Friday, January 15, 1999
Vulcans book
By Al Chase
tough schedule
Star-BulletinHawaii-Hilo head baseball coach Joey Estrella may have $0 for recruiting, but that hasn't stopped him from loading his 1999 schedule with quality opponents, including three ranked in preseason polls.
The Vulcans' season begins today with the first of five games against NCAA Division II Sonoma State (Calif.) at 5 p.m. at Francis Wong Stadium.
Then, from Jan. 21 to Feb. 15, they have 23 games against NCAA Division I teams. No. 1 Wichita State, No. 12 Arizona State and No. 16 UCLA highlight the parade that also has Arizona and San Diego State visiting the Big Island.
After a week competing in the Rainbow Easter Baseball tournament, the Vulcans travel to California for seven games, then conclude the season with three games against the Hawaii Rainbows.
"It's going to be a great learning experience, . . . but one of the fears I have is it's too tough a schedule," Estrella said "We're a very young team (19 freshmen and sophomores). It wasn't planned this way, but now it could be a positive with us joining the WAC next season."
Senior left-hander Thomas Ford heads up the UHH staff. Sophomore right-hander Ben Siff, coming off a solid freshman season, joins the starting rotation.
Estrella is counting on four junior college transfers and their experience to help the Vulcans. They are catcher Dana McCracken, first baseman/designated hitter Kevin Yee, second baseman Brad Sanchez -- an all-conference player for Lassen last season -- and right fielder Pat Lynch.
Returning starters include junior Davey Meguro at shortstop, senior Scott Wallis at third base, senior Layne Takahashi in center field, junior Shaye Miura in left field and senior designated hitter Paul Yap.
UH-Hilo Vulcans
1999 scheduleToday: Sonoma State, 5 p.m., Wong Stadium. January
Tomorrow: Sonoma State (2), 5 p.m., UHH Stadium.
Sunday: Sonoma State, 1 p.m., UHH Stadium.
Monday: Sonoma State, 1 p.m., Old Kona Airport Baseball Field.
Thursday: Arizona State, 5 p.m., Wong Stadium.
22: Arizona State, 5 p.m., Wong Stadium.
23: Arizona State (2), 1 p.m., UHH Stadium. 24: Arizona State, 1 p.m., Old Kona Airport Baseball Field.
25: UCLA, 5 p.m., UHH Stadium.
26: UCLA, 1 p.m., Old Kona Airport Baseball Field.
28: Arizona, 5 p.m., Wong Stadium.
29: Arizona, 5 p.m., Wong Stadium.
30: Arizona (2), 1 p.m., UHH Stadium.
31: Arizona, 1 p.m., Old Kona Airport Baseball Field.
5: Alumni (exhibition), 7 p.m., UHH Stadium. February
8: San Diego State, 5 p.m., Wong Stadium.
9: San Diego State (2), 3 p.m., UHH Stadium.
10: San Diego State, 5 p.m., UHH Stadium.
13: Wichita State (2), 11 a.m., Old Kona Airport Baseball Field.
14: Wichita State (2), 11 a.m., Old Kona Airport Baseball Field.
15: Wichita State (2), noon, UHH Stadium.
20: Hawaii Pacific (2), 1 p.m., UHH Stadium. 21: Hawaii Pacific (2), 1 p.m., UHH Stadium.
25: Matsusaka, Japan, 5 p.m., UHH Stadium (exhibition).
27: Matsusaka, Japan (2), 1 p.m., UHH Stadium (exhibition).
28: Matsusaka, Japan (2), 11 a.m., Old Kona Airport Baseball Field.(exhibition).
22-28: Rainbow Easter Baseball Tournament March
Games at Rainbow Stadium.
22: vs. Nittaidai (Japan), 2:30 p.m.
23: vs. Hawaii Pacific, 11 a.m.
24: vs. Northwestern, 2:30 p.m.
25: vs. Hawaii, 6:37 p.m.
26: vs. Fresno State, 2:30 p.m.
27: Playoffs TBA.
28: Finals TBA.
30: at San Diego.
1, 2, 3: at San Diego State (Doubleheader April 2). April
5: at Cal Poly (2).
16: at Hawaii, 6:35 p.m., Rainbow Stadium.
17: vs. Hawaii, noon, Maui War Memorial Stadium.
18: Hawaii, 1 p.m., Wong Stadium.
http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu
