Friday, May 14, 1999
UH seniors want
memorable finish
The Base'Bows face the
By Al Chase
New Mexico Lobos in a
weekend series
Star-BulletinSeniors Michael Dartt, Lars Hansen, Ken Mackenzie, Tracy Nakano, Matt Wheeler and Troy Yoshimasu conclude their home college baseball careers for the Hawaii Rainbows this weekend.
All have been with the program for four years with the exception of Wheeler, who joined the team from Lassen College in 1998.
Entering tonight's opener of a decisive three-game Western Athletic Conference series with New Mexico, the six have played a combined 573 games in the field and made 118 appearances on the mound. That required much hard work, often repetitive, necessary to sharpen skills.
They have endured and profited from countless hours of practice, numerous scrimmages, tedium in the weight room and who knows how many five-mile runs, all in preparation to successfully compete at the Division I level.
They have experienced ups and downs and injuries, but persisted. Each player is on track to graduate within the next school year. All six talked about the memories they'll take with them and some of the moments that stand out in their careers.
"Hopefully this weekend will take the cake," Hansen said, referring to the 'Bows' opportunity to qualify for the WAC playoffs for the first time in seven seasons.As Nakano's career draws to a close, he wrapped four seasons into one series.
"My one thought is we're all going to come out and fight hard this weekend. We need to win two, but it would be better to sweep. It's our last games and we want to make them count," he said.
Yoshimasu will remember being part of the team that gave UH head coach Les Murakami his 1,000th victory last season.
"For me, the highlight of coming here was not so much the baseball, but the people you're around here, my teammates, the coaches and all. That's the most important thing for me," said Wheeler.
That was a thought expressed in various ways by all the seniors. They look at the friendships they've made and know many will be lasting.
"It's been good to play with these guys. I'll remember meeting a whole new crew every year, hearing about what they've done and how they've accomplished those things," Mackenzie said.
Dartt, from Lilburn, Ga., came the farthest to play for UH.
"It's given me an opportunity to grow up a lot," Dartt said. "In baseball you can go three weeks without striking out, then strikeout three times in one game. It teaches you to control your emotions and deal with adversity. Out here you have to deal with it. You can't always run home."
Hansen thinks about the teammates he's had and some of the players he's competed against.
"There are guys I've played against who are in the big leagues already," Hansen said. "Jeff Weaver is in the bigs and I hit a home run off him. It's kind of cool to say you faced him. That's probably what I'll remember more than anything else."
Yoshimasu has something unique to remember. He was the winning pitcher in two Rainbow Easter Tournament championship games. The first was in relief his freshman season against Lewis-Clark State. The second happened this season when he started and beat Fresno State.
"The one thing I remember about all these guys is they never made the WAC playoffs and this is their last chance," Murakami said. "For the most part, these seniors are one of the most academic groups we've had."
Their highlights encompass all four years.
Mackenzie's came two years ago in a game against Fresno State.
"We were losing and I pitched four innings of middle relief," he said. "We came back and got the win against Jeff Weaver (a No. 1 draft pick now with the Detroit Tigers)."
Dartt points to two games and a series.
"My sophomore year I got my first game-winning hit against San Diego State," he said. "Last year we rallied to beat San Jose State with four straight hits after two were out in the bottom of the ninth. And, this year, just the whole series against Wichita State."
The Rainbows' fast start this season stands out for Wheeler.
"It's the finest time I've had playing in a long time," he said.
Yoshimasu also draws on the WSU series for a highlight.
"I struck out (first baseman) Pat Magness twice and got the win," he said. "My teammates made it easy because we had already beat them twice and we got a lot of runs. There was no pressure."
"It was my sophomore year against UNLV," said Nakano. "We had been struggling and were down by two runs in the last inning. The first two guys got on. I tried to sacrifice but failed, then hit a triple down the right-field line to tie the game and we eventually won it."
Hansen goes back to his freshman year when the 'Bows were playing Stanford. Hansen knew many Cardinal players because his brother, Jed, played for Stanford.
"Next thing you know, I'm sitting behind home plate and talking stories with them and thinking "Why am I here, why am I lucky enough to be in this position,' " Hansen said.
RAINBOW PLAYBOOK
vs. New Mexico Lobos
Coaches: NM, Rich Alday (10th season, 288-273-2, .513). UH, Les Murakami (29th season, 1,049-540-4, .660).
