Hawaii Beat

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Tuesday, April 9, 1996

Honma named player of the week

University of Hawaii designated hitter Neal Honma, who went 12-for-17 in the four-game series against Sacramento State, yesterday was named Western Athletic Conference Western Division player of the week.

Honma, from Pearl City, had a .705 batting average against the Hornets, with eight runs scored and six runs batted in to go with eight stolen bases in nine attempts. His hits included two home runs, two doubles and a triple.

In a 15-6 win in the third game, Honma went 5-for-5 as he hit for the cycle, only the fifth Rainbow to accomplish the feat - and the first at Rainbow Stadium.

Fresno State right-hander Jeff Weaver was named the Western Division pitcher of the week for the third consecutive week after picking up his ninth win and ninth straight complete game.

WAHINE GOLFERS RANKED

The University of Hawaii women's golf team is ranked 50th in the country in the latest Rolex Collegiate Golf Rankings.

While the men's team did not make it into the rankings, Rainbows senior Mike Pavao is ranked 81st individually. He is sixth in District 7. Freshman Van Wright is 10th in the district and could break into the top 100 rankings with his sixth-place finish last week.

In Utah yesterday, the Wahine stood 10th in a field of 17 in the 54-hole Utah-Dixie Classic at the Sunbrook Golf Club. Hawaii was led by Dawn Kaneshiro, tied for 32nd place with a score of 161 for 36 holes.

NAKANO LEADS ALL-SERVICES

Keiko Nakano topped the first-round board in the All-Services Women's Golf Invitational at Hickam Golf Course yesterday.

Nakano carded 80, four strokes up on Lily Lee and Terri Lui, who were tied for second place.

GARCIA HANGS TOUGH

At Victoria, Australia, Sunny Garcia is the only Hawaii surfer remaining in the $105,000 Rip Curl Pro at Bells Beach after defeating fellow isle wave rider John Shimooka in the fourth round yesterday. Surf willing, the meet was to wrap up today with the quarterfinals, semifinals and finals.

Meanwhile, Rochelle Ballard of Hawaii tied for third place in the $25,000 Quit Women's Classic with Michele Donoghoe of Australia. Each earned $1,800.

Australian Pauline Menczer won the event, with Florida's Lisa Anderson taking second place.

JUNIOR NETTERS ADVANCE

At Palm Springs, Calif., Zachary Knysh of Kailua defeated Kevin Gill of Indianapolis, 6-2, 6-2, in boys' 16-year-olds play in the Easter Bowl Junior Tennis Championships.

In boys' 14-year-olds play, Maui's Dax Hankerson defeated Michael Nguyen of Mission Viejo, Calif., 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6).

In girls' 14 play, Maui's Jafra DePontes lost to Jessica Roland of Hollywood, Calif., 6-2, 6-1.

KIKU-TV ENDS SUMO COVERAGE

After providing Hawaii's sumo fans with concise reports on Japan's sumo tournaments for more than 25 years, "Ozumo Digest" aired for the last time on KIKU-TV on March 25.

"It's simply a case of economics winning out over sentimentality," said Joanne Ninomiya, KIKU general manager. "The high yen made the cost of importing the show prohibitive, and local advertising support and viewer interest seemed to wane in the past year."