Posted on: Wednesday, June 3, 2009
HOMEGROWN REPORT
Downing awaiting major league draft
by Kalani Takase
Advertiser Staff Writer
Kaohi Downing has had to earn most of what has come his way.
Now, with the Major League Baseball First-Year Draft less than a week away, Downing is hoping for a break.
The 2005 Punahou School graduate walked-on to Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego after high school and quickly proved his worth, earning a scholarship after his first season with the Sea Lions.
The 5-foot-11, 165-pound outfielder started in each of his four seasons before his collegiate career came to a close last week after PLNU fell in the NAIA National Championship game to Lubbock Christian.
"It was frustrating to lose because we knew how good our team was," Downing said. "We got hot at the right time, but they were probably the best team we faced all year. As frustrating as it was, you just have to tip your cap because they were just better for those two games."
Still, Downing said the experience in Lewiston, Idaho — home to the NAIA World Series — was memorable.
"The whole town just makes you feel like rock stars," Downing said. "The first day we got there, we went to an elementary school and all of these kids were asking us for our autographs, like were major leaguers. I don't know what Omaha (home of the NCAA World Series) is like, but it was truly special there."
Downing started 57 games in right field this season and batted .325. He notched 12 homers, 45 RBIs, 54 runs scored and successfully stole 29 of 35 bases.
"Ohi's been a spark plug at the top of the lineup for the past four years," Sea Lions coach Joe Schaefer said. "Our offense for the last couple of years was predicated on whether or not he gets on base. He's a tremendous athlete and he has all the tools to do well at the next level. We'll be sad to see him go."
Downing, who graduated with a degree in Exercise Science this semester, is just hopeful for an opportunity come draft day.
"All I need is a chance," he said. "That's kind of how it's been throughout my career: Give me a chance and I can prove to you I belong."
MORE BASEBALL
Southern Utah seniors Keli'i Zablan (Saint Louis '05 of 'Ewa Beach), Nick Freitas (Kamehameha '05 of Honolulu) and Chester Wilson (Saint Louis '05 of Honolulu) were named to The Summitt League All-Conference Team. Zablan, a second baseman, and Fretias, an outfielder, were first-team selections. Zablan batted .299 with 43 RBIs and 41 runs scored in 50 games while Freitas batted .347 with team-highs of 14 home runs and 60 RBIs in 49 games. Wilson, a corner infielder, batted .355 and was a second-team pick.
Oregon Tech senior Ryson Mauricio (Kamehameha '05 of Mililani) was named to the NAIA All-America Second Team. Mauricio, a second baseman, set the school's single-season record for runs (53), total bases (148), hits (85), doubles (21), RBIs (69) and home runs (14). He led the team with .378 batting average and was also named the Cascade Collegiate Conference Player of the Year and NAIA West Player of the Year.
MEN'S GOLF
University of San Diego freshman Alex Ching (Punahou '08 of Honolulu) tied for 13th at the NCAA Division I championships last week in Toledo, Ohio. Ching finished 1-over par 214 (70-68-76) to lead the Torreros to a 13th-place finish as a team at the par-71 Inverness Golf Club.
Arizona State freshman Chan Kim (attended Kaimuki) tied for 23rd (75-71-70—216) to finish two strokes behind Ching — and nine behind the winner — at the NCAA Championships. Kim helped the Sun Devils finish second to Oklahoma State.
WOMEN'S GOLF
UCLA freshman Stephanie Kono (Punahou '08 of Honolulu) was named First Team All-American by the National Golf Coaches Association last week. Kono, who finished tied for 16th at the NCAA Division I Championships, had a team-best 72.3 strokes per round. She had 11 top-20 and six top-10 finishes, including two tournament victories. Kono was also named to the All-Central Regional Team.
HONORS
Stanford senior golfer Mari Chun (Kamehameha '05 of Pearl City) was named to the Pac-10 Conference All-Academic First Team, the league announced last week. Chun earned a 3.69 GPA while majoring in Japanese.
Siena (N.Y.) junior softball player Stacie Sueda (Hawai'i Baptist '06 of Honolulu) was named to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Academic Team after she carried a 3.93 GPA during the spring semester.
DePauw (Ind.) sophomore tennis player Janelle Arita (Punahou '07 of Mililani) was named Division III Player to Watch by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association earlier this month.
William Smith (N.Y.) sophomore rower Rebecca Charlton (Maryknoll '07 of Kaimuki) was named to the Liberty League All-Academic Team.
COMMITMENTS
Monterey Peninsula (Calif.) junior college baseball coach Daniel Phillips announced the following recent signings: catcher Logan Kanamu (Baldwin '07) to Bethany (Kan.), pitcher Kainoa Ribao (King Kekaulike '07) to Hawai'i-Hilo, pitcher Kili Vierra (Kailua '07) to Oklahoma Baptist and pitcher Richard Mariano (Mililani '07) to Cal State Monterey Bay. Kanamu batted .306 and was named second-team all-conference. Ribao went 3-1 with a 2.35 ERA, Vierra was also a second-team selection after he went 3-2 with a 3.61 ERA and Mariano was 1-0 with one save and a 3.60 ERA.
