As far as cliché go, this is an oldie, but goodie.

Over the years thousands of hitters at every level of the game have utter the phrase — "That ball looks as big as a beach ball."

Sure it's a worn out statement, but for former Granite Bay High standout Kyle Saukko it was the obvious choice.

"It's funny, I was just saying that the other day," said Saukko, a freshman outfielder at Sierra College. "It's crazy right now because the pitching at this level is really tough, but it seems like just about everything I swing at turns out well."

And as Big 8 Conference play heats up, Saukko doesn't appear to be cooling off anytime soon, tallying six more hits in two games this week to raise his average to .452 on the year.

Including Saukko, Sierra (22-7, 3-3) has four players hitting over .400 (Ryan Stevens, Logan Lotti and Brian Wright) and is leading the conference in hitting (.346) and fielding percentage (.967).

However, with four straight one-run losses the team has hit its first mini-slump of the season. This week Sierra suffered home losses to American River (4-3) on Tuesday (Saukko went 4 for 5) and Modesto (6-5) Thursday. The Wolverines hosted Delta College on Saturday.

After hitting .378 with a .449 on-base percentage his senior year at Granite Bay, Saukko was drafted by Colorado in the 46th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball draft, but opted for Sierra rather than signing with the Rockies.

"I really wanted to see what the competition was like at this level," said Saukko, who credits his parents, Colleen, a former track star at Hiram Johnson High, and Andy, who played football at Sacramento State, for his athletic prowess. "After Sierra I really want to go a Pac-10 school and get a degree and then hopefully play professionally after that."

In the 25 games Saukko has taken the field this season he has an astounding 19 multiple-hit games, a tribute to not only his physical abilities, but also the renewed focus on the mental side of the game.

"He's become a lot better at understanding what the pitcher is going to throw in different situations," said former Rocklin High standout and current Sierra pitcher Jeremy Cole, who has played with and against Saukko since they were 10-years old. "In high school he was easier to strikeout, but now he's taking the game more serious and has really cut down the strikeouts and improved on his ability to put the ball in play."

Through 25 games, Saukko has 47 hits with only 15 strikeouts good for an on-base percentage nearing .600.

"He using the whole field so well," said Sierra coach Rob Willson. "He's really worked on waiting back, seeing the ball longer, which is like pushing the mound back a foot. He's a left handed hitter so why not hit the ball the other way and utilize the speed."

According the Willson, Major League Baseball scouts compare the 6-foot-1 inch, 175-pound Saukko's style with that of Seattle Mariners' star Ichiro Suzuki, who possesses the rare ability to hit to all fields with consistency and power.

"He's got a major league arm and major league speed," said Willson. "I would not be the least bit surprised to see him playing at the highest level in a few years."

TENNIS

Sierra women 6, Shasta 0

The Wolverines swept the Knights Friday at Auburn Racquet Club to close out the Big 8 Conference regular season with a 9-1 record. Sierra tied with Santa Rosa for the regular season title.

The match was shortened to only singles play due to rain and the defending state champions did not give up a set.

Jaclyn Thompson rolled to a 6-3, 6-3 win while Niccole Satchwell won 6-2, 6-4. Krystle Tran cruised to a 6-3, 6-1 win and Mackenzie Martin posted a 6-0, 6-0 shutout. Katelyn Mosbacher had a 6-4, 6-3 win and Asako Komatsu won 6-2, 6-0.

Sierra men 6, Shasta 0 — The Wolverines swept away Shasta to cap a great week on the courts. Sierra finished the regular season with a 4-6 record in the Big 8 with the conference tournament coming up on April 11 in Pleasant Hill.

Mitch Batchlor led the way Friday with a 7-6, 6-1 victory. Tyler Loney was a 6-2, 6-0 winner while Rob Carlin won 6-0, 6-4. Sonny Hannon won 6-0, 6-4, Josh Sorenson took a 6-2, 6-1 decision and Jake Gewerth rallied for a 6-2, 4-6, 3-2 win in a match called due to rain.

SOFTBALL

Sierra 8, Cosumnes River 2

The Wolverines (22-8, 6-0) returned to the field after a week off and cruised to an easy win over Cosumnes. Nicole Kociemba picked up the win for Sierra and Megan Wheeler (two runs batted in, HR) and Amanda Morales (two RBI) paced the offense.

Sierra is hosting the Wolverine Classic this weekend at the Sacramento Sofball Complex.