get a smile out of her, but I hope she celebrated with her family after. I was definitely pleased with her performance and I think she was, too, because she helped her team."

Chang, a right-handed hitter who bats third in the Lancers' lineup, belted her first homer was a shot to left center. She sent her second round-tripper to right field, while her third was of a different variety.

"The last one was a ground ball that went through the infield and through the outfield," Vegas recalled. "It got through the shortstop so fast that she couldn't play it and the outfielder didn't see it either."

There is no outfield fence at Kamamalu Field.

"In the past her mentality had been to hit the ball as hard and as far as she could, but now she's starting to understand that where she hits it with people on base makes us better as a team," Vegas said of the third-year starter. "I think that having played varsity for two years now and being a junior now, she understands her role better, which has come with maturity and a better understanding of the game."

It was a much-needed victory for Sacred Hearts, which opened the year 0-4 against the ILH's top teams. The Lancers started the season with double-digit losses to both Iolani and Maryknoll, before a five-run loss to Punahou and a four-run loss to reigning state champion Punahou.

"We went into the season with the understanding that we have to play the best — that's our first four games — and how we fared against them would set us up to continue to get better," Vegas said. "We loss to Punahou, 7-3, but we played well. I thought our girls competed and got more confident from it. It's never good to lose, but when you lose and leave it on the field and the other team knows you're there to compete, it's always a bonus. We went into Saturday's game with the mindset that it was a game we're supposed to win and that monkey is off our back that's for sure. We want to win the game that we're supposed to win and hopefully compete well enough to surprise some teams, too, so Saturday was a big win for us."

Vegas described Chang as a "silent leader," who leads by example.

"She's not a very verbal person, she doesn't tell people what to do, but I think her teammates have an understanding of how she functions and so when she engages people, they respond because she's not much for words," Vegas said. "She just quietly goes about her business, does her job and stays under the radar."

Chang, who shed about 15 pounds in the offseason, is one of five juniors on a young Lancers' squad.

"We only have one senior on our team and we don't have any captains, but those five juniors and our senior know that collectively they are the foundation right now," Vegas said. "Nichelle bring a quiet composure that makes it hard to pitch to her. She's always in control, doesn't try to do too much at the plate and she's very positive. She's very self-driven and it's nice to have that kind of kid on your team that will prepare on her own. She's also very academically-sound and has a high GPA."

working out on her own. nice to have that kind of kid on your team that will prepare on own. pure softball player. very academically sound, high GPA.

Chang and the Lancers return to the field Wednesday when they take visit Mid-Pacific at 4 p.m.

BASEBALL
Bobby Aiwohi, Castle — Batted 3 for 4, drew a walk, scored twice and drove in two runs in a 22-9 loss to Kaiser Tuesday

Dominic Albalos, Radford — Batted 3 for 5 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored in an 11-3 win over Nanakuli Wednesday

Matthew Anderson-Lee, Castle — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, two RBIs and scored twice in a 9-5 win over Kalaheo Wednesday

Jedd Andrade, Maryknoll — Batted 3 for 4 with two triples, a double, one walk, four RBIs and two runs scored in a 10-7 win over Pac-Five West Thursday

Makana Arakaki, Kamehameha — Batted 3 for 4 with three RBIs and a run scored in an 11-1 win over Pac-Five Saturday

Dallas Asuncion, Kalani — Allowed three unearned runs on four hits with three stikeouts and three walks in five innings pitched in a 4-3 win over Roosevelt Thursday

Michael Austin, Kaiser — Scored three times and drove in four runs in a 22-9 win over Castle Tuesday

Payton Awaya, Kalani — Hit an inside-the-park home run and drove in three runs in a 4-3 win over Roosevelt Thursday

Nicholas Bottom, Mid-Pacific — Batted 3 for 4 with a walk, stolen base, three RBIs and one run scored in a 12-4 win over Punahou Saturday

Micah Chinen, Mililani — Tossed a four-hit complete game with three strikeouts and no walks in a 1-0 win over Waipahu Tuesday

Christian Donahue, Iolani — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, walk and two RBIs in a 7-0 win over Saint Louis Saturday

