It would be difficult for Saint Louis senior shortstop Keith Torres to receive a higher compliment than the one given to him by a rival coach.

“If you have a few of him on your team, you’re going all the way,” Punahou coach Keenan Sue said about the Crusaders’ three-year starter and leadoff man.

Sue continued: “You should see the spray chart we have for him. Hits are drawn in green and outs are red and it looks like a Christmas tree. He hits the ball everywhere.”

More than his skill and more than his will, Torres is a tangible presence in Saint Louis’ lineup.

“Keith has grown every year — physically, emotionally, experience-wise, leadership,” Crusaders coach George Gusman said. “You can’t ask for anything more out of a player. He’s a team captain and we’re very proud of him. He anchors our infield and has made some fabulous plays, some tough plays.”

Eye on states

Torres was a bench player as a freshman in 2014, when Saint Louis won its last state title. He would love to take it full circle this spring at states.

“As a freshman, I got to see all the seniors go out happy,” he said. “This is my senior year and it’s a good chance for me to come back and experience a state championship and actually have a chance to play in it instead of watching. It would bring good memories back for me and (senior starting pitcher) Chase (Meilleur), who came up with me after the JV season when we were freshmen.”

According to Gusman, Torres is always improving.

“It’s the total package,” the coach said. “You look at him, and he’s undersized (5 feet 6, 160 pounds) and you think he doesn’t have any power, but he’s a very, very strong individual. He’s a lot like (former Crusaders and UH standout) Kaeo Aliviado. They don’t look like much, but man can they play.

“Keith can run, hit line drives in the alley; he can hit one out, he can bunt, he can steal bases. He sets the tone as the leadoff batter. During the course of a game, (opponents) are worried because he can be very clutch. And he has a quiet confidence and it’s not boastful. He doesn’t feel like there’s anybody out there that’s going to beat him all the time. Keith is the best shortstop in the state, in my opinion.”

Early beginnings

Torres began playing baseball at age 4 and learned a lot from his father, also named Keith, who played at Waipahu High and in junior college.

“He was a catcher and a center fielder and he made me work at all the positions,” the younger Keith said about his dad. The Torres family of Kapolei also includes mom Phyllis and sister Kitanna.

Whenever he makes an error, Torres said, he tries to shake it off real quick and get ready for the next pitch. One game he’ll never forget was a loss — 5-2 last year to Punahou, eliminating the Crusaders from qualifying for states — because of the fight it will give him and his teammates (and anybody else who wants to listen to his tale) in the future.

“We gave a good battle,” Torres said. “It taught us to never give up because there’s another year or another day that we get to live and can always renew that. That’s one story I’ll never forget to tell.”

Baseball blooper

Torres also will never forget the time during practice that his shoelaces were untied and his shoes got caught under him while he was going for a throw from the catcher to second base. In a split second, he went from standing straight up to down on the ground, giving teammates and coaches a good laugh.

“It was hilarious,” he said.

Sure, Torres has a lighter side, but he yearns for the super competitive moments.

“I like to be in tough situations — two outs, a ground ball with a runner on third as the tying run; or being at the plate, trying to bring in the winning run. I like when there’s pressure. It always feels good to strive when you are in a pressure situation.”

It’s possible he’ll be finding those moments at the next level. Cal State Bakersfield has shown interest and it’s possible he will go the junior college route at San Jacinto in Pasadena, Texas.

Either way, Gusman will be grooming a replacement at shortstop.

“Keith is a grateful, humble young man,” the coach said. “I’m going to miss him and his whole family, actually. You have kids like Keith for three years and all of a sudden they’re going and leaving a void in so many ways. Whoever plays shortstop for us next season will have big shoes to fill.”