Last Series Recaps - After a strong offensive showing from Central Washington in game one, Justice Yamashita and the Saints silenced the Wildcats' bats for a 6-2 doubleheader split on Saturday.
Central Washington got the better of the Saints in the opener, scoring seven runs in the first inning to quickly set the tone. The Wildcats amassed their 17 runs it the first four innings, but the Saints held them scoreless over the final four.
That trend continued in game two as Yamashita went the first three innings scoreless. Saint Martin's broke open the game in the top of the third with six runs. A bases loaded walk to Mark Steward began the action, followed by a sac fly from Cody Chavis. Reid Little, Chayson Dulatre and Cody Isa all drove in runs later in the inning to complete the six-run frame.
Central Washington managed to get one run in the fourth and fifth, but Yamashita shut down the rally attempt with clean sixth and seventh innings. The complete game is the second of the season for Yamashita.
A high scoring effort by the Saints in the opening game secured the series split with Central Washington on Sunday.
It did not take the Saints long to get the bats going in the opener, as Ryne Oshiro began the day with a two-run home run to right field. RBIs by Michael Yamaguchi and Reid Little made it a 4-0 ball game in the first.
Little added to his line in the fourth and the sixth inning with a couple more RBIs. Aaron Renaud dealt a solo blast in the seventh and capped off the day for the Saints with an RBI double in the eighth as Saint Martin's secured the 10-5 win.
Finnley Butler got the start for the Saints, going four innings before Kameron Richards earned the win after going four innings out of the pen. Cole Hatton tossed the final shutout inning with one strikeout.
In the second game, Central Washington used two three-run innings to jump out to a 7-3 lead. Saint Martin's got on the board with an RBI from Yamaguchi, followed by run production from Austin Schaler and Little.
The Saints put together a seventh-inning rally, scoring runs on hits from Dakota Hill, and Cody Chavis to cut the score to 8-5. With the tying-run at the plate, Central Washington squeezed out of the jam on a fielder's choice.
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.
