Paul Ah Yat has a new team.
Photo by Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin

During his first two years with the University of Hawaii baseball program, he had an average 6-4 record and ERA of 4.72.

Fortunately for the former Iolani standout, he had the kind of senior year that caused scouts in the area to take a second look.

As a result, the crafty left-hander was selected yesterday by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 21st round of the major league draft.

"I am very happy for Paul," UH head coach Les Murakami said yesterday through a press release.

"He worked hard and was deserving of the selection. A lot of scouts really picked up on him at San Diego State when he was clocked at 89 mph."

Ah Yat also showed the kind of leadership necessary for a team to have success when things aren't always at there best. While ace Mark Johnson, who was drafted Tuesday in the first round by the Houston Astros, was struggling, Ah Yat became the most consistent pitcher on the UH staff.

His 10-6 record was best on the team, and his 4.66 ERA was second only to Johnson's 4.60. Ah Yat also managed 87 strikeouts in 112 innings pitched and had one save.

"I'm excited, but it really hasn't hit me yet," Ah Yat said. "I'll be leaving as soon as I find out where I'm going. This is the chance I was hoping for.

"I'm a little surprised to get drafted so soon. I must have impressed some scouts when we were on the mainland."

Ah Yat will either report to Augusta, Ga. (season under way) or Pennsylvania in the New York-Penn League (short-season which begins soon).

Ah Yat pitched well the latter half of the season by winning five of his last seven games. He threw four complete games in 16 starts and also had three relief appearances.

At the baseball banquet last month, Ah Yat was named the outstanding pitcher and was the most inspirational player as well. He also was selected as an honorable mention to the Smith Super Team.

The Rainbows also had their second incoming freshman drafted in as many days. Randall Benge was taken in the 38th round by the Philadelphia Phillies.

Fellow incoming freshman Jared Sandberg was chosen by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays during the 16th round on Tuesday. Both are expected to enroll at UH in the fall.

Benge is from Yacott, Wash., and is a 1996 graduate of Fort Vancouver High School. The 6-

foot-4, 225-pounder has been clocked at 92 mph. He also has a good slider.

The only other UH player who has a good shot at being drafted is infielder Jody Napuunoa. Jason Ross was picked by the Atlanta Braves in the 13th round on Tuesday.