UH-Hilo’s Kurokawa Earns Golden State BB Award

Jordan Kurokawa followed up a solid 2015 season at the University of Hawai’i at Hilo with an award-winning summer in the Golden State Collegiate Baseball League.

Kurokawa, an incoming senior at UH-Hilo, was named the GSCBL Pitcher of the Year for his dominance with team Top Speed, the eventual league champions.

The numbers don’t lie. Kurokawa led the league with seven wins and recorded a 2.64 earned run average in 47.2 innings pitched. He struck out 47 during that span. He earned a win in each of his last five starts, allowing six runs in 38 innings.

In the spring, Kurokawa was tied for the team lead with three wins and led the Vulcans with three complete games. He struck out 98 in 70.1 innings and had an earned run average of 3.07.

By earning the award, Kurokawa became the first out-of-state pitcher to be named Pitcher of the Year. He beat out teammate Stephen Borkowski, who pitches for St. Catharine University.

Teammate Michael Slifer also had a solid showing in the summer. Also with Top Speed, Slifer tallied a 6-0 record with a save in 13 appearances.  His earned run average sat at 3.00

Three Vulcans saw playing time with the San Francisco Seagulls. Right-handed pitcher David Moody, soon to be a senior, earned a 5-1 record with a 4.02 earned run average over 53.2 innings. He struck out 41 batters in nine starts. Another upcoming senior, first baseman Keenan Nishioka, batted .300 with 14 runs batted in, and senior outfielder Michael Jenkerson hit .307 with five RBI.