Posted on: Wednesday, May 27, 2009
HOMEGROWN REPORT
Snieder a power source
by Kalani Takase
Advertiser Staff Writer
Paul Snieder is used to winning. By his standards, this year was an anomaly.
The 6-foot-2, 225-pound freshman first baseman for Northwestern, who played on four state championship teams at Punahou, was asked to contribute right away to the Wildcats' 2009 campaign.
"Some of the stats weren't what I was looking for, but toward the end (of the season), I was hitting the ball well," Snieder said.
Snieder, who hit mostly fourth, fifth or sixth in the lineup, batted .244 with 33 hits, six home runs, 25 RBIs and 19 runs scored in 46 games.
He hit two homers in the final game for the Wildcats (14-35-1), including a walk-off shot that beat Michigan, 6-5, on May 16.
"I didn't expect to play right away, but I was hoping to," Snieder said. "I knew that if I worked hard and put in the time then I could have a chance to play every day."
Snieder said adjusting to opposing pitchers has been his biggest obstacle in the transition to Division I collegiate ball.
"It's just a lot better. Guys are throwing consistently in the low to mid-90's," Snieder said. "And you see a lot of good change-ups, which I struggled with early on but got better with throughout the season."
One of Snieder's teammates on the opposite end of that equation is freshman right-handed pitcher Michael Jahns, a 2008 St. Anthony's graduate. Jahns, who went 1-1 in 17 appearances — including two starts — had a team-best 3.56 ERA. He allowed 34 hits and 15 runs (12 earned) in 30 1/3 innings with 18 strikeouts against 13 walks.
"It was pretty cool being able to play with him, just having someone that you're able to relate to," Snieder said. "Sometimes we talk local (pidgin) to each other and people don't know what we're saying. He's a funny guy."
Snieder said he stayed up-to-date with the Buffanblu's quest for a sixth state title earlier this month.
"I'm very happy for them. Fighting the way they did to get that far was incredible," Snieder said. "I think part of the reason why Punahou has had continued success is because we knew how to play under the pressure."
Snieder will play in the Hawai'i Collegiate League, which begins June 12.
MORE BASEBALL
Point Loma Nazarene (Calif.) senior right fielder Kaohi Downing (Punahou '05 of Honolulu) batted 1 for 4 as the third-seeded Sea Lions beat top-seeded Lubbock Christian, 2-1, last night in the winner's bracket finale at NAIA World Series at Lewiston, Idaho.
PLNU, the lone unbeaten team at 3-0 in the double-elimination tournament, plays Lee (Tenn.) today in a semifinal.
Chico State (Calif.) junior outfielder Adam Arakawa (Moanalua '06 of 'Aiea) was named California Collegiate Athletic Association Newcomer of the Year and an all-conference first-team member after he batted .374 with seven homers and a team-high 46 RBIs. Arakawa, who had a .461 on-base percentage, was also named to the American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings All-West Region Team and was a Gold Glove recipient. He transferred from Hartnell Community College.
BYU senior first baseman Kasey Ko (Punahou '05 of Kailua) batted .300 in three games at the Mountain West Conference Tournament last week in Fort Worth, Texas. Ko went 1 for 3 with a walk in both a 5-4 win over UNLV Wednesday and a 5-1 win over New Mexico Thursday. He was 1 for 4 in a 9-2 loss to TCU.
Vassar (N.Y.) senior right-handed pitcher Jeremy Pollack (Punahou '05 of Mililani) was second on his team in innings pitched with 46 2/3. He posted an 8.10 ERA and 0-2 record, allowing 68 hits and recording 25 strikeouts against 12 walks.
MEN'S GOLF
Point Loma Nazarene senior Sam Cyr (King Kekaulike '05 of Makawao) won his second straight NAIA men's championship last weekend in Silvis, Ill. Cyr, who became the first to win consecutive individual titles since 1993, was the only player in the 94-player field to finish under par. He shot 2-under (72-72-67-71—282) at the par-71 TPC at Deere Run.
Sonoma State junior Spencer Shishido ('Iolani '06 of 'Aiea) tied for 37th at the NCAA Division II men's championship last weekend at Blaine, Wash. Shishido finished 17-over par (74-76-77-74—301). The Seawolves won their third team title.
WOMEN'S GOLF
UCLA freshman Stephanie Kono (Punahou '08 of Honolulu) tied for 16th with a 72-hole total of 10-over par 298 at the NCAA Division I Women's Championships, which concluded Friday in Owings Mills, Md. Kono shot 73-76-74-75 at the par-72 Caves Valley Golf Club. The Bruins finished second to Arizona State. Purdue's Maria Hernandez won medalist honors with a 1-over 289. New Mexico junior Britney Choy (Leilehua '06 of Wahiawa) shot 14-over 302 to tie for 32nd and Arizona senior Amanda Wilson (Waiakea '04 of Hilo) tied for 54th at 19-over 307.
TRACK AND FIELD
Westmont (Calif.) senior Lorin Milotta (Waialua '04) finished eighth in the women's 100-meter hurdles at the NAIA Track and Field Championships in Edwardsville, Ill., on Friday with a time of 17.90 seconds. Milotta won her heat in the preliminaries and had the top time in the semifinals at 14.10. Westmont finished tied for 34th in the team standings with six points. Milotta, who won the 100 hurdles event at the Golden State Athletic Conference, was also named to the NAIA All-Academic team. She is a graduate student.
HONORS
Fairfield (Conn.) freshman swimmer Michelle Yoshida (Punahou '08 of Honolulu) was named Fairfield's Female Athlete of the Year. Yoshida set 13 school records and won the 50-, 100- and 200-yard freestyle races at the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships — the first Stag to win three individual MAAC titles. The award was voted upon by Fairfield head coaches and was presented at the school's athletic awards banquet.
Santa Clara sophomore golfer Miki Ueoka (Kaua'i '07 of Lihu'e) was named to the ESPN The Magazine's Academic All-District VIII Third Team after she carried a 3.49 cumulative GPA through the spring semester. Ueoka, who won three tournaments this year, also qualified for the U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championships June 22 to 27 in Devens, Mass. on Sunday.
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 3.4 GPA during the spring semester.
Pacific (Ore.) sophomore Max Bonk (Hawai'i Prep '07 of Kamuela) was selected to the PING/NCAA Division III All-America Third Team by the Golf Coaches Association of America. Bonk was named to the All-Freshman Team by the GCAA last year.
Missouri Valley College senior softball player Kimberly Fuller (Roosevelt '05 of Honolulu) was selected as a Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athlete after posting a 4.0 GPA during the spring semester.
Pacific (Ore.) junior lacrosse player Lilia Lee (Kamehameha '06 of Waimanalo) was named to the NCAA Division III All-West Region Second Team by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association. Lee set numerous school single-season records this year, including goals (61), assists (13) and points (74). She was also named to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District VIII Women's At-Large Team.
Advertiser Staff Writer Stanley Lee contributed to this report. Reach Kalani Takase at ktakase@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2404.