Tristan Florentin, Damien — Allowed two runs on four hits with three stikeouts in a complete game 3-2 win over Saint Francis Thursday

Ethan Harms, Radford — Batted 2 for 3 with a walk, three stolen bases, one RBI and two runs scored in an 11-3 win over Nanakuli Wednesday

Bronson Ichimura, Iolani — Tossed a three-hit complete game with four strikeouts and one walk in a 7-0 win over Saint Louis Saturday

Joshua Inouye, Iolani — Allowed three runs, one earned, on four hits with nine strikeouts and two walks in a complete game 6-3 win over Pac-Five Thursday

Ian Kahaloa, Campbell — Allowed three hits in five innings pitched in a 12-0 win over Pearl City Monday

Niko Kala-Mahiai, Waianae — Batted 2 for 4 with a triple, three RBIs, three stolen bases and one run scored in a 10-0 win over Radford Saturday

Chase Kalama, Castle — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple, two RBIs, two runs scored and a walk in a 9-5 win over Kalaheo Wednesday

Kekoa Kaluhiokalani Jr., Waianae — Batted 2 for 4 with two doubles, three RBIs, a walk, stolen base and four runs scored in a 31-1 win over Kaimuki Wednesday

Peter Kanoho, Kailua — Batted 1 for 2, walked, stole three bases and scored a run in a 2-0 win over Kalani Wednesday

Zachary Kapihe, Campbell — Allowed no runs on one hit with three strikeouts, one walk in five innings pitched in a 10-1 win over Aiea Saturday

Alakai Kim, Castle — Had a triple and drove in three runs in a 22-9 loss to Kaiser Tuesday

Royce Komesu, Kailua — Tossed a six-hit complete game with four strikeouts and no walks in a 2-0 win over Kalani Wednesday

Ejay Kuakini, Waianae — Batted 2 for 4 with four RBIs and a two runs scored in a 31-1 win over Kaimuki Wednesday

Ryder Kuhns, Saint Louis — Batted 3 for 4 with two RBIs in an 8-3 win over Kamehameha Thursday

Mila Lele, Waialua — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored in an 8-6 win over McKinley Wednesday

Laakea Moniz, Saint Francis — Allowed three runs, none earned, on eight hits with one strikeout and two walks in a complete game 4-3 win over Pac-Five West Saturday

Bryce Nagata, Mid-Pacific — Batted 3 for 4 with two runs scored in a 12-4 win over Punahou Saturday

Cole Nakachi, Mililani — Allowed one run on one hit with three strikeouts and four walks in a complete game 2-1 win over Pearl City Wednesday

Corey Nakakura, Iolani — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run, two RBIs and a run scored in a 6-3 win over Pac-Five Thursday

Jerzey Ramento-Acosta, Waianae — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, three walks, two stolen bases, three RBIs and five runs scored in a 31-1 win over Kaimuki Wednesday and allowed no runs on two hits with five strikeouts and one walk in five innings pitched in a 10-0 win over Radford Saturday

Kekai Rios, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 3 with two walks and a stolen base in a 4-4 tie against Mid-Pacific Tuesday

Ethan Rosehill, Kamehameha — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, RBI and two runs scored in an 11-1 win over Pac-Five Saturday

Oakland Scanlan, Waipahu — Allowed one run on six hits and walked one in 5 2/3 innings pitched in a 6-1 win over Aiea Wednesday

Noah Sills, Mid-Pacific — Tossed five scoreless innings of relief in a 4-4 tie against Kamehameha Tuesday

Eric Sniffen, Kamehameha — Allowed one run on five hits with one strikeout and two walks in five innings pitched in an 11-1 win over Pac-Five Saturday

Dewayne Sprinkel, Campbell — Batted 3 for 5 with a double and three RBIs in a 10-1 win over Aiea Saturday

Dylan Sugimoto, Waipahu — Allowed two hits and one run, while striking out seven and walking two in six innings pitched in a 1-0 loss to Mililani Tuesday and batted 2 for 3 with a walk, two stolen bases and scored a run in a 6-1 win over Aiea Wednesday

Keola Tamanaha, Roosevelt — Batted 2 for 5 with a double, three RBIs and a run scored in a 9-8 win over Kaiser Wednesday

Dustin Tsukano, Roosevelt — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, stolen base and three runs scored in a 9-8 win over Kaiser Wednesday

Pikai Winchester, Iolani — Batted 3 for 4 with two runs scored in a 7-0 win over Saint Louis Saturday

Jordan Yamamoto, Saint Louis — Allowed two runs on four hits with eight strikeouts and three walks in six innings pitched in an 8-3 win over Kamehameha Thursday

Micah Yogi, Mililani — Batted 2 for 2, stole a base and scored the winning run in a 1-0 win over Waipahu Tuesday

Kelan Yoshioka, Kaiser — Batted 3 for 5 with two doubles, three walks, two stolen bases and five runs scored in a 22-9 win over Castle Tuesday and batted 3 for 5 with four RBIs, one stolen base and a run scored in a 9-8 loss to Roosevelt Wednesday

GIRLS WATER POLO
Britni Abrigo, Moanalua — Scored six goals in an 18-16 loss to Pearl City Monday

Autumn Akiu, Roosevelt — Scored six goals in a 15-2 win over Kalaheo Saturday

Jakee Anderson, Kahuku — Scored four goals in a 13-9 win over Mililani Wednesday

Choryn Beall, Kailua — Scored four goals in a 14-4 loss to Roosevelt Wednesday

Brooke Bosque, Kapolei — Scored four goals in an 11-5 win over Leilehua Wednesday

Taylor Ganeko, Pearl City — Scored eight goals in an 18-16 win over Moanalua Monday

Shaye Ganuelas, Kalani — Scored four goals in a 15-4 win over Campbell Monday

Kiana Harpstrite, Iolani — Scored five goals in a 16-1 win over Pac-Five Tuesday

Kylie Hong, Pearl City — Scored eight goals in an 18-16 win over Moanalua Monday

Kahea Kahaulelio, Kahuku — Scored four goals in a 13-9 win over Mililani Wednesday

Logan Kim, Iolani — Scored four goals in a 16-1 win over Pac-Five Tuesday

Rell Koizumi, Moanalua — Scored seven goals in an 18-16 loss to Pearl City Monday and four goals in a 15-6 win over Kailua Saturday

Glenda Lather, Farrington — Scored four goals in a 21-2 win over Waipahu Wednesday

Charity Lopes, Kalani — Scored four goals in a 13-1 win over Castle Saturday

Kacie Mau, Roosevelt — Scored four goals in a 14-2 win over Waialua Monday

Amber Ramos, Farrington — Scored four goals in a 21-2 win over Waipahu Wednesday

Keaniani Roy, Moanalua — Scored four goals in a 15-6 win over Kailua Saturday

Nicole Vaquilar, Farrington — Scored four goals in a 21-2 win over Waipahu Wednesday

SOFTBALL
Seli Aholelei, Kaiser — Batted 3 for 4 in a 5-3 win over Kailua Monday

Kallie Alama, Aiea — Hit two doubles and drove in four runs in a 23-1 win over Anuenue Saturday

Taezha-Ann Cordero, Leilehua — Allowed three runs, one earned, on five hits with one strikeout and one walk in seven innings pitched in a 3-1 loss to Campbell Thursday

Nicole Cox, Mililani — Hit a home run with two RBIs in a 6-0 win over Waianae Thursday

Jillian Cristobal, McKinley — Batted 4 for 4 and allowed two runs on three hits in six innings pitched in a 16-2 win over Radford Saturday

Rachel Dumlao, Kamehameha — Batted 4 for 4 with a walk and three runs scored in a 14-3 win over Saint Francis Wednesday

Mylee Enos, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, two RBIs and a run scored in a 10-0 win over Iolani Thursday

Cyanne Fernandez, Moanalua — Batted 3 for 4 with a triple, double, stolen base, three RBIs and three runs scored in a 19-0 win over Roosevelt Monday and batted 2 for 5 with two triples, three RBIs and two runs scored while also allowing one unearned run on two hits with five strikeouts and two walks in a five-inning 19-1 win over Kahuku Wednesday

Elisa Favela, Campbell — Allowed one run on three hits with 10 strikeouts in a complete game 3-1 win over Leilehua Thursday

