Maui First: Maiava drafted by Browns

By Fred Guzman
MauiToday.TV

The Valley Isle has two players in baseball’s major leagues.  And now, for the first time, a player from Maui was selected in the NFL draft.

Former Baldwin High standout Kaluka Maiava, who played his college ball at USC, appearing in four straight Rose Bowl Games, was chosen early in the fourth round, 104th overall, by the Cleveland Browns.

The outside linebacker will report this week for his first mini-camp, which begins Thursday.

Regarded as a bit undersized at 5-11, 229 pounds, Maiava’s toughness and experience on special teams impressed the Browns front office, which is seeking to overhaul one of the league’s most porous defensive units under new head coach Eric Mangini.

Maiava was not the only player with Hawaii ties selected by the Browns.  Cleveland also picked ex-UH defensive end David Veikune in the second round, 52nd overall.  The 6-3, 257-pounder will likely be moved to outside linebacker because the Browns are switching to a 3-4 defense.

Oregon offensive lineman Max Unger, a 6-5, 305-pounder who starred at Hawaii Prep, was also picked in the second round, 49th overall, by Seattle.
In somewhat of a surprise, Tennessee selected Ryan Mouton in third round with the 94th overall pick.  A safety at UH, Mouton will have to make it in the NFL as a cornerback.
UH long snapper Jake Ingram was picked late in the sixth round, No. 198 overall, by New England because he was ranked by many scouts as the best at the position.
BASEBALL: Both of Maui’s big leaguers enjoyed productive weekends.

Shane Victorino helped defending World Series champion Philadelphia  to a three-game sweep of Florida.

On Friday, the first grandslam homer of Victorino’s career triggered a seven-run outburst in the top of the ninth for a 7-3 win.  On Saturday, he had a pair of hits and scored the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th after stealing a base and coming home on Chase Utley’s single in Philly’s 6-4 victory.  And, on Sunday, Victorino collected another pair of hits and drove in four runs as the Phillies romped to a 13-2 win.

Oakland catcher Kurt Suzuki, meantime, drove in three runs as the Athletics defeated Tampa Bay 7-1.  Suzuki is 9-for-17 over his last five games, lifting his season average to .333.