Vulcans lead off
with San Diego

Coach Joey Estrella has a young team
but is 'optimistic' about the season

The Hawaii-Hilo baseball team opens its 29th season under coach Joey Estrella tomorrow with the first of five games against the San Diego Toreros.

Vulcans schedule All times Hawaii time January Tomorrow: San Diego, 6 p.m. Thursday: U. San Diego, 6 p.m. Friday: San Diego, 6 p.m. Saturday: San Diego (2), 1 p.m. February 4: Kansas, 6 p.m. 5: Kansas, 1 p.m., Kailua-Kona. 6: Kansas, noon, Kailua-Kona. 7: Kansas, 6 p.m. 8: Kansas, 6 p.m. 9: Kansas, 6 p.m. 11: Alumni, 6 p.m. 12: Hawaii Pacific (2), noon. 13: Hawaii Pacific (2), 11 a.m. 17: Nebraska, 6 p.m. 18: Nebraska, 6 p.m. 19: Nebraska (2), 11 a.m., Kailua-Kona. 20: Nebraska, 11 a.m., Kailua-Kona. 24: Wichita State, 1 p.m., Kailua-Kona. 25: Wichita State, 1 p.m., Kailua-Kona. 26: Wichita State (2), 11 a.m., Kailua-Kona. 27: Wichita State, 2 p.m. March 4: Florida State, 6 p.m. 5: Florida State, 1 p.m., Kailua-Kona. 6: Florida State (2), 11 a.m., Kailua-Kona. 7: Florida State, 3 p.m. 9: Meijo (Japan), 6 p.m. 10: Meijo (Japan), 6 p.m. 11: Meijo (Japan) (2), 3 p.m. 12: Meijo (Japan), 6 p.m. 13: Meijo (Japan), 6 p.m. 18: California, 6 p.m. 19: California (2), 1 p.m. 20: California, 1 p.m. April 5: at Pacific. 7: at Sacramento State. 8: at Sacramento State. 9: at Sacramento State. 10: at Sacramento State. 16: at Hawaii Pacific (2), 4 p.m., Aloha Stadium. 17: at Hawaii Pacific (2), 11 a.m., Aloha Stadium. Home games at Hilo's Francis Wong Stadium, unless noted.

The Toreros were swept in a three-game series by Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo last weekend.

The Vulcans have 40 games, including six exhibitions against Japan's Meijo University, scheduled for the Big Island and conclude the season with nine road games.

Kansas, Hawaii Pacific, Nebraska, Wichita State, Florida State, Meijo and California follow San Diego to the Big Island in February and March.

UHH travels to the mainland in early April for one game at Pacific and four at Sacramento State. The Vulcans finish the regular season with doubleheaders against HPU at Aloha Stadium April 16 and 17.

"I'm optimistic from the standpoint that the fall was such a pleasure. The players' attitude has been so great," Estrella said.

"We had some key players we were counting on not come back, but that's all right. Maybe it was time we retooled. We only have eight returnees and we'll be young."

UHH assistant athletic director Kallen Miyatake is now associate head coach, a big plus according to Estrella, who would like to see Miyatake take over the program in the future.

The assistant coach is Kevin Yee and the volunteer is Kevin Kane, a 1979 first-round pick by the Boston Red Sox who played pro ball for seven seasons.

"I believe having these coaches on board is why the fall went so well," Estrella said. "Of course, we're all undefeated now and that can change."

Jimmy Crider and Gary Ahu, Jr., junior college transfers, will solidify the middle at short and second, two positions Estrella called a revolving door last year.

Senior Johnny Dudoit is the incumbent third baseman. Freshmen Alvis Satele (Kamehameha) and Mark Veneri (Punahou) will handle first base. Tyler Curtis, a JC transfer, will start behind the plate.

The outfield positions will be manned by junior David Chu (Kaiser), freshman Dayne Ogawa (Kamehameha), freshman Michael Higa (Pearl City) or JC transfer Chris Campbell.

Senior left-hander John Matson is the opening-day pitcher. JC transfers, right-hander Vinny Biggs and left-hander John Pinasco, and junior Tyson Usui (St. Joseph) follow Matson. Ryan Olszewski would be the fifth starter if not used in long relief earlier in a series.

"We will be competitive and we'll try to be exciting," said Estrella.