HPU’s Gunter is PacWest pitcher of year

Hawaii Pacific University senior Matthew Gunter was named the PacWest pitcher of the year on Monday.

Gunter went 6-4 with a 2.09 earned-run average, which ranked second in the conference. The left-hander led the PacWest and ranked 13th among NCAA Division II pitchers with an HPU-record 102 strikeouts. He threw five complete games and recorded a seven-inning no-hitter against Hawaii Hilo on Feb. 25.

UH Hilo first baseman Phillip Steering was named to the All-PacWest second team and HPU designated hitter Codi Santana made the third team.

Steering, a junior, led the PacWest with a .421 batting average and .537 on-base percentage.

Santana, also a junior, led the Sharks with a .312 batting average and was second with 29 RBIs.

Nakajima tops U.S. Open local qualifier

Toru Nakajima of Japan shot a 4-under-par 68 on Monday to earn medalist honors at the U.S. Open local qualifier at Waialae Country Club.

Nakajima led the field of 46 golfers to advance to the sectional stage of qualifying for next month’s U.S. Open in Erin, Wis.

Jirou Minamizaki of Japan also advanced with a 1-under 71 as did Joshua DeFreitas of Waianae at even par 72.