World-class softball
returning to Hawaii

The top national teams in the world will be back in Hawaii next year, as USA Softball has decided to make the U.S. Cup Hawaii an annual event.

Last week the U.S. swept the four-team tournament, which also included Australia, China and Japan, at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

Also, the tournament will expand next year to include the world's top six teams, assistant tournament director Melody Toth said.

"We also hope to host the World Championships, maybe six or 10 years from now," Toth said.

UH names Anderson as new swim coach

Mike Anderson is the new head coach of the University of Hawaii swimming and diving team.

Anderson comes to UH from the Alabama program, where he had been associate head coach since 1999. Previously, he was head coach of the women's team at Nevada, which took five Big West championships.

"My goal is to ... make our team competitive with anyone in the country," Anderson said.

Anderson replaces Sam Freas. Bruce Kennard had served as acting head coach since Freas left last fall.

Lawson tops field in Maui Junior PGA event

Brandon Lawson of Elburn, Ill., shot a 5-under-par 67 yesterday to win the PGA Junior Golf Series at Wailea Golf Club on Maui with a tournament-best 208. He shot a 68 in the first round and a 73 in the second.

Lawson won the boys 13-15 age group by 10 strokes over Travis Toyama of Kaneohe. Kellen Watabu of Kapaa was another stroke back.

Gabriel Wilson of Kurtistown won the boys 16-17 age group, shooting a 1-under 71 in yesterday's third round, four strokes better than Hilo's Brett Furitani and six better than Chaz Inouye of Kihei.

Lindsay Hong of Honolulu won a playoff against Kiilani Matsuyoshi of Kapaa after both finished at 231, 15-over-par. Hong and third-place finisher Lisa Kajihara of Makawao had led Matsuyoshi by five strokes entering the final round. Kajihara finished a stroke back.

Ayumi Hori of Honolulu won the 16-17 girls division by four strokes over Rie Ganir of Pukalani. Hori bounced back from an 81 in the second round to shoot a 74 yesterday.

Hawaii's own

Benny Agbayani: Despite hitting .405 over his career against the Cubs, the St. Louis