Sacramento State second baseman Taylor Watanabe and catcher Brett Tanigawa were both born and raised in what most refer to as paradise – the Hawaiian Islands – and more exactly, Oahu island.

Coach John Smith said that Watanabe and Tanigawa, both fifth-year seniors who red-shirted their first seasons in 2004, have shown vast improvement since crossing the Pacific Ocean to come to Sacramento.

“(Tanigawa) is one of the most improved players I have seen over a three- or four-year period of time,” Smith said. “When he first came here he didn’t have the skill level that he has now and that’s a tribute to him because that’s what he has worked really hard for. He’s a very proficient catcher.”

Tanigawa played in 24 games last season, starting 16 of them, and threw out six would-be base stealers, improving his mark of three his sophomore season in six starts and 15 appearances. He hit .264 with five RBIs and four runs scored last season, including a career day in the WAC Tournament against Hawaii when he went 4-for-4.

“(Tanigawa) is without question a complete team player. He does everything for the team and he doesn’t think about himself in anything he does,” Smith said.

He is used primarily as a back-up to senior catcher Travis Kirkman. Smith said that Tanigawa is able to see only limited action due to a chronic soreness in his throwing arm, stemming from an arm injury he suffered several years ago.

He has six hits in 24 at-bats this season (.250) with three RBIs and three assists from behind the dish. Even more important is the fact he has not committed an error in his 14 appearances this season.

“I’m very proud of the way he has improved himself and made himself a better player,” Smith said.

Assistant baseball coach Don Barbara said that Tanigawa and Kirkman have helped nurture freshman catcher Brent Hottman, who will likely be the Hornets’ starter behind the plate next season. He said they have helped Hottman get acclimated with the responsibilities of a collegiate-level catcher.

“(Tanigawa and Kirkman) have both shown that they are leaders back their (behind the plate),” Barbara said. “I have noticed this year that they have taken more control of the game and the pitching staff. They both know when to go out (to the mound) to talk to a (pitcher) and calm him down.”

Watanabe led the Hornets in batting average at .314 (25 for 80) with three doubles and three stolen bases in 34 games as a freshman. Toward the end of his freshman season he started developing soreness in his throwing arm like Tanigawa.

“(Watanabe) came in a played very good as a freshman and then he got hurt,” Smith said. “He got set back a little bit in his development because of his arm problems.”

Watanabe, who bats from the right-side, has split time at second base with freshman Hunter Martinez this season, a left-handed swinger, and both have batted in the lead-off spot in the lineup.

“(Watanabe) has done a good job for us leading off,” Barbara said. “He’s really learned how to play the game right. He’s taking pitches, staying inside the ball (to drive it to the opposite field), gotten on base, stolen some bases – stuff you have to do at the top of the order.”

Watanabe is batting .307 (23 for 75) with seven RBIs and three double this season in 22 games played.

“He’s played very well for us this year. We’ve used him mostly against left-handed pitching,” Smith said. “(Watanabe) is actually playing as healthy (this season) as he’s played in three seasons (at Sac State).”

Smith said that he learned about Watanabe through Ryan Kato, one of his former players, who coached Watanabe at Aeia High School. He heard about Tanigawa through his friend Kelsey Iso, who coached Tanigawa at Moanalua High School. On those references, Smith went to watch both of them play and ultimately recruited them because he thought they were good players.

“They both wanted to play in Division I and have a chance to play and Hawaii was pretty stacked at their positions at the time that they were coming out of high school,” Smith said.

Watanabe said he did not know what to expect coming over to the mainland from a small island to play baseball for Sac State. He said that living away from home has helped him grow as an individual and become more independent.

“At first, it was a tough transition … coming from a small island were basically everywhere you go you know everyone, to moving to the states were it’s a different experience because there’s more people,” Watanabe said.

It can be hard for parents to watch their son or daughter go off to college far away from their hometown. In Watanabe’s case, he has to take a four-hour flight to Hawaii to see his family.

“I know (my parents) wanted me to stay close to home so they could watch me play,” Watanabe said. “After seeing me trying to grow and develop as a person, I think they fully support my decision to move away.”

Watanabe’s family has shown its support for him this year by taking trips to Sacramento to watch him play.

“My grandparents and sister came out with them last time. (My family) has made it a point this year for my senior year to come over at least once a month,” Watanabe said.

Watanabe and Tanigawa will return to Hawaii as Hornets when the team faces the Hawaii Rainbows for a four-game WAC series starting on May 2. The Hornets swept the Rainbows in their previous four-game series this season at Hornet Field.

“I think its special for (Watanabe and Tanigawa) to go home and play in front of family and the hometown crowd when we go over there,” Barbara said.

“It’s exciting going back home to play baseball in front of the Hawaii crowd and the people I know,” Watanabe said.

Watanabe used to surf everyday when he attended Aeia High School and tries to when he visits for the holidays. He has been able to catch some waves in Santa Cruz, but admitted that the water was a little colder in California.

“I think when I go back home, I get into a lazier mindset just because it’s the island – it’s got a relaxed feeling to it,” Watanabe said.

“They’ve both been a pleasure to have (as players). They’re both awesome individuals and good students. I never have to worry about them in the classroom and they’re both team-oriented,” Smith said.

Tanigawa to be interviewed by The State Hornet.

Andrew Eggers can be reached at [email protected]