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Tuesday, May 30, 2000

Sugar Mill game
showcases isle prep
baseball talent

By Dave Reardon
Star-Bulletin

Ryan Monico has been accepted to the University of Hawaii's school of architecture.

He also has designs on playing baseball for the Rainbows.

The son of former UH baseball standout Mario Monico didn't get much acclaim in high school, partly because he played for the combined University High/Hawaii Baptist team, which never made it to the state tournament.

Yesterday, the 5-foot-10, 160-pound outfielder got to showcase his ability at the second annual Sugar Mill Classic at Hans L'Orange Park in Waipahu before about 300 spectators, including college and pro scouts.

Monico was among nearly 50 of Hawaii's best high school seniors who played in the game. He went 1-for-2 with a single for the combined Interscholastic League of Honolulu, Maui Interscholastic League and Big Island Interscholastic Federation team.

The Oahu Interscholastic Association and Kauai Interscholastic Federation, coached by Mario Monico, won, 10-8, in 10 innings.

The elder Monico, who walked on at UH and played in Triple-A after a tremendous Rainbow career, said yesterday's extra exposure could help many players.

"A lot of the kids here come from schools that aren't well known (for baseball), so this is a good chance for them to show what they can do," said Monico, a Farrington alumnus.

Campbell's Michael Cabral is a good example. There are much better known catchers, but Cabral stepped up yesterday, displaying good receiving skills and knocking run-scoring singles in all three at- bats.

The game ended with two pitchers better known for football.

Roosevelt's Chad Kapanui got the win, while St. Louis' Gerald Welch took the loss. Both are headed to UH on football scholarships, but might also walk-on for baseball.

"It's impossible to get everyone out here who deserves it, but we try our best," said organizer Eric Tokunaga.