LACEY, Wash. – As unhittable
Justice Yamashita was on the mound,
Aaron Renaud was just as unstoppable at the plate, with the two leading four Saints to the GNAC All-Conference team on Wednesday.
COMPLETE RELEASE
Renaud, a unanimous selection, ranked among the best in conference, leading the Saints in almost every offensive category. Renaud ranked first average (.333), runs (25), hits (49), home runs (7), and RBI (27). The lefty slugged a team-leading .558 and recorded an on-base percentage of .420. For Renaud, this award marks the third of the career for the first baseman, earning second team All-Conference in 2019 and Honorable Mention in 2021.
Yamashita earned his appearance on a GNAC All-Conference team after becoming the ace of the staff for the Saints. The sophomore led the GNAC in complete games (5), and strikeouts (71), and was third in ERA (3.68) with a 6-4 record. Yamashita tossed a complete game shutout against Northwest Nazarene in March, and a career-high 11 strikeouts against MSU Billings in April. He was a two-time GNAC Pitcher of the Week and went five or more innings in nine of his 11 starts.
A defensive force behind the plate,
Bryant Nakagawa earned his second straight second team All-Conference award, earning the honors in 2021. Nakagawa threw out eight would be base stealers in 2022. Not only was Nakagawa lethal behind the plate, the senior hit .325 on the season with 27 hits in 33 games, six doubles, and 11 RBI. Nakagawa's eye at the plate ranked among the best in the GNAC, drawing 17 walks, only second to Renaud's 18, and leading the team with a .467 on-base percentage.
Hunter Kosmider burst onto the scene in 2022, becoming the Saints' everyday third baseman. The local product from North Thurston high school, earned second team All-Conference honors, the first of his career. Over 39 games, making 38 starts, Kosmider hit .285 with 37 hits, 24 runs scored, two triples, and 21 RBI. Kosmider caught fire after his 3-for-6 game at MSUB, ending the season going 16-for-39 in the final three series with 12 runs scored, and 12 runs batted in.
The Saints finished the season 19-30 overall, and 14-18 in conference action, battling for the final playoff spot until the final day of the season.
