The junior second baseman and senior pitcher led their respective teams to league titles. ScoringLive photo illustration

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Male Athlete of the Week: Richard Akana III, Radford baseball
Last weekend's Oahu Interscholastic Association Division II baseball title was a long time coming for Richard Akana III.

The Radford senior and fourth-year starter was instrumental in leading his team to its first league championship in eight seasons with a pair of dominating performances in wins over Kaimuki and Waipahu.

Akana, a 6-foot, 180-pound right-hander, struck out nine batters and worked a three-hit shutout in Friday's 10-0 win over the Bulldogs that was called after five innings due to the mercy rule. He threw 51 of his 75 total pitches for strikes (68 percent), including first-pitch strikes to 10 of the 19 batters he faced and issued a season-low one base on balls. Akana, who bats clean-up for the Rams, also went 3 for 3 at the plate, with a third-inning home run and finished with a pair of runs batted in.

In Saturday's championship game against the previously-undefeated Marauders, Akana went 3 for 4 with four RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored. He belted a towering fly ball that bounced over the wall in left field for a ground rule double in a four-run fifth inning as Radford pulled away with a 14-2 win in five innings.

"He's been pretty much doing that all year for us," Rams coach Jacob Sur said. "He kind of struggled a little bit offensively in the beginning of the year. it wasn't because he wasn't working or anything, (but) his strength has really developed over these last few years and as the coaches and I say, he's becoming a man amongst boys. You'll see him in practice sometimes two or three or four balls out in (batting practice), which you hardly see, and I think he was seeing that and he was getting a little bit too big in his swing. We try to preach gap-to-gap (hitting) and he was maybe trying to do too much, but he's settled down now and he definitely has the skill, so it wasn't a big surprise because he's been doing it for the past two, three years for us."

It was the fifth OIA title in program history and its third in D2. Radford reached the league final in each of the previous two seasons, but lost to Waianae and Farrington, respectively.

"It was awesome because Richard has been on our team for four years now so he's been disappointed in his first three years in the OIAs," Sur said. "His freshman year we got upset in the semis by Kalaheo and then his sophomore and junior years we lost in the championship game both times, so definitely to have him go out on top in the OIA is definitely a great accomplishment for him."

When Akana is not on the mound — where he has a perfect 4-0 record and has yet to allow an earned run this season — he typically plays third base, but has also seen time at second base and shortstop over the years.

"Pitching wise, he's got that bulldog mentality. He has a little bit of overpowering stuff, which he's definitely developed over this past year, but he just has that presence about him on the mound and he's very competitive," Sur said. "You just get that feeling when he's up there that he's gonna dominate because he's not gonna give in to much," Sur said.

Akana's fastball sits between 84 and 86 miles per hour and tops out around 88, Sur said. He also utilizes a curveball and a change-up in his repertoire.

"The change-up is still a work in progress, but those first two pitches he's pretty on with it," Sur said.

In 22 2/3 innings pitched, Akana has surrendered just 11 hits. He has struck out 36 batters and walked just 14.

Akana has proven to be just as dangerous with the bat in his hands. He has seven multi-hit games this season and has registered at least one base knock in nine of Radford's 12 games this season. Akana is batting .563 with 19 RBI and 13 runs scored. Ten of his 18 total hits have gone for extra bases.

Not to be overlooked is the defense Akana provides at the hot corner.

"The reason why he's at third is because he has probably our strongest arm and he makes the plays with bunts and throws down the line," Sur said. "The biggest thing with him is his competitiveness. He wants it more than a lot of the boys. I mean, everybody works hard, especially with these final teams in the state tournament, but it just comes down to who wants it more and I think he's one of those guys that definitely want it."

Competitiveness and athleticism aside, Sur points to Akana's growth off the field as a key contributor to his continued improve on the diamond.

"You saw him struggle with putting his academics first in his freshman and sophomore years, where he would just think about baseball. I constantly had to be on him every day and make sure he did all his stuff, but you see now in his junior and senior years that he's stepped up and he had a 3.6 (grade point average) this year, so he's taking it more seriously and it's led to him just doing the little stuff — being the first not he field, doing extra work off the field — and you're seeing him a little bit more focused now in practice," Sur said.

"He's one of our captains this year and he's shown leadership amongst his teammates, picking them up and taking on that role of getting the younger guys on track, that's where he has stepped up a lot," Sur said. "He's always been very talented skill wise for our team, it was just kind of buying into the other stuff, being a leader on and off the field, even on campus. He's gotten very mature and he's definitely stepping up to the plate in that area. I'm definitely proud of him and all the hard work he's put in throughout these years and it's showing now."

Sur said that Akana has a scholarship offer from Missouri Western State University and has also drawn heavy interest from UH-Hilo.

"I think a lot of them like him because of his velocity, they like him as a pitcher, but they also like his athletic ability and they're not afraid to use him on the field as well. Plus, they like his swing," Sur said.

Akana and the Rams (10-2) will represent the OIA in next week's Wally Yonamine Foundation Division II State Championships at Vidinha Stadium on Kauai.

Female Athlete of the Week: Maya Matsubara, Punahou softball
Getting on base and scoring runs make up a large portion of Maya Matsubara's job duties as the leadoff batter for the Punahou softball team and while she has excelled in that regard — see her team-best 31 hits and 32 runs scored — the junior second baseman put on a power display last week.

Matsubara, who stands 5 feet, 5 inches tall and is a third-year starter for the Buffanblu, batted 3 for 4 with a pair of home runs in last Tuesday's 12-9 win over Iolani. She drove in a season-high four runs and scored three times as Punahou improved to 16-3 and clinched the Interscholastic League of Honolulu Division I championship with the victory.

"She was outstanding," Buffanblu coach David "Boy" Eldredge said of Matsubara. "She's had power — she's taken balls out before — but the power numbers were a little bit more quiet this year and so we were a little bit concerned, but these last few games she's been getting her doubles and home runs again so I'm hoping she's peaking at the right time."

It's not as if Matsubara had been slumping — she's carrying a healthy .492 batting average on the year and has hit safely in all 18 games she has had a plate appearance in. She has 11 extra-base hits this year, including four home runs and six doubles. Matsubara has driven in 18 runs with 10 walks and six stolen bases.

In Punahou's last three games, Matsubara has batted a combined 8 for 12 (.750) with three home runs, five RBI and seven runs scored.

"She went through about three or four games in the middle of the season where she wasn't getting her hits, so she kind of worked through a short period where she wasn't normal self, but then she got out of that and she's back to the Maya that we know here as we finish up the year, so she's stepped up at the right time," Eldredge said.

After lining out in her first at-bat Tuesday, Matsubara reached base with a one-out single her next time up in the bottom of the third. She eventually came around to score on a home run by D'Asha Saiki, which cut the Raiders' lead to 5-3. However, the Buffanblu scored two more runs in the inning to tie the game at 5.

Iolani reclaimed the lead with a solo home run to lead off the top of the fourth inning, but Matsubara answered with a two-run home run in the bottom of the frame to give her team the lead for good.

"When she stays behind the ball and works that left-center gap that's when she's at her best," Eldredge said of the left-hand hitting Matsubara. "She's really good at that."

Ashanti Martinez added a three-run home run later in the fourth to make it a 10-6 Punahou lead, but the Raiders pushed across three runs in the top of the fifth inning, including back-to-back solo home runs, to make it a one-run game.

Matsubara provided some much-needed insurance runs in the bottom of the fifth with her two-out, two-run homer to center field after working the count full.

Iolani loaded the bases with one out in the top of the seventh inning and had the go-ahead run at the plate, but Martinez induced a game-ending double play to seal the victory for the Buffanblu.

"We actually needed that," Eldredge said of Matsubara's second long ball. "Iolani can score two, three runs in any inning and that last inning it came down to that — they were full base and if that hit goes another way we're still playing — so that was huge to get that home run and a little bit of breathing room there. Ultimately, it didn't matter in the game, but for us old coaches our heart gets to beating a little bit again so it's good."

Eldredge said of the most impressive parts of Matsubara's game is her two-strike hitting.

"She takes pitches all the time and it drives me nuts to be honest because she'll get a 3-1 count or a 2-1 count and take (a pitch) down the middle and I'm pulling my hair out, but that next 2-2 pitch she'll drive a double, but she's been doing that and I'm still trying to get used to her doing that, but when it gets to two strikes she's dangerous," Eldredge said.

As a freshman two years ago, Matsubara started in the outfield before moving to second base last season, where she has formed quite the double-play duo with Saiki — a Cal-Berkeley signee — at shortstop. The pair turned two double plays against the Raiders Tuesday.

"I don't see all the teams around the state enough, but Maya and D'Asha, I mean, they gotta be up there with some of the top double-play combinations," Eldredge said. "They've been turning a bunch for the last couple years, so we're always looking for ground balls when people are on base because those two can get it."

Versatility is a big part of Matsubara's game. Earlier in the season she even saw time in the pitching circle with junior Briahni Alejo out due to injury.

"We actually converted Maya into a pitcher for the first half of the year until Bri came back. and if we had to move things around, she would be the other short stop. She's also an excellent outfielder. She may end up as a center fielder in college, so she can play a bunch of different positions," Eldredge said.

Eldredge spoke about the relationship between Matsubara and her father Marc, an assistant on the coaching staff.

"He can be hard on Maya and I remember at one point I asked her, ‘Hey, are you okay with this?,' and she just smiled and said, ‘You know what, I've lived with this all my life. I got it, coach,' so they have a wonderful relationship and Marc has been really great for her, helping her along and a big part of the reason she's where she's at. He'll get tough on her, and all the girls to be honest, but she knows how to take it, so it's been good," Eldredge said.

Matsubara is the only non-senior of the three captains on this year's squad.

"Maya accepted it from the start and she has the respect of al the girls. When she speaks, they listen, so it's been good," Eldredge said. "Just the other day at practice she had an underclassman behind her and they're working infielder drills and you can see her encouraging her and helping her along with some of the things that she's been missing, so she's been a real good leader that way."

As a sophomore last year, Matsubara was selected first team All-ILH and second team All-Hawaii. Amongst the state's leader in Division I this season, she ranks third in runs scored, tied for third in hits and is 16th in batting average.

"She's just a high-quality, very well-balanced young lady," Eldredge said. "Her leadership and her athletic ability as a softball player is tremendous, but she's also like a 3.9 (GPA) student. She's received awards for her academics, she's popular with her friends and she's just a very well-rounded young lady. She's just been consistent throughout her career and it just keeps getting better. We're happy to have her one more year after this. I'm just really proud of her and happy she's in our program; I love that girl."

Matsubara and the sixth-ranked Buffanblu (16-3) are seeded second in this week's DataHouse Division I State Championships. They open tournament play against either No. 9 Kaiser or No. 3 Roosevelt in Thursday's quarterfinal round. First pitch is scheduled for approximately 5 p.m. at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

BASEBALL
Jalen Ah Yat, Kailua — Batted 2 for 3 with two home runs, and five RBI in a win over Leilehua

Dan Ahuna, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Batted 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored in a win over Konawaena

Maui Ahuna, Hilo — Batted 3 for 4 with a walk, one stolen base and two RBI in a win over Waiakea

Parker Almeida, Seabury Hall — Struck out six, walked none and allowed one run on three hits in a win over Molokai

Baron Arquero, Castle — Struck out four, walked two and allowed six hits in six scoreless innings pitched in a win over Moanalua

Tai Atkins, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Allowed one earned run on two hits with nine strikeouts and one walk in 5 2/3 innings pitched in a win over Konawaena

Jake Basque, Konawaena — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, a sacrifice fly, four RBI, one stolen base and three runs scored in a win over Hawaii Prep

Tatelan Bates, Maui — Allowed one unearned run on three hits with three strikeouts and three walks in a complete-game win over Kamehameha-Maui

Blitzen Benz, Waialua — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run and four RBI in a win over McKinley

Tevin Canda, Konawaena — Batted 2 for 3 with a double, five RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored in a win over Hawaii Prep

Tristan Catan, Kamehameha-Maui — Allowed two earned runs on three hits with six strikeouts and three walks in six innings pitched in a loss to Maui

Curtis Chung Jr., Kaiser — Allowed one earned run on six hits with four strikeouts and a walk in five innings pitched in a win over Moanalua

Shyden Cordero, Leilehua — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run, double, three RBI and three runs scored in a win over Roosevelt

Reggie Eiland, Maryknoll — Tripled, drew a walk, drove in three runs and scored twice in a win over PAC-5

Bryson Ewaliko, Kailua — Allowed one run on five his with six strikeouts and three walks in a five-inning win over Leilehua

Jonah Faasoa, Kaimuki — Batted 2 for 2 with a home run, two walks and two runs scored in a win over Kalaheo

Cade Fernandez, Moanalua — Batted 4 for 4 with a triple, double, four RBI and a stolen base in a win over Aiea

Ocean Gabonia, Hilo — Allowed one earned run on three hits with eight strikeouts and three walks in 7 1/3 innings pitched in a win over Waiakea

Kennedy Hara, Mid-Pacific — Batted 3 for 3 with three doubles, three RBI and a run scored in a win over Maryknoll

Jacob Hinderleider, Iolani — Batted 3 for 4 with two RBI and a run scored in a loss to Saint Louis

River Iaea, Damien — Allowed two runs on six hits with five strikeouts and one walk in 6 2/3 innings pitched in a loss to Saint Francis

Kayde Iranon, Kailua — Batted 3 for 4 with two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kaiser

Leo Ishii-Hao, Kapolei — Allowed two earned runs on seven hits with two strikeouts and two walks in six innings pitched in a loss to Castle

Cole Kashimoto, Saint Louis — Batted 3 for 4 with a double, RBI and a run scored in a win over Iolani and batted 4 for 4 with a walk, RBI and two runs scored in a win over Mid-Pacific

Cody Kunimitsu, Waiakea — Batted 2 for 4 with a triple, double, two RBI and two runs scored in a loss to Hilo

Joshua Lee, Waipahu — Batted 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored in a win over Waialua

Caleb Lomavita, Saint Louis — Allowed one earned run on 11 hits with eight strikeouts and one walk in six innings pitched in a win over Iolani and batted 2 for 3 with a walk and three runs scored in a win over Mid-Pacific

Matthew Lukins, Radford — Batted 4 for 4 with two triples, two RBI, three stolen bases and three runs scored in a win over Kaimuki and batted 3 for 5 with a triple, RBI and four runs scored in a win over Waipahu

Lee Matsuzaki, Mid-Pacific — Batted 2 for 4 with a triple, two RBI, a stolen base and two runs scored in a loss to Saint Louis

Daniel May, Radford — Batted 1 for 3 with an RBI and allowed two runs on two hits with three strikeouts and two walks in a five-inning win over Waipahu

Zakaia Michaels, Kamehameha-Hawaii — Batted 2 for 4 with a triple, three RBI and a run scored in a win over Konawaena

Micah Miyahira, Iolani — Batted 3 for 4 with two doubles, five RBI and a stolen base in a win over Punahou

Z Miyashiro, Moanalua — Allowed two runs on five hits with two walks in a complete-game win over Aiea

Mason Moananu, Kaimuki — Tossed four scoreless innings of one-hit ball with three strikeouts and one walk in a win over Kalaheo

JT Navyac, Saint Louis — Batted 1 for 1 with a sacrifice, one walk and four RBI and tossed a complete game eight-hitter in a win over Mid-Pacific

Kalua Neves, Kailua — Batted 2 for 5 with a home run and five RBI in a win over Kaiser

Brayden Nomura, Saint Francis — Allowed one unearned run on five hits with one strikeout and one walk in 5 1/3 innings pitched in a win over Damien

Vance Oshiro, Mililani — Allowed one run on five hits with five strikeouts and one walk in 5 2/3 innings of relief in a win over Kaiser

