The Saint Martin’s University baseball team has a distinctly local feel — if you’re from Hawai‘i.

Half of the Saints’ 40-man roster is made up of players from the islands, giving the program based in Lacey, Washington a strong Hawai‘i presence as it opens Great Northwest Athletic Conference play against Montana State Billings this weekend.

Freshman shortstop Bransyn Hong, a Kamehameha Schools Maui graduate, has been one of the early standouts. Hong leads the Saints in runs scored with 15 and is tied for the team lead with 12 RBIs heading into conference play.

Despite being a true freshman, Hong has already secured the starting shortstop role.

“It’s actually one of the reasons why I came here,” Hong said of the program’s Hawai‘i ties. “There’s 40 kids on the roster right now, and then 20 of them are from Hawai‘i. Definitely the connection is there for me and that’s why I came here to Saint Martin’s.”

For many of the island players, that shared background has helped ease the transition of playing college baseball thousands of miles from home.

Mililani graduate Zen Staszkow said having so many Hawai‘i teammates helps when homesickness sets in.

“Definitely it helps with being homesick,” Staszkow said.

Homecoming in Hawai‘i

Earlier this season, the Saints made their second trip to the islands in three years, playing doubleheaders against Hawai‘i Pacific University and Chaminade University of Honolulu.

The games were played at Hans L’Orange Park in Waipahu, giving the Hawai‘i players a chance to perform in front of family and friends.

For Staszkow, a junior infielder, it marked his second time returning home with the Saints.

“It means a lot playing in front of your family,” Staszkow said. “Everybody gets to come and just play ball.”

Zen Staszkow heads to the plate against Chaminade. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

The trip also provided a chance to enjoy a few comforts from home.

Staszkow said one highlight was eating bentos and spending time with family after the games in Waipahu. Hong said one of his favorite parts of the visit was getting fresh poke.

“The fish is a lot better here than back in Lacey,” Hong said.

Hong added that several family members traveled from Maui to watch him play.

“My entire immediate family, my grandma, my grandpa, my cousins, uncles, aunties all flew over just to come see me play,” Hong said. “It feels great.”

Leilehua alum Blaze Wong started a game against Chaminade when the Saints visited Hawai’i. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

Island players shine during Hawai‘i trip

The Hawai‘i contingent made its presence felt during the Saints’ series in the islands.

Staszkow, a Mililani High School alum, recorded the team’s lone hit in the first game against Hawai‘i Pacific.

In a 3-1 victory over HPU in the second game, ‘Iolani School graduate Cole Yonamine delivered a two-RBI double. Hong also added a hit and scored a run, while Staszkow chipped in with another hit.

In a 4-2 loss to Chaminade, Hong went 3-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base. Yonamine finished 2-for-4 with an RBI, driving in Hong. Leilehua High School alum Blaze Wong also made the start on the mound, while Kelton Tom contributed a hit as the designated hitter.

In the second game against the Silverswords, ‘Iolani School graduate Rylen Miyazaki went 1-for-1 as a pinch hitter, while Staszkow added another hit.

‘Iolani graduate Cole Yonamine stands behind the plate in a non-conference game against Chaminade. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

Hawai‘i players contributing across the roster

Island players have been key contributors for the Saints in multiple areas heading into conference play.

Hong continues to lead the team in runs scored and is tied for the most RBIs.

Wong owns the team’s best pitching record at 3-1 in five starts with 26 innings pitched. Baldwin graduates Bryson Nakamoto and Kip Watanabe, along with Kamehameha-Maui alum Raige Velez, have also seen action on the mound.

‘Iolani’s Tyler Young tossed a scoreless inning with two strikeouts earlier this season.

At the plate, freshman Dillon Andres from Kamehameha Schools-Kapālama has logged 37 at-bats and is among the Saints’ home run hitters this season playing third base. Tom, a senior from Kamehameha-Maui, has also provided power with a home run and a double.

Miyazaki enters conference play batting .400, while Yonamine has contributed both behind the plate and in the outfield.

Freshman Zion Ishikawa from ‘Aiea High School scored his first collegiate run against Bushnell on Feb. 14, and ‘Iolani’s Ethan Akagi recorded his first collegiate stolen base against Cal State East Bay on March 1.

With half the roster hailing from the islands, the Saints’ clubhouse carries a strong Hawai‘i influence — something players say makes being far from home a little easier.