Suzuki tops in Big West baseball
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Cal State Fullerton junior catcher Kurt Suzuki, a 2001 graduate of Baldwin from Wailuku, was named the Big West Conference Player of the Year, after finishing the regular season fifth in the nation in batting (.438), 10th in RBIs per game (1.32) and 22nd in slugging percentage (.726).
SUZUKI
He ranked among the top three in 10 categories in the Big West — including first in batting, on-base and slugging percentage, RBIs and sacrifice flies — and helped the Titans win their first Big West Conference title since 2001.
He was also named one of 15 semifinalists for the Johnny Bench Award, presented annually to the nation's top collegiate catcher, as voted on by a panel of sportswriters, sportscasters, Division I coaches and scouts.
The three finalists for the award will be announced on June 3 and a final vote will occur during the College World Series.
Suzuki hit two home runs and drove in a career-high six runs as Fullerton completed a three-game sweep of No. 8 Long Beach State Sunday with a 13-11 win in the final Big West game of the season.
Suzuki's 4-for-5 effort included a double and four runs.
Women's Tennis
• Washington senior Erin Hoe (Mililani '00) won her first-round match in the NCAA Women's Tennis Tournament in Athens, Ga., Monday.
She defeated Anna Erickson of Sacramento State, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.
Hoe lost in the second round to Jennifer Magley of Florida, 6-2, 6-1, yesterday.
• Long Beach State senior Kelly Chan (Konawaena '00 of Kailua, Kona) won her match at No. 2 singles to help the 49ers beat UC Irvine, 4-2, and capture the Big West Conference title last month.
Chan defeated Tiffany Chang, 7-5, 1-6, 6-4.
Long Beach freshman Krystina Kateyama (Punahou '03 of Kailua) competed at No. 3 doubles, but her match was not completed because the 49ers had already clinched the match.
Chan was named second team all-league in singles and teamed with sophomore Alanah Carroll to earn second-team accolades in doubles. Chan played the majority of the spring at No. 2 singles and finished at 12-7. In doubles, the Chan and Carroll finished 14-5 at the No. 2 position.
Men's Tennis
• UCLA junior Chris Lam (homeschooled from Kaimuki) won his match at No. 3 singles Monday to help the Bruins end Illinois' 64-match win streak, the longest in the nation, and advance to the NCAA Men's national final.
LAM
Lam defeated Ryler DeHeart, 6-4, 6-4.
Yesterday, Lam lost to Baylor's Matias Marin, 6-3, 6-2, as the Bears won the championship match, 4-0.
MEN'S VOLLEYBALL
• Long Beach City College freshman right side hitter Jonathan Charette (Pearl City '03) was named the California Community Colleges Commission on Athletics Tournament MVP after leading the Vikings to the championship.
CHARETTE
He had 10 kills, 10 digs and two blocks as Long Beach beat L.A. Pierce, 30-26, 30-26, 28-30, 30-32, 15-10, in the championship match, ending L.A. Pierce's streak of four championships.
Long Beach sophomore outside hitter Thomas Vito (Waipahu '01), who was also named to the all-tournament team, had 16 kills and six digs.
Also playing for Long Beach were sophomore middle blocker/ right side hitter Keali'i Chang (Kahuku) and freshman libero Kalei Ka'ana'ana (Pearl City '03).
Orange Coast's Poyer Poia (Farrington '99) was also named to the all-tournament team.
Baseball
If you know of any deserving of recognition, give us their names, high schools and graduation years, colleges and sports. E-mail us at: homegrown@honoluluadvertiser.com or contact Leila Wai at 535-2457.
• Whittier (Calif.) College freshman Matthew Morgado (Kamehameha '03 of Wahiawa) was named the school's Freshman Athlete of the Year after starting 30 of the team's 40 games and finishing fifth on the team with a .327 batting average.
Let us know
He was also fourth on the team in doubles (9) and sixth in hits (37).
• Oregon player/coach Travis Chock (Punahou '01) led the Ducks' club team to the National Club Baseball Association World Series, which runs from today through Monday at Bradenton, Fla.
Softball
• Whittier (Calif.) junior outfielder Eiko Titcomb (Iolani) was named to the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference second team after leading her team with a .390 batting average, 30 hits, 18 runs and nine doubles.
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.
