Posted on: Wednesday, May 28, 2008
HOMEGROWN REPORT
HOMEGROWN
Masuda's Dirtbags hosting baseball regionals
By Kalani Takase
Advertiser Staff Writer
Long Beach State reserve catcher Kip Masuda will be the state's lone representative in the 16 NCAA baseball regionals this weekend.
Masuda is a 2005 graduate of Mid-Pacific from Kane'ohe.
The host Dirtbags (37-19), who won their first Big West Conference title since 2003, meet fourth-seeded Fresno State (37-27) in Friday's first round. Second seed California (33-19-2) plays third seed San Diego (41-15) in the regional's other game.
Masuda has seen limited action for LBSU, starting 10 of the 18 games in which he has appeared. The junior batted .265 (9 of 34) with a triple and three runs scored. He holds a .989 fielding percentage.
The Dirtbags have played all three teams in non-conference play previously this season.
Fresno State defeated LBSU, 7-6, in Fresno, Calif. on April 1. San Diego beat LBSU, 4-2, on April 22 and Cal swept the Dirtbags in a three-game series in late March.
LBSU swept Hawai'i in early March in a three-game series at Les Murakami Stadium.
The top eight national seeds in the tournament are: Miami (47-8), North Carolina (46-12), Arizona State (45-11), Florida State (48-10), Cal State Fullerton (37-19), Rice (42-13), LSU (43-16-1) and Georgia (35-21-1).
The College World Series is June 14 to 25 at Omaha, Neb.
MORE BASEBALL
San Diego State senior shortstop Troy Hanzawa (Mid-Pacific '03 of Wahiawa) went 1 for 11 in three games last week in the Mountain West Conference Tournament with his only hit a single in a 1-0 loss to Utah Thursday. The Aztecs went 1-2 and finished with a 31-28 record.
BYU junior first baseman Kasey Ko (Punahou '05 of Kailua) went 0 for 5, but drew three walks in two losses at the Mountain West Tournament. The Cougars ended their season at 22-36.
Penn State junior second baseman Landon Nakata (Punahou '05) went 3 for 12 in three games at the Big Ten Conference Tournament last week in Ann Arbor, Mich. Nakata drove in two runs, scored twice, stole a base and had three sacrifices as the Nittany Lions went 1-2 to finish at 27-31.
Southern Utah junior outfielder Nick Freitas (Kamehameha '05 of Honolulu) batted 6 for 15 with a homer, two RBIs, four runs scored, two walks and a stolen base in The Summit League Tournament last week. The Thunderbirds went 2-2 and were eliminated by Oral Roberts Saturday. Junior second baseman Keli'i Zablan (Saint Louis '05 of 'Ewa Beach) was 4 of 18 with a double, run scored and a walk. Sophomore first baseman Bucky Aona (Punahou '06 of Makakilo) was 4 of 13 with three RBIs, two walks, two runs and one sacrifice and junior corner infielder Chester Wilson (Saint Louis '05 of Honolulu) went 3 for 16 with one walk, a run and he drove in three runs. Sophomore left-handed pitcher Alec Reichle (Kaua'i '04 of Koloa) scattered seven hits and gave up two runs in 6 1/3 innings to earn the win over Western Illinois Friday. Southern Utah ended its season at 31-28.
Creighton senior designated hitter/left fielder Michael Lam (Punahou '03) went 6 for 15 in four games at the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament last week in Wichita, Kan. Lam had two doubles, five RBIs, scored two runs, stole a base and had a sacrifice as the Bluejays went 2-2, concluding their season at 37-21.
Sacramento State senior second baseman Taylor Watanabe ('Aiea '03) went 1 for 9 at the Western Athletic Conference Tournament last week in Ruston, La. The Hornets beat New Mexico State, but lost to Fresno State and Nevada to finish at 24-35.
Central Arizona sophomore outfielder CJ Johnson ('Iolani '06) is batting 10 for 17 (.588) in four games at the NJCAA Junior College World Series in Grand Junction, Colo. He homered twice yesterday as the Vaqueros beat Iowa Western, 28-19, in a wild game that saw coaches and pitchers from both teams ejected in the fourth inning. Johnson has nine RBIs and seven runs scored.
Rochester (N.Y.) sophomore third baseman Blayne Fuke (Mid-Pacific '06) was named First-Team All-Liberty League after batting .360 with 45 hits in 125 at-bats, 29 RBIs and 34 runs scored. He also stole nine bases in 10 attempts.
Abilene Christian (Texas) senior second baseman J.J. Pacheco (St. Anthony '04 of Paia) was named to the NCAA Division II South Central Regional All-Tournament Team two weeks ago after he went 5 for 9 with a triple, double, RBI and a run scored in three games for the Wildcats. Pacheco hit .327 in 48 games with 49 hits in 150 at-bats, 32 RBIs and 33 runs scored. He was 22 for 22 on stolen-base attempts for ACU (44-17).
SOFTBALL
Cal freshman infielder Sanoe Kekahuna (Baldwin '07) went 1 for 7 and scored a run in a pair of losses to No. 1 Florida in the NCAA Super Regional round. The Bears ended their season at 43-27.
Missouri Valley junior shortstop Kimberly Fuller (Roosevelt '05 of Honolulu) was named First-Team All-Heart of America Athletic Conference after batting a team-high .379. She started all 41 games for the Vikings with 47 hits in 124 at-bats, eight home runs, 33 RBIs, 40 runs scored and 13 walks. Fuller had a .438 on-base percentage and slugged .710 to earn HAAC Newcomer of the Year distinction as well. She also was named to MVC's Dean's List for academic achievement.
Teammate Sydney Kaneshiro (Kailua '06 of 'Aiea) earned All-HAAC Honorable Mention honors. The sophomore infielder started 34 of the 36 games in which she appeared, batting .317 with 32 hits, 24 RBIs, 14 runs scored and 10 walks.
MEN'S GOLF
Oregon freshman Sean Maekawa (Honoka'a '07 of Pa'auilo) will compete in the NCAA Championships, today through Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind. Maekawa tied for 122nd at the West Regionals two weeks ago in Bremerton, Wash. The Ducks were second to Southern California in the team competition.
WOMEN'S GOLF
Arizona junior Amanda Wilson (Waiakea '03 of Hilo) shot rounds of 76, 78, 79 and 85 at last week's NCAA Championships in Albuquerque, N.M. to finish in a tie for 105th. Wilson finished at 30-over 318. The Wildcats placed 23rd in the team competition.
Furman (S.C.) freshman Jackie Hilea (Moanalua '07 of Kane'ohe) finished 123rd at 41-over par 328 at the NCAA Championships. Hilea fired rounds of 77, 88, 80 and 84 and the Paladins finished in 24th.
UC Davis freshman Katie Sisler (Punahou '07 of Honolulu) shot a first-round 76, but withdrew due to medical reasons following her second-round 88 at the NCAA Championships. The Aggies finished in 21st.
TRACK & FIELD
Willamette senior Carly Killam (Punahou '03 of Kailua) was eighth in her heat of the 1,500-meter run at the NCAA Division III Championships at Oshkosh, Wis. Her time of 4:40.22 did not qualify for the finals.
Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com.
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