Friday, April 13, 2001
Omori recovers Gregg Omori waited a year to put on a University of Hawaii Rainbow baseball uniform in a game that counted. Then he took a little longer to get back in the groove at the plate.
from 2 years
of turmoil
After an entire year off,
By Al Chase
the Iolani graduate needed
one short break to get going
Star-BulletinThe Iolani graduate wanted to return to Hawaii following his first season at the University of San Francisco, a season in which he earned freshman All-America honors. But the USF coaches talked him in to returning.
Then, after his sophomore season, Omori asked for his release. The USF coaches refused to grant it.
When told by USF officials that he and one parent had to fly to San Francisco to appeal, Omori closed the chapter on his time with the Dons and redshirted for UH's 2000 season.
"It was hard watching games, not being on the field, just practicing with the team. I'm glad it's over," Omori said.
He played in the Oahu Open League last summer, but had to concentrate on summer school to make up for credits lost (UH accepted just 28 of his USF credits) when he transferred.
Omori prefers playing up the middle. Second base is his top choice, but he can play first base or the outfield. Occasionally he is the designated hitter, which usually indicates the tendinitis in his right elbow has flared up.
"It started in San Francisco my freshman year when I played a little third base. Every once in a while it comes back. I just have to rest it a little while and it goes away," Omori said.
His production at the plate was up and down early in the season. When his batting average dropped 38 points to .284 on the six-game California road trip, UH acting head coach Carl Furutani decided a brief rest was necessary.
Omori felt staying out for a year and not seeing live pitching was the reason.
"Some of it was our fault," Furutani said. "We stated before the season started that Gregg was our best pure hitter. That put pressure on him. But it was a fact."
Omori sat out the middle game of the Rice series. Furutani told Omori the world wasn't on his shoulders, that he should just go out and do what he was capable of accomplishing and have fun.
He sat back, relaxed and returned to the lineup for the finale against Rice. He was 3-for-5 with a home run and two runs batted in.
Since the one-game break, the 5-foot-11, 185-pound Omori has hit safely in 15 of 17 games, gone 24 for 69 at the plate (.348) and knocked in 19 runs.
"I definitely struggled a lot at the beginning of the year," Omori said. "Just recently, I've started to feel comfortable again. I'm not where I was in San Francisco.
"I'm seeing balls better. I'm able to pick out certain pitches right out of the pitcher's hand easier and earlier.
"It's hard to explain, but you just feel like you're in a zone. I've been feeling that for awhile although I haven't really gotten back to where I feel I can't make an out."
Omori's batting average is up to .313. He leads the Rainbows in RBIs (31) and doubles (12) and is tied with Patrick Scalabrini for most home runs (6) and hits (47).
"All last year, Gregg didn't just sit. He was in the weight room, at all our games and helped keep charts. He was committed to the team. We know it was frustrating not playing, but he worked to get closer to his goals." Furutani said.
'Bow bunts: UH pitchers have been charged with 11 balks, a single-season record. When Will Quaglieri balked twice in the same inning Monday night he erased a record held by many.
When: 8:05 a.m. tomorrow, 10:05 a.m. Sunday, 9:35 a.m. Monday
Where: Fort Worth, Texas
TV: None
Radio: Live, 1420-AM
Internet: uhathletics.hawaii.edu/Sportslive/ listen.html
Probable starting pitchers
Hawaii (17-20, 7-14 WAC)
W-L ERA K RHP Jeff Coleman (Jr.) 3-5 3.96 56 RHP Sean Yamashita (Jr.) 2-5 5.23 47 RHP Wakon Childers (Sr.) 1-0 3.63 19 Texas Christian (22-16, 13-7 WAC)
W-L ERA K RHP Chris Bradshaw (Sr.) 6-3 3.43 66 LHP Justin Crowder (Jr.) 4-3 3.92 36 RHP To be announced Notes: The Rainbows and Horned Frogs have met 17 times, with TCU holding a 12-5 edge overall and winning seven of eight games in Fort Worth. ... The Horned Frogs swept the three-game series in Honolulu earlier this year by scores of 8-5, 13-3 and 11-8. ... Hawaii's Matt Purtell leads the Western Athletic Conference with 17 stolen bases. ... UH outfielder Nate Jackson will make the trip and is expected to receive medical clearance to play against TCU. ... The Rainbows have rescheduled the game rained out at Sacramento State earlier this year. The teams will play May 1, two days before UH opens a WAC series at Nevada.
http://uhathletics.hawaii.edu
