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Friday, February 25, 2000
Versatile Kenn
Wakakuwa tries to
fire up ’Bows
The senior's biggest challenge
is to channel his emotions as Hawaii
opens a series against Cal State
Sacramento tonightVulcans open WAC play at San Jose
By Al Chase
Star-BulletinKenn Wakakuwa needs to bring three gloves to every University of Hawaii baseball practice.
It is the same for games. He never knows if Rainbow head coach Les Murakami will pencil in catcher, first base or second base next to his name on the lineup card.
The veteran catcher has also played the other two positions for the Rainbows this season. And Murakami says he wouldn't hesitate using Wakakuwa at third base.
"I was taught that if you can hit, they will find somewhere for you to play," Wakakuwa said. "At Seminole (State), the coach put me in right field for the first game of the regionals. I had never played there my entire life.
"But I don't think it's hard to play different positions if you know the game. Being a catcher helps because you have to know what's going on everywhere.''
Perhaps the biggest challenge for the 5-foot-10 senior is keeping his emotions in check. There are times when he is his own worst enemy.
He knows it. He's been told about it. This year, he has worked hard at controlling it.
The problem stems from his desire for perfection.
"I might mash myself between at-bats, wondering why I didn't get a hit,'' he said. "Maybe people misunderstand me, thinking I'm selfish, but I get upset when there are guys on base and I couldn't get them in. I couldn't contribute. I didn't do my job.
"In a game everyone gets at least one chance to make a difference and if you don't do your job, it's hard to just sit on it. I know what the coaches mean when they say it's a long game, a long season, but that's why I did good in high school, because I expected to bat 1.000.''
Wakakuwa first played for the Rainbows in 1996 after leading Hilo High to three Big Island Interscholastic Federation championships and batting .632 his senior season.
He hit .306 for UH as a freshman, but didn't hit the books with the same authority.
He redshirted in 1997, then went to junior college at Seminole State in Oklahoma in 1998.
He returned to the Rainbows last season, struggled early but finished with a .294 batting average. His frustration showed more than once, and he took it out on equipment in the dugout.
"I'm trying hard not to come in and slam stuff around. I'm not sure I'm better at it yet, but I'm trying," he said.
This season, Wakakuwa is batting .295 entering tonight's opener of a three-game series at Rainbow Stadium against Cal State Sacramento. He is second on the team with 10 RBIs and has a modest three-game hitting streak.
Although Wakakuwa knows he's getting close to the end of his career, he would jump at the chance to play professionally, even if it's just rookie ball. Then he would be able to say he got the chance and tried.
"It's going to have to turn around for me this season or that's it," he said.
Wakakuwa says the 2000 Rainbows have talent and more depth than a year ago.
"I just hope no one panics,'' he said. "We need a good comeback win. Then we just have to play like we were winning all the time. "This game is supposed to be fun and the only way it can be fun for me is to win.''
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UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
Vulcans open WAC
By Al Chase
play at San Jose
Star-BulletinThe University of Hawaii at Hilo baseball team makes its long-awaited debut in the Western Athletic Conference this weekend when the Vulcans open a three-game series at San Jose State tomorrow.
Head coach Joey Estrella said the Vulcans have to be realistic as they make the move from an independent to an NCAA Division I conference member.
"Everything is relative,'' Estrella said. "We are 9-10, but that's because we've played at home where we're very comfortable.
"We're not going up there busting to set the world on fire."
Estrella has settled on two starting pitchers, but is still searching for a quality third starter for his rotation.
Seniors Thomas Ford, a 6-foot left-hander, and Kaholo Rickard, a 6-1 right-hander, are both 3-0.
Rickard has a sparkling 0.68 earned-run average and Ford is right behind at 1.18.
Luke Holscher (1-2, 7.11), a 6-2 freshman right-hander, will start the third game against the Spartans (7-2). SJSU is on a six-game winning streak.
Estrella said two reasons the Vulcans are an improved team is the defensive play of transfers Brian Rooke and Ryan Petersen in center and right field, respectively.
"We had very little speed in the outfield last year and they have really helped," Estrella said. "It may be the best defensive outfield we've had since the mid-80s."
Sophomore shortstop Brandon Chaves has been solid in the field and is hitting .298 with a team-best 10 runs batted in. Estrella considers him a pro prospect.
Another infielder, sophomore Keola Park, leads the Vulcans with a .343 batting average.
"I real pleased with where we are right now," Estrella said. "Yes, we'd like to be at .500, but we have already equaled last year's win total.
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