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Kekahuna, Harmon reunite at Weber State

Baldwin grads begin fall practice with Wildcats

By Robert Collias 5 min read

When it comes to softball, Saree-Ann Kekahuna and Aliya Harmon belong together.

The two Baldwin High School graduates reunited on the diamond at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah, this week for school and fall practice -- Harmon is an incoming freshman, while Kekahuna is beginning her sophomore year.

With the coronavirus pandemic halting each of their seasons in the spring -- leading to another year of eligibility for Kekahuna after she appeared in 19 games for the 10-14 Wildcats -- both former Bears have four years of college softball left.

"First day of online classes was this week Monday, so getting the groove of spending college basically in study hall rooms and dorm rooms, via Zoom," Harmon said. "But, yeah, first practice was Monday. ... I love it."

Having Kekahuna on campus is a big plus for Harmon -- the two have known each other since they were toddlers and have played together for more than a decade. For Baldwin, they were pitcher (Harmon) and catcher (Kekahuna).

"It's amazing, I literally would not pick a different person to spend four more years playing softball with from back home," Harmon said. "Definitely I am excited to play with her again. One year was too long away from her."

Harmon has elected not to pitch, at least as a freshman, as she chases playing time in the infield, most likely at second base.

"Well, I made the decision to not pitch in college awhile ago just because you're kind of limited as a pitcher in college, running, hitting, like that, and I wanted the full experience," Harmon said. "So, I will play shortstop, second base, wherever they need me. Hitting is everything for softball. If you can hit, you're in the lineup, no matter what. So, they'll find a spot for you."

Kekahuna started twice for the Wildcats as a freshman before the season was halted in mid-March. She did not record a hit in six at-bats, but scored three runs and gained a ton of knowledge.

Like Harmon, Kekahuna is overjoyed to have her longtime friend along for the ride this season.

"It's funny because yesterday I texted her and I just, like, 'It's crazy how long we've been together,' " said Kekahuna, who was the Maui Interscholastic League Division I Player of the Year in 2019. "She said, 'Yeah, three more years,' and I was, like, 'It might be four because we got the option to take our corona year because we got cut short last year.'

"She was, like, 'It's going to be one heck of a ride.' It would be eight years, playing together (since the start of high school). I don't think anybody else has had that chance, from Maui at least."

The two have been club teammates for more than 10 years, most recently with the Maui Titans.

"Pretty much, we played club ball together from when we were young," Kekahuna said. "I think that connection we have really helps us."

Kekahuna said things are going well in school and as fall practice has gotten underway. The team is split into two groups to help with social distancing for practice sessions.

"So Utah right now there isn't a lot of cases as far as COVID," Kekahuna said. "We've been able to have on-campus classes, it's restricted, so it's not a lot, more online than anything else. Our restrictions for softball, staying safe, we split into two groups, we lift on different days.

"So, it's kind of sucky right now during the fall, but hopefully when things clear out we'll be able to be back together as a team."

Kekahuna saw playing time at third base as well as her favorite spot of catcher as a freshman. The Baldwin pair could see time together on the infield, but Kekahuna knows it's important for Harmon to experience a lot of the aspects of college life for herself.

Baldwin head coach Sanoe Kekahuna played collegiately at Cal and is Saree-Ann's older sister by 12 years.

"Talking to my sister, just getting some pointers on what I should do as not just a friend but as a teammate," Saree-Ann Kekahuna said. "There were some things that I went through last year that I felt I had to go through them to learn, you know? So, even if it was a little hard for me and it would be hard for (Harmon) to go through, I would want her to go through it on her own instead of just telling her. ... I think she needs to experience that for herself.

"As far as teammate-wise, of course, I fill her in on the little things, including new plays. For me, it was very difficult."

Weber State coach Mary Kay Amicone is happy to have the dynamic duo.

"I have a situation, yes, where they played one or the other together, either club or high school team together, pitcher and catcher, but it was certainly not from Hawaii," Amicone said. "I think it's tremendous -- I mean, they know each other. They know what to expect from one another and for one to be just a year further along than the other also helps the transition. I'm looking forward to that, but they also come with great leadership potential and because they've done that, that's also helpful."

Amicone is hopeful that the softball season will be played in the spring in the Big Sky Conference.

"Absolutely, I'm very optimistic," she said. "I know that right now everybody in the fall is transitioning and adjusting to COVID and just getting them back on campus and in a healthy routine to start, I think we're going to be out there in the spring."

* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com.

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