HONOLULU – Recognizing a combination of excellence on the diamond and in the classroom, five University of Hawai'i baseball players have been named College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District honorees. Senior John Alkire II and juniors Tate Shimao and Tsubasa Tomii, alongside sophomores Grant Garman and Jake Redding, all earned the prestigious academic distinction.
 
The five Academic All-District selections set a new Hawai'i baseball program record for a single-season. The award recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances in athletic competition and in the classroom.
 
These five honorees were instrumental in helping the Rainbow Warriors finish fourth in the Big West regular season standings and qualify for the conference postseason tournament. UH is the only school in the conference to finish in the top five of the league each of the last five seasons.
 
Alkire II, Garman, and Tomii all provided vital innings on the mound for a UH pitching staff that ranks No. 3 nationally with a 3.44 ERA, while Redding anchored the defense behind the plate and Shimao paced the offensive attack.
 
John Alkire II | Senior | RHP

• Emerged as a reliable late-inning option, pacing the Rainbow Warriors with a team-high four saves on the season.
• Made 19 appearances with one start, posting a 4.13 ERA and a 2-2 overall record.
• Struck out 36 batters while issuing just 10 walks over 32.2 innings of work.
• Delivered a dominant late-season stretch out of the bullpen, allowing zero runs and zero walks with eight strikeouts over 6.2 innings in three consecutive appearances.

 
Grant Garman | Sophomore | LHP

• Ranked second on the pitching staff with 20 appearances during his first season with the program.
• Led the entire team with an impressive 12.24 strikeouts per nine innings (minimum 20 innings pitched).
• Finished the year with a 4.68 ERA and a 1-1 record across 25.0 innings on the mound.
• Consistently overpowered hitters to rack up 34 strikeouts while allowing just 14 walks.

 
Jake Redding | Sophomore | C

• Served as Hawai'i's primary backstop, starting 45 of the team's 49 regular-season games, including 42 starts at catcher.
• Provided stellar, reliable defense, allowing just one passed ball all season while giving up only 26 stolen bases.
• Hit .231 with 11 doubles, one triple, and 22 RBIs in his sophomore campaign.
• Blasted his first career home run in a crucial May 8 conference victory at UC Davis.

 
Tate Shimao | Junior | INF/OF

• Earned Honorable Mention All-Big West accolades after leading the Hawai'i offense with a .308 batting average and 13 doubles.
• Tied for the team lead with 33 runs scored while adding two home runs and 26 RBIs.
• Caught fire down the stretch, hitting a blistering .371 (36-for-97) with nine doubles over his final 28 games of the season.
• Excelled against league pitching, batting .337 with 11 doubles and 19 RBIs in Big West play.

 
Tsubasa Tomii | Junior | RHP

• Garnered First Team All-Big West honors as a dominant late-inning relief weapon.
• Appeared in a team-high 25 games, posting a stellar 1.56 overall ERA and a 3-1 record.
• Was nearly untouchable in conference action, turning in a microscopic 1.11 ERA and holding opponents to a .163 batting average over 24.1 innings in Big West play.
• Struck out 29 batters and issued just 11 walks over 34.2 total innings of work.
• Recorded his first career save during a vital 4-1 victory over UC Davis on May 8.