Iolani won the title last season behind Mitzi Ing, who finished off the Raiders' run through the tournament with a perfect game against Mililani in the championship game. Baldwin is one of a handful of teams in this year's tournament with an ace who can carry the team. For the Maui Interscholastic League champion Bears, Shannon Tabion is that pitcher. She can compete with any pitcher in the state. She can throw them all for strikes.
Strikes are what Tabion aims for.
Her intention is to sit every batter down. Souza said he's had to encourage Tabion to try to let the defense do some of the work, which is something many of the state's top pitchers do. They let the defense help. He points to Mililani sophomore ace Miki Asamura as an example. Miki doesn't have a dominant fastball.