BIIF Baseball Players In College

BIIF Baseball Players Making It At The Next Level

By Hawaii Sports Page

June 7, 2009: A slew of BIIF players are making an impact on the college baseball level. The attributions could be linked to skill, talent, an early exposure to competitive baseball, and full year round coaching and training. College baseball is a complex animal with different intergral parts that make up the four divisions. Division I has the most prolific players and talent, however the lower divisions DII-DIII (NAIA) and Junior Colleges have some great talent also, maybe not in abundance like the DI level. There are many great Major League Baseball players who have come from the lower divisions, like Scott Brosius, MVP of the World Series and infielder for the New York Yankees. Brosius had a successful career at Linfield College, a NAIA program in Oregon.

The NCAA rule restricting Major League Baseball from drafting four year college players until the end of their junior year has made Junior College an attractive option. In fact, some Junior College baseball teams have more talent than some Division I programs. The list of BIIF Players contributing at the next level is the deepest it has ever been. Here is a list of those BIIF players.

This year was a breakout year for Kolten Wong (Kamehameha-HI). Kolten helped the Rainbows break a UH homerun record and was chosen first team WAC and freshman of the year. Kolten is also being considered to represent team USA for 2009. Wong started all 58 games for the ’Bows in centerfield in 2009, batting .341 with 11 home runs, 21 doubles, two triples, 52 RBI, 46 runs and 11 stolen bases. Along with his prowess at the plate, Wong also led the team with seven outfield assists. Wong was recently chosen to the Louisville Slugger All Freshman Team, honoring the best Freshman in the whole NCAA DI.

HPU’s Blake Amaral (Kamehameha) broke a single game record of 10 RBI’s this season and was chosen as freshman of the year for the PACWEST and a second team selection. Amaral had banner numbers for a freshman where he batted .386 with 5 Homeruns, 46 RBI’s, 11 Doubles and 4 Triples. Amaral started 48 games. Amaral was the only freshman chosen on either on first or second teams.

Chico State’s Kevin Seaver (Waiakea), broke the single season batting average (.422 Steve Gotowala) and on base percentage at Chico State along with a gold glove to go with it. Seaver had only one error in 335 chances for the Wildcats of Chico State. Seaver transfered from Palomar Community College.

Cheynne Hirota (Waiakea) – Starting 1B for the HPU Sea Warriors. Led the team in Hitting with monumental .447 Batting average, 59 hits, 12 doubles, 3 triples, 2 home runs, and a .629 slugging percentage. Hirota also had a very good glove at first base with a .987 fielding percentage.

Matt Hassenritter (Hilo High) Started at 1B for UHH Vulcans. Hassenritter batted .392 with 120 at bats, he had 26 runs, 12 doubles, 29 RBI, and 4 homeruns. Hassenritter was known as a grinder, who worked hard throughout his four years at UHH. The hard work paid off for Hassenritter as he had a very productive 2009.

TJ Yasuhara (Waiakea) – Started at 2B for Santa Ana College and contributed to the team achieving a number 11 national NCCR ranking. Yasuhara batted .367 with 22 singles, 5 doubles and 19 runs. TJ had a solid .956 fielding percentage.

John Holley (Pahoa)– Pitcher for UHH Vulcans, also invited and played in the Hawaii Collegiate Summer league in 07, 08. Made seven game appearances.

Casey Koizumi (Hilo High) – Pitcher for UHH Vulcans. Had a 1-0 win loss record. Appeared in 3 games and gave up 6 hits while striking out 1.

Sheldon Otsuka (Waiakea) - Pitcher for UHH Vulcans, transferred from Hartnell College after two successful years. Made 7 game appearances where he gave up 6 hits and struck out 6.

Cade Uyetake (Hilo High) – 2B for UHH Vulcans. Played in 13 games scoring 5 runs, while having a .333 on base percentage.

Darren Takasaki (Waiakea) – Relief Pitcher for Menlo College (NAIA), saw many appearances for the Oaks. Takasaki transferred after two successful years at Hartnell College

Kiley Kawazoe (Hilo High) – IF for Merced Junior College, began his college career at West Hills College in Los Angeles. Invited to play with the Hawks of the Paradise Collegiate League.

Reece Alnas (Kamehameha) – OF Polamar College – Started in 17 games for the comets and played in 39 games. Batted .436 for 39 at-bats in Pacific Coast Conference games.

Trysen Cosier (Kamehameha) - IF for Shoreline Community College, played for former Hawaii baseball standout Steve Seki.

Royce Ebesu (Hilo) -Pitcher for HPU Sea Warriors, was 1-0 in 2008, made several game appearances in 2008 as a freshman. Redshirted his sophomore year and looks to improved pitching in 2010.

Jensen Sato (Waiakea) - IF for Hartnell College, 2 year player for the Panthers posting good offensive statistics and steady defense. Sato has signed to play with Graceland College in Lamoni Iowa.