Last Series Recaps - Montana State Billings used a massive third inning to defeat the Saints in the first of five games this weekend.
Zach Alcos started on the mound for SMU (6-16, 1-4 GNAC) and the Yellowjackets (11-12, 2-3 GNAC) got off to a fast start with a leadoff homerun in the first inning.
MSUB did most of their damage in the third inning, scoring seven runs on four hits, no errors and one left on. Kameron Richards replaced Alcos midway through the inning. In the bottom of the third inning, Ryan Oshiro hit a leadoff double to gain some momentum for the Saints. Hunter Kosmider followed that up with a single and Aaron Renaud hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Oshiro and give SMU their first run of the afternoon.
The Yellowjackets score a pair in the seventh inning to push their lead to 10-1. The Saints responded with a rally in the bottom of the ninth inning highlighted by a two-RBI triple from Cody Chavis to close the deficit but MSUB held on to win 10-3.
An early run for the Saints was the lone offensive support as Montana State Billings took the 4-1 pitcher's duel on Saturday.
An RBI double from Mark Steward, scoring Ryne Oshiro in the third inning was the only run the Saints were able to manufacture on the day. However, the Saints had opportunities in the seventh and ninth to cut into the lead but were unable to convert.
It took Montana State Billings five innings before they could break through the Saints' hold. Justice Yamashita held the Yellowjackets scoreless over the first five frames before a solo shot led off the sixth inning.
MSUB scored again in the sixth to take the lead, and they later added to it in the eighth and ninth to take the second game of the series.
Yamashita went sixth plus innings, allowing two runs with six strikeouts. Ryan Driscoll, and Sam McCauley pitched the final three innings out of the pen.
A walk-off sac fly from Reid Little salvaged the doubleheader split with Montana State Billings, 4-3 and 5-0, on Sunday afternoon.
Saint Martin's quickly struck in the opening frame, scoring two on an RBI double from Cody Chavis with two outs. Finnley Butler got the start for the Saints and began with three shutout innings. The Yellowjackets got their first run in the fourth on an RBI double to right to cut into the lead.
Ryne Oshiro extended the Saints' lead in the bottom of the fourth with his RBI single to short, scoring Chavis. With a 3-1 lead, the Yellowjackets got one in the sixth, and tied up the game in the seventh with an RBI single to center.
To begin the bottom of the seventh, Jonathan Shimaburkuro led off with a walk, followed by a single from Aaron Renaud. Mark Steward was intentionally walked to load the bases with nobody out. Little came through in the clutch with a sac fly to deep right to easily score pinch runner Austin Schaler to secure the 4-3 win.
Butler went four innings, allowing the lone run, and struck out one. Brock Wrolstad pitched the final three innings and picked up the win with six strikeouts.
However, the momentum did not carry over for the Saints in the series finale, falling 5-0, while only collecting four hits. Troy McCormick got the start, going five innings with three strikeouts, before Cole Hatton pitched the final two frames with four punchouts.
Yamashita Named GNAC Pitcher of the Week - Justice Yamashita silenced the Nighthawks bats, throwing a complete game shutout to earn the GNAC's baseball pitcher of the week. Over seven innings, Yamashita allowed only three hits, while punching out six and recording his first shutout of his career.
Saints' Baseball Voted 5th In GNAC Preseason Poll - With a core of their bats returning in 2022, along with a pitching staff eager to prove itself, the Saints were selected fifth in the GNAC Preseason Coaches' Poll on Friday.
Earning four of the five first place votes, Northwest Nazarene was selected as the preseason favorite with 24 points. Western Oregon followed up in second with 19 points, then Central Washington with one first place vote at 15. Montana State Billings, and Saint Martin's rounded out the poll with 10 and seven points respectively.
The Saints will be led by All-Conference bats Aaron Renaud, catchers Bryant Nakagawa and Mark Steward, and outfielder Cody Chavis. Renaud, an honorable mention led the offense with seven home runs, and 17 RBIs with a .315 batting average. In 37 games, Renaud slugged .597 along with a .399 on-base percentage and scored 23 runs.
Nakagawa earned a second team All-Conference selection after collecting a .460 on-base percentage in 23 games. However, Nakagawa proved to be lethal at throwing out would be baserunners, catching eight of 13 attempts. Also, he posted his second straight perfect fielding percentage season, with 65 putouts, and 12 assists.
Freshman catcher/designated hitter Mark Steward quickly made an impact, leading the Saints in batting average at .383, along with two home runs, and 12 RBIs. Steward slugged .521 along with a remarkable .448 on-base percentage.
Centerfielder Cody Chavis was named honorable mention with his .272 season along with one home run, and 15 RBIs. Chavis started all 38 games he saw action in, and managed seven doubles, two triples, and 20 runs scored.
Saint Martin's must replace all-time strikeout leader Tanner Inouye, who was named to three GNAC All-Conference teams in his career. All-Conference honorable mention Zach Alcos looks to lead the young but talented Saints' staff. In nine games, making four starts, Alcos recorded 22 strikeouts in 27 innings along with a 5.33 ERA.
The Saints return five of the top six pitchers who recorded the most innings last season. Cole Hatton was second on the team with 44 innings pitched, along with lefty Ryan Ancheta at 34 innings of work. Finnley Butler posted the team's lowest ERA at 5.29 in 32.1 innings. Justice Yamashita and Troy McCormick also look to step up on the mound with a combined 51 innings of work last season.
Other notable returners in 2022 include infielders Ryne Oshiro, Ty Matsunami, and Braeden McNally, along with outfielders Austin Schaler, Griffin Williams, and Reid Little. Utility players like Dakota Hill, Cody Isa, and Hunter Kosmider provide depth for the Saints.
Saint Martin's welcomes eight new players to the roster in 2022 including senior transfer Brock Wrolstad from Missouri Western State, and sophomore transfer Jonathan Shimabukuro from Edmonds CC. The Saints feature six freshmen on the roster in Colin Driscoll from West Linn, Oregon, DJ Akiyama from Aiea, Hawaii, and Hunter Sasaki from Mililani, Hawaii. Along with Kameron Richards from Lacey, Washington, Aaron Nease from Salem, Oregon, and Sam McCauley from Baker City, Oregon.
