Saint Francis sophomore shortstop Bubba Akana tags out Damien's Kayson Kajiwara at second base in an ILH Division II contest on March 17. John Lujan | SL

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Freshman Reece Kadota, senior Jared Yara and junior Zach Alcos meet on the mound during a pitching change in an ILH Division II contest against Damien on March 17. John Lujan | SL

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The gray hairs on Saint Francis coach Kip Akana's head may have grown with all the underclassmen on his team, but he's perfectly OK with it.

The youth movement has provided great results for the Saint Francis baseball team so far.

The Saints, who start four sophomores and two freshmen, are sitting pretty atop the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division II standings after clinching the league's regular season title with a 7-5 win over PAC-5 last Saturday.

Winning the regular season the ILH's regular season title gives Saint Francis an added advantage in the league's four-team double-elimination tournament and in determining who receives the ILH's lone berth into the Division II state tournament. If the Saints do not win the ILH's double-elimination tourney, they get to playoff against the winner of the tournament for the league's Division II title and state berth.

"Clinching the regular season was our immediate goal," said Akana. "We basically have two shots at this so we are definitely happy with our current situation."

The Saints' young roster played above their years for the early part of the season, winning their first nine games before dropping a contest. Akana said focusing on the basics helped his team start the season strong.

"We really stressed fundamentals, and the most basics of fundamentals; defensive fundamentals, being able to bunt and contribute. We're excited. We believe we have a young team that can play some really good ball."

Saint Francis didn't win all those games without its fair share of challenges however.

"Jumping out to a 9-0 record early in the season was deceiving," said Akana. "Along the way were in two extremely tight games with PAC-5, had to rally from a late 3-0 deficit against Damien, and recently overcame a three-run deficit with PAC-5."

Of the 18 players on his team, two are freshmen and eight are sophomores.

Freshman Reece Kadota, senior Jared Yara and junior Zach Alcos meet on the mound during a pitching change in an ILH Division II contest against Damien on March 17. John Lujan | SL    Purchase image

"Some of the challenges with such a young team I'd say is keeping them focused from the first to the last pitch of each game, but no matter the situation, this team has showed that they just won't quit," said Akana.

Helping Akana and the Saint Francis coaching staff keep the young group grounded are seniors Jared Yara, Shawn Ellis, reserve Hapa Jeon-Patacsil and three-year varsity junior Zach Alcos.

"They do a great job at keeping their young teammates focused during practice and games," Akana said on his veteran leadership. "They know that their job is to not only perform on the field, but act as mentors."

Yara admitted that working with the younger players has its ups and downs, but knows that the underclassmen have the potential to contend for multiple championships in their prep careers.

"They are getting a lot of experience that will completely help them when it comes to their upperclassmen years," said Yara, a 2016 All-Hawaii Division II First Team utility selection. "They won't be scared of anything and they'll know what to do. When this group of guys becomes upperclassmen, it's going to be a dangerous team."

The Saints have two freshmen and eight total sophomores on their 18-man roster. The top of the lineup has been a steady dose of sophomores Bubba Akana, outfielder JP Tilley and utility man Makana Poole for the entire season. Coach Akana is comfortable with them leading the way after all three started as freshmen last year.

"It actually feels like they are veterans out there," said coach Akana. "JP Tilley gives us steady play in left field. He's a tough out and if he gets on he can create problems on the base paths. We were unsure if Bubba would be able to play this season after breaking his femur in the ILH Division II championship football game against Damien. Fortunately he recovered and provides a lot of range at the shortstop position and has a strong arm and Makana Poole, who also plays third base, has been one of our best hitters the past two seasons."

Yara bats cleanup for the Saints with Ellis and Alcos to follow in the batting lineup. The bottom of the order includes sophomore James Yamasaki, who also pitches and has four wins on the year, and freshmen Chase Akana and Reece Kadota. Sophomore Kiyo Perry has also logged time in the outfield and on the mound for the Saints.

Kadota said playing varsity at such a young age was intimidating at first.

"I'm not sure about anyone else, but I was pretty scared to play because I didn't trust in my own ability to hit the ball or do as good as the other people, but my mom just told me to start believing in myself and just do the best that I can. Coach Kip has also helped by motivating me and telling me that I belong here, and that's why I got pulled up to varsity."

Coach Akana wasn't just blowing smoke either. Kadota has steadily worked his way up the batting order and has given the Saints versatility with his ability to play multiple positions.

"Kadota may be the MVP thus far, not only for his steady hitting, but because he plays right field, third base, shortstop, and second base," said coach Akana. "He actually played all four positions in one game once. Kadota provides the team with much versatility and allows us to send different guys to the mound knowing that he can do the job wherever we put him on the field."

The Saints (11-3) will look to close out the regular season strong when they take on Hanalani at Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park Monday afternoon.