Math-lovin’ Wago is helping Mid-Pacific add up the wins

On the surface, he’s all about numbers.

A success in a game that’s about the minutiae of numbers, the risks and percentages of every coach’s decision, every batter’s swing, every pitcher’s pitch.

Mid-Pacific senior Chase Wago loves his numbers. Math is his thing. His mom fed him mathematical problems at age 6. He thought it was FUN. His favorite teacher now is a math teacher. And he considers AP Calculus to be even more fun.

But when it comes to the game with foul lines that extend to infinity, Wago boils it all down to its essence. The keys to success?

>> Hitting: “Don’t try to do too much.”

Wago hit .332 last season.

>> Pitching: “Throw strikes.”

He was a Star-Advertiser All-State second-team selection as a pitcher.

>> Fielding: “Always expect the ball.”

He plays some first base for No. 4-ranked MPI when he’s not pitching, but has a background playing the outfield. That combination of skills reminds MPI coach Dunn Muramaru of a former Owl who graduated in 2008: current intermediate assistant coach Matt McDaniel.

Long before the Bronco World Series and a high school state championship, the Wago name was familiar to Muramaru. He was a coach at Kalani a generation ago when Wago’s father, Randall, was a standout player at Kaimuki.

“He was a lefty, too,” Muramaru recalled.

Young Chase grew up in Ewa, playing for the Hurricanes, a team that won the Bronco World Series in 2010.

“I played with all the (later) Campbell players: Dorrien Hermosura, Ian Kahaloa, Kila Kapihe. I remember when we were younger, we weren’t very good,” said Wago, who was a pitcher and right fielder. “The year we won the World Series, we didn’t lose all year.”

Wago says he doesn’t remember how many games they won in that epic year, but this math whiz can be forgiven. He was just 12 then. Since eighth grade, it’s been a daily trek from Ewa to the MPI campus in Manoa, including Muramaru’s legendary and normally heavily attended optional Sunday workouts.

“I had thoughts when I’d see them in the summer,” he said of his path to high school. “But if I hadn’t gone to Mid-Pacific, I would’ve had regrets, education-wise and baseball-wise. I’ve learned a lot.”

Before any math geniuses at Campbell get riled up, it’s a tough argument against the road Wago followed. Though he hasn’t been a part of the math club at MPI, he probably could, given more free time. His mother, Robyn, helps the math team where she teaches, Aiea High School.

“She’s always given me math worksheets when I was in elementary school (The Children’s House). I was maybe 6, 7 years old,” Wago said. “I thought it was fun.”

Now is the time to chase dreams. MPI won the state tourney in 2013 while Wago was a freshman. He started for the first time that spring during the ILH playoffs, helping the Owls get past Saint Louis. He was due to pitch in the state tourney final on Maui.

“That morning, my coaches told me I would start instead of our first baseman, Daniel Fentriss,” he said.

Inclement weather postponed the contest. When the game was played on Oahu two days later, he had a perfect view from the dugout.

“Our ace (Trey Saito) pitched. He gave up two runs that year,” Wago said. “I was kind of relieved.”

It hasn’t been a perfectly smooth ride. The Owls have been close, but just short of state titles since Wago’s freshman year. They began ILH regular-season play last week with a 3-2 win over Punahou with Wago on the mound for five innings. Then came back-to-back 3-2 losses, including one with Wago in relief against Saint Louis on Saturday.

“He was so disturbed after the game,” Muramaru said. “He hardly ever shows emotion, but he showed a little after the game.”

Wago is one of the reasons why Muramaru doesn’t flinch during a rugged ILH season.

“He’s a pretty good kid. I don’t change anything about him. He’s one of the most low-maintenance guys I’ve coached, even no-maintenance,” Muramaru said. “Like they say, that’s who you’d like your daughter to date.”

Not that Wago needs the help.

“He has a girlfriend, though,” Muramaru added. “And he’s pretty committed to her.”

THE HIGH SCHOOL TOP 10

Voted on by coaches and media statewide. First-place votes in parentheses. Ten points for first-place votes, nine for second, etc.

Boys Volleyball

Also receiving votes: Waiakea 9, Kalaheo 5, Punahou I-AA 4, Waianae 3, Kealakehe 2, Saint Louis 1, Molokai 1, Kalani 1.

Baseball

Also receiving votes: Waiakea 20, Maui 17, Campbell 19, Moanalua 13, Kaiser 3, Hilo 1.

Softball

Also receiving votes: Nanakuli 19, Mid-Pacific 11, Lahainaluna 10, Moanalua 6, St. Francis 5, Kamehameha-Hawaii 4. Waiakea 3, Leilehua 3, Konawaena 3, Aiea 2, Konawaena 1, Maui 1.