Cameron University shortstop Micah Kaaukai, a 2014 Hilo graduate, was named to a pair of All-American teams for the Aggies, a Division II school in Lawton, Okla. ADVERTISING Cameron University shortstop Micah Kaaukai, a 2014 Hilo graduate, was named to
Cameron University shortstop Micah Kaaukai, a 2014 Hilo graduate, was named to a pair of All-American teams for the Aggies, a Division II school in Lawton, Okla.
Kaaukai was selected to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association’s third team and to the Division II Conference Commissioners Association’s honorable mention list. He was also an All-Lone Star Conference first team pick.
He led Cameron with a .435 batting average, had a .557 on-base percentage, and a .558 slugging percentage. Kaaukai had two homers and 30 RBIs, stole 15 bases and posted a .945 fielding percentage.
It was the first All-American selection for the Aggies since 2011.
Kaaukai spent his first two seasons at Luna Community College in Arizona.
His Aggie teammate was 2013 Kamehameha graduate Bronson Pulgados. The senior second baseman batted .290 and had a .358 on-base clip and a .400 slugging percentage.
Like Kaaukai, Pulgados played two years at Luna, where he was named a juco All-Star.
Cameron was eliminated by Angelo State in the Lone Star Conference Tournament and finished the season with a 30-20 record.
Other BIIF players were:
• Makoa Rosario (2014 Kamehameha): the sophomore catcher/outfielder at Central Arizona College batted .221 with a homer and 15 RBIs and stole 17 bases in 47 games.
Rosario will play ball at Lewis-Clark State College, an NAIA school in Idaho, next season.
• Chay Toson (2014 Kamehameha): the sophomore outfielder at Olympic College in Bremerton, Wa., batted .231 with three RBIs in 65 at-bats and 20 games.
The Rangers finished 12-30, including 7-17 in the Northwest Athletic Conference’s North Region.
• Josiah Factora (2016 Hilo): the freshman outfielder at Pierce College in Puyallup, Wa., batted .211 with eight RBIs in 19 at-bats and 10 games.
The Raiders finished 29-14, including 17-8 in the NWAC’s West Region.
• Kanaikai Gaughen (2016 Hawaii Prep): the freshman outfielder/catcher at Mississippi Valley State batted .158 with a home run and three RBIs in 18 games for the Delta Devils, who finished 7-34.
• Malu Peralta (2015 Kamehameha): the sophomore pitcher at Eastern Arizona College finished 0-0 with a 5.19 ERA in 8 2/3 innings for the Gila Monsters, who had a 17-37 record.
• Chayce Ka’aua (2013 Hilo): the redshirt junior catcher at Hawaii batted .167 with two RBIs in 24 at-bats and eight games in an injury-plagued season.
• Jordan Hirae (2014 Kamehameha): the junior infielder at Puget Sound batted .210 with four RBIs in 62 at-bats and 25 games for the Division III school in Tacoma, Wa.
• Kian Kurokawa (2013 Hilo): the senior pitcher at Puget Sound finished 1-1 with a 2.79 ERA in 9 2/3 innings for the Loggers, who had a 14-24 record, including 7-17 in the Northwest Conference.
• Kobi Candaroma (2015 Kamehameha): the sophomore outfielder at College of the Redwoods batted. 319 with 18 RBIs and had a .376 on-base clip in 160 at-bats and 38 games for the Corsairs.
• Noah Serrao (2015 Hilo): the sophomore outfielder at Redwoods batted .165 with nine RBIs in 85 at-bats and 30 games for the Corsairs, who finished 14-23-1.
• Keian Kanetani (2016 Keaau): the freshman infielder at Pacific University had no hits in four at-bats for the Boxers, who were 15-23, including 7-17 in the NWC.
• Ryan Torres-Torioka (2013 Konawaena): the junior infielder at Hawaii Pacific batted .273 with two homers and 20 RBIs in 154 at-bats and 45 games for the Sharks, who finished 20-28-2. Tyler Kitaoka (2016 Konawaena) took a redshirt year.
• Evyn Yamaguchi (2014 Konawaena): the junior catcher at Mayville State batted .287 with three homers and 15 RBIs in 94 at-bats and 30 games for the Comets, an NAIA school in North Dakota.
The Comets (46-12) reached the NAIA National Tournament and were eliminated by College of Idaho 4-2 on May 16. Yamaguchi batted 1 for 3 with a walk in the loss.
• Shaun Kurosawa (2016 Waiakea): the infielder at College of the Siskiyous batted .235 with an RBI in 34 at-bats and 18 games for the Eagles (9-30). Austin Damate-Aina (2016 Hilo) was also listed on the roster.
• Markus Degrate (2016 Kealakehe): the outfielder at Siskiyous batted .171 with five RBIs in 82 at-bats and 30 games.
• Dylan Shiraki (2012 Honokaa): the senior left-hander went 3-1 for Division I Northern Colorado, striking out 30 batters in 35 1.3 innings with a 4.52 ERA in 26 appearances.