Kristin Frost, Pearl City — Tossed a complete-game no-hitters in a 5-0 win over Waipahu Saturday

Kayla Higuchi, Aiea — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, four RBIs and a run scored in a 12-4 win over McKinley Tuesday

Christine Hipa, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run, triple, five RBIs and a run scored in a 14-3 win over Saint Francis Wednesday

Tamia Hirano, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 3 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored in a 10-0 win over Iolani Thursday

Erica Inagaki, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 4 with three RBIs and a run scored in a 10-0 win over Iolani Thursday and batted 2 for 3 with a double and four RBIs in a 4-0 win over Punahou Saturday

Makamae Kaleikini, Moanalua — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run, double, walk, four RBIs and a three runs scored in a 19-1 win over Kahuku Wednesday

Grace Kapesi, McKinley — Batted 3 for 5 with a home run and two RBIs in a 16-2 win over Radford Saturday

Shawn Kauwalu, Waialua — Batted 4 for 4 with two home runs, four RBIs and two runs scored in a 16-5 win over Farrington Friday

Emma Kawalaea, Nanakuli — Batted 3 for 4 with two home runs, a double, four RBIs and two runs scored in a 24-2 win over Kalaheo Saturday

Aubree Kim, Mililani — Tossed a three-hit complete game with 12 strikeouts and one walk in a 6-0 win over Waianae Thursday and allowed one unearned run on five hits with 10 strikeouts and one walk in a complete-game 2-1 win over Campbell Saturday

Haley Kodama, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, four RBIs and two runs scored in a 14-3 win over Saint Francis Wednesday

Shearyna Labasan, Maryknoll — Tossed a complete-game three-hitters in a 4-0 win over Punahou Saturday

Leilani Lastimosa, Kailua — Batted 3 for 3 with two doubles and a run scored in a 5-3 loss to Kaiser Monday

Robi Lono, Kailua — Batted 3 for 4 with two doubles in a 5-3 loss to Kaiser Monday

Karly Macadangdang, Mililani — Doubled, drove in two runs and scored twice in a 6-0 win over Waianae Thursday

Chrissi Omalza, Moanalua — Batted 2 for 4 with two doubles, three RBIs and a run scored in a 19-0 win over Roosevelt Monday and batted 3 for 4 with two doubles and an RBI in a 13-2 win over Kailua Saturday

Alexis Paulo-Meyers, Nanakuli — Batted 3 for 4 with two home runs, four RBIs and two runs scored in a 24-2 win over Kalaheo Saturday

Precious Paulo-Meyers, Nanakuli — Batted 4 for 4 in a 14-1 win over Kalaheo Saturday

Brooke Sauer, Kamehameha — Batted 3 for 3 with three doubles, one RBI and two runs scored in a 14-3 win over Saint Francis Wednesday

Taira Shibata, Aiea — Batted 2 for 3 with a double and three RBIs in a 23-1 win over Anuenue Saturday

Raisa Strom-Okimoto, Aiea — Scattered seven hits in a complete game 5-0 win over Waialua Thursday

Taylor Takushi, Moanalua — Batted 3 for 3 with a walk, stolen base, two RBIs and three runs scored in a 19-0 win over Roosevelt Monday and batted 2 for 4 with a double, walk, two RBIs and three runs scored in a 19-1 win over Kahuku Wednesday

Brazzlyn Tovio-Asato, Pac-Five — Batted 2 for 4 with a triple and three RBIs in an 8-1 win over Mid-Pacific Wednesday

Ashley Van Gleson, Nanakuli — Homered, doubles and drove in four runs in a 24-2 win over Kalaheo Saturday

Delcie Williams, Kailua — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run, double and two RBIs in a 13-2 loss to Maoanalua Saturday

Jade Yadao-Valdez, Mililani — Batted 4 for 4 with two stolen bases and two runs scored in a 6-0 win over Waianae Thursday

Leisha Yamauchi, Moanalua — Batted 3 for 5 with a triple, double, three RBIs and a run scored in a 19-1 win over Kahuku Wednesday and batted 3 for 5 with a home run, two doubles, five RBIs and a run scored also allowed two runs, one earned, with seven strikeouts and no walks in a complete game 13-2 win over Kailua Saturday