Knights Prepare For Six More Games On Way To Playoffs

The Castle baseball team’s bye week came right as it was gathering momentum from an impressive two-game sweep of Kahuku. Upon further review, however, to have their break from OIA play come at mid-season may benefit this team with its biggest games still ahead.

“We were really motivated to win, and if we can keep the intensity up, we can build on these games,” said center-fielder/third baseman Eric Akamine, who is currently hitting .417. “At the beginning, we were still getting to know Coach’s style (new head coach Rocky Fraticelli). We’re getting more comfortable with each other and playing more as a team.”

Besides sweeping Kahuku, Castle (2-4) dropped a pair of one-run decisions to Kaiser and Kailua, traditionally two of the league’s top teams. The Knights have six games remaining as they position themselves for the playoffs. They play double-headers against Roosevelt at 11 a.m. Saturday and Moanalua (away) April 7 before closing vs. Kalani April 12- 13.

Akamine recently took time off from the ball field to visit with MidWeek‘s Windward Islander.

How would you assess Castle at the midway point of the season? What’s the key the rest of the way to have the kind of finish you would like? We just have to reduce our errors on defense. We have good pitching, and that always keep us in games.

What area of your game did you focus on in the off-season? My hitting. I went to the batting cages with my friends. I worked on my fielding, too, but mainly my batting.

Who’s had the biggest impact on your life? My father (Jeff). He’s been my coach my whole life, and he’s always encouraged me to work on my game on my own.

What Internet site do you frequent the most? YouTube. I just watch a lot of sports videos or listen to music online. I used to go on Facebook a lot.

What is your least-favorite household chore? Washing the dishes. I don’t like working with dirty dishes.

What movie could you watch over and over?

Forrest Gump. It’s one of my favorite movies of all time.

Who is Castle’s best ‘practice player’ – the guy who gives 110 percent at all times? (Third base-man/pitcher) Dustin Nakayama. He’s the one who practices the hardest all the time. He was voted our captain by the players.

What’s in your iPod? Mainly just music – music that pumps me up for games.

Do you play video games? How do you spend your free time? I don’t play video games anymore – I guess that’s a good thing. Besides baseball, I like going to the beach, and surfing and body boarding.

Are you a neat freak or messy? I’m more on the clean-freak side. I can’t stand a mess in my room and things like that.

If you could have your pick, what celebrity would you choose as your prom date? (Actress) Natalie Portman.

You’re stuck on Kahoolawe and can have an endless supply of only one food. What would it be? Saimin.