Posted on: Wednesday, June 10, 2009
HOMEGROWN REPORT
Moanalua alum a diamond in rough
by Kalani Takase
Advertiser Staff Writer
Don't let his size fool you, Adam Arakawa can play ball.
Arakawa, a 2006 Moanalua graduate, proved that after just one year at Chico State, where he was named California Collegiate Athletic Association Baseball Newcomer of the Year.
Arakawa matriculated to NCAA Division II Chico State after spending two years at Hartnell Junior College in Salinas, Calif.
"I really matured during those two years," said Arakawa, whose younger brother Peter is an infielder at Mesa State (Colo.). "My coach at Hartnell, Dan Teresa, he's a high-strung coach, in-your-face type and I think that's kind of what I needed. He's an old-school guy, been there for 20 years, his dad used to be the coach there before him, so he really stressed playing the game the right way and it's definitely carried over to Chico State for me."
Upon arriving at Chico State last fall, Arakawa was one of eight outfielders competing for three jobs.
"One of the guys came from (Division I) at (Louisiana Tech), another guy was an all-conference guy out of junior college, so it was definitely a battle," said Arakawa, who stands 5 foot 8 and weighs 165. "But, for me, being in a situation like that, it pushed me to work harder and prove myself to the team. Competition always forces you to work harder."
Arakawa's work ethnic in the fall paid off in this spring. He started 49 of the 53 games he appeared in and batted .374 with seven homers, a team-high 46 RBIs and 44 runs scored. Arakawa recorded a .461 on-base percentage and slugged .626.
Teresa is not the least bit surprised at Arakawa's continued success.
"He was the centerpiece of our success last year," Teresa said. "Adam really held us together, he was a team captain and just huge for us all year. He's got a tremendous work ethic and added a lot to our program when he was here."
Arakawa earned numerous postseason accolades including All-CCAA first-team, American Baseball Coaches Association All-Region first-team and National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association All-America honorable mention honors.
Arakawa also earned a Rawlings/ABCA West Region Gold Glove. He committed one error and had a .988 fielding percentage.
"I was happy with it and I'm grateful and happy that I got these awards, but at the same time, I know that I won't be able to fly under the radar next season, so right now, I just need to keep working my (butt) off and putting in the time because you can always get better."
Arakawa will play for the Hawai'i Ali'i's this summer, one of six teams in the Hawai'i Collegiate Baseball League. Opening day is Friday with three games at 11:30 a.m. at Patsy T. Mink Central O'ahu Regional Park.
GOLF
Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.) senior Sam Cyr (King Kekaulike '05 of Makawao) was honored as the NAIA recipient of the Jack Nicklaus Award for the second consecutive year. Cyr, a four-time PING All-American, repeated as national champion and won four other tournaments this season to bring his collegiate total to 12 victories. Cyr was recognized by Nicklaus after Sunday's final round of The Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio. The award is given annually to the top player in each of the NCAA's three divisions and the NAIA. Previous winners include David Duval (1993), Justin Leonard (1994), Stewart Cink (1995), Tiger Woods (1996), Hunter Mahan (2003) and the only three-time recipient Phil Mickelson (1990-1993).
SOFTBALL
Purdue junior infielder Liane Horiuchi (Kamehameha '05 of Wahiawa) was selected as the team's offensive MVP last month. Horiuchi led the Big Ten Conference in stolen bases (42-for-42), hit by pitches (21), triples (four) and defensive assists (116). She also earned Academic All-District V accolades.
Mississippi State freshman outfielder Ka'ili Smith (Kapolei '08) was named to the Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-South Region Team. Smith batted .323 with 51 hits, 35 RBIs and 22 runs scored in 56 games.
Menlo (Calif.) junior softball player Alisha Vegas (Kailua '06 of Kailua) was named to the NAIA All-West Region First Team by Louisville Slugger and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. Vegas, one of 16 players selected to the first team, batted .289 with 13 RBIs in California Pacific Conference games. She also posted a .966 fielding average and was second-team All-Cal Pac. Senior third baseman Ku'ulei Padeken (University High '05 of Kahalu'u) was an honorable mention All-Cal Pac pick.
HONORS
Stanford sophomore women's water polo player Kim Hall (Punahou '07 of Kane'ohe) was named to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Academic All-Conference Team. Hall, a goalkeeper, earned a 3.32 GPA during the spring semester.
Menlo (Calif.) women's basketball player Kelci Fushikoshi (Lahainaluna '05 of Lahaina) was selected as Female Athlete of the Year at the school's athletic awards banquet last month. Fushikoshi, who completed her college eligibility this season, was named All-California Pacific Conference for the third consecutive season and Conference Defensive Player of the Year. She averaged a conference-best 19.7 points per game and was an honorable mention NAIA All-American. Fushikoshi maintained the highest GPA of any female student-athlete at Menlo, earned Daktronics NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors and graduated magna cum laude.
COMMITMENTS
Recent Damien graduate Douglas Andrade Jr. has signed a national letter of intent to play baseball at Southern Utah next year. The Thunderbirds are coached by Punahou graduate David "Boy" Eldredge.
Hartnell (Calif.) junior college baseball coach Dan Teresa announced the signings of outfielder Ridge Carpenter (Kalani '07 of Honolulu) to Cal State Northridge, right-handed pitcher Rick Miyamoto (Saint Louis '07 of Honolulu) to Mesa State (Colo.) and infielder Jensen Sato (Waiakea '07 of Hilo) to Graceland (Iowa).