Kiyo Perry, Saint Francis — Allowed one hit with five strikeouts and four walks in five scoreless innings pitched in a win over Damien

Makana Poole, Saint Francis — Batted 3 for 3 with a double, one stolen base and two runs scored in a win over Hanalani

Makana Quia-Estanique, Waipahu — Batted 2 for 2 with a double and three RBI and allowed one unearned run with 11 strikeouts and three walks in a complete-game no-hitter in a win over Waialua

Tyler Quinn, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 2 with two triples, four RBI and a run scored in a win over PAC-5

Kapono Rawlins, Kamehameha — Allowed one run on seven hits with nine strikeouts and no walks in a complete-game win over Saint Louis

Ian Rivera, Castle — Batted 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored in a win over Moanalua

Dayton Robinson, Campbell — Walked, put down a sacrifice, scored twice and allowed two runs on three hits with six strikeouts and four walks in five innings pitched in a win over Kailua

Varen Sabino, Campbell — Allowed two earned runs on six hits with six strikeouts and four walks in 6 2/3 innings pitched in a loss to Mililani

Brandon Sarae, Kailua — Batted 3 for 5 with an RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kaiser

Hunter Sasaki, Leilehua — Batted 3 for 5 with two doubles, two RBI, a stolen base and three runs scored in a win over Roosevelt

Shane Sasaki, Iolani — Batted 3 for 4 with a run scored in a loss to Saint Louis and batted 4 for 4 with a triple, four RBI, a stolen base and three runs scored in a win over Punahou

Orin Caleb Sherman, Farrington — Homered and drove in three runs and allowed one run on four hits with two strikeouts and four walks in 3 1/3 innings pitched in a win over Waianae

Jason Shiigi, Mililani — Allowed two runs on two hits with five strikeouts and two walks in six innings pitched in a win over Campbell

Reece Shioji, Farrington — Batted 2 for 3 with a triple, double, two RBI and two runs scored in a win over Waianae

Ayzek Silva, Campbell — Struck out 10, walked three and allowed one hit in a complete-game shutout of Farrington

Fabian Silva-Pokipala, Castle — Allowed one unearned run on seven hits with one strikeout and one walk in 5 2/3 innings pitched in a win over Kapolei

Hailama Swartman, Maryknoll — Allowed two runs on three hits with six strikeouts and no walks in a complete-game win over PAC-5

Rylan Terakawa, Roosevelt — Tripled, drew a walk, drove in three runs and scored a run in a loss to Leilehua

Aaron Ujimori, Iolani — Batted 3 for 4 with a stolen base and a run scored in a loss to Saint Louis and allowed three runs on nine hits with two strikeouts and no walks in a five-inning win over Punahou

Vincente Venenciano, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 4 with a double, three RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in a win over Punahou

Richie Vidal III, Saint Louis — Allowed two earned runs on nine hits with eight strikeouts and no walks in seven innings pitched in a loss to Kamehameha

Shane Vogt, Radford — Batted 2 for 4 with a triple, double, two RBI and a run scored in a win over Kaimuki

Charles Winchester, Mililani — Tossed four scoreless inning of one-hit ball with two strikeouts and a walk in a win over Castle

Micah Yonamine, Iolani — Batted 3 for 3 with a sacrifice in a win over Punahou

BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Kalai Anderson, Seabury Hall — Had 13 kills, 26 digs and three block assists in a five-set win over Molokai

Kupono Browne, Iolani — Had 19 kills, 11 digs, one solo block and a block assist in a four-set win over Punahou

Reggaen Eugenio, Kalaheo — Had 43 assists, five digs and four block assists in a three-set win over Castle and had 35 assists, four kills and three block assists in a four-set loss to Moanalua

Cole Fukumitsu, Moanalua — Had 31 assists, four digs, one kill and an ace in a three-set win over Leilehua and had 48 assists, two block assists and one ace in a four-set win over Kalaheo

Shane Harimoto, Iolani — Had 42 assists, three digs, three block assists, three aces and two kills in a four-set win over Punahou

Bradyn Hipa, Kalaheo — Had 15 digs, one assist and an ace in a three-set win over Castle

Kawai Hong, Punahou — Had 17 kills, eight digs, one solo block, one block assist and an assist in a four-set loss to Iolani

Kahea Kamalani, Kaiser — Had 15 kills and a block assist in a three-set loss to Farrington

Jacob Kamanao, Pearl City — Had 18 kills, two digs and two aces in a four-set win over Nanakuli

Tory Kato, Mililani — Had 20 assists, one kill and a block assist in a two-set win over Farrington

Sean Malaki, Pearl City — Had 44 assists, three block assists, one kill and a dig in a four-set win over Nanakuli

Jaysen Matsumoto, Castle — Had 22 assists, six digs, two block assists, two aces and one kill win three-set loss to Kalaheo

DiAeris McRaven, Moanalua — Had 17 kills, four digs and four block assists in a three-set win over Leilehua and had 16 kills, one solo block and a block assist in a four-set win over Kalaheo

Tyler Russell, Seabury Hall — Had 18 kills, 15 digs and three block assists in a five-set win over Molokai

Max Slaughter, Moanalua — Had 17 kills, one dig, an ace and one block assist in a three-set win over Leilehua and had 27 kills, one ace and a block assist in a four-set win over Kalaheo

Sonny Tofi, Pearl City — Had 21 kills, two aces and a dig in a four-set win over Nanakuli

Tyler Wemple, Kalaheo — Had 18 kills, seven digs, two solo blocks, one block assist and two aces in a three-set win over Castle and had 12 kills and a block assist in a four-set loss to Moanalua

Liam York, Kalaheo — Had 19 kills, 10 digs, two solo blocks, one block assist and an ace in a three-set win over Castle and had 19 kills, two block assists and one ace in a four-set loss to Moanalua

Brian Zhou, Kaiser — Had 25 assists and one block assist in a three-set loss to Farrington

SOFTBALL
Aleia Agbayani, Iolani — Homered, had a sacrifice fly, walked twice, drove in two runs, stolen a base and scored twice in a loss to Punahou

Aloha Akaka, Maryknoll — Batted 4 for 4 with a double, RBI and a run scored in a win over Kamehameha

Mahalo Akaka, Maryknoll — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run, double and two runs scored in a win over Kamehameha

Kai Barrett, Iolani — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, walk and two RBI in a loss to Punahou

Allie Capello, Iolani — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run, double, two RBI and two runs scored in a loss to Punahou

Seraya Casco, Lahainaluna — Allowed three hits with three strikeouts and two walks in seven scoreless innings of relief in a win over Baldwin

Kanoe Costorio-Meyer, McKinley — Batted 2 for 3 with a walk, three RBI and two runs scored in a win over Kahuku

Madison Cristobal, McKinley — Batted 2 for 2 with two walks and an RBI and allowed one earned run on four hits with four strikeouts and two walks in a five-inning win over Kahuku

Alize Kaapana, Waiakea — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run, double and three RBI in a loss to Kapolei

Sydney Kamakaiwi, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 3 with two doubles, four RBI and a run scored in a win over Kamehameha

Isha Knight, Kamehameha — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run and two runs scored in a loss to Maryknoll

Destiny Lum, Kamehameha — Batted 2 for 3 with a home run, triple, walk, three RBI and three runs scored in a loss to Maryknoll

Alyssa Mahoe, Kamehameha — Batted 4 for 5 with two RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in a loss to Maryknoll

Ashanti Martinez, Punahou — Batted 3 for 4 with a home run, double and three RBI in a win over Iolani

Puakea Milbourne, Kapolei — Batted 3 for 5 with an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored in a win over Waiakea

Kayli Nakoa, Kapolei — Batted 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBI in a win over Waiakea

D'Asha Saiki, Punahou — Batted 2 for 2 with two home runs, two walks, three RBI and three runs scored in a win over Iolani

Kaylah Santos, Maryknoll — Homered and drove in three runs in a win over Kamehameha

Liliana Thomas, Maryknoll — Batted 2 for 3 with two home runs, a walk and four RBI in a win over Kamehameha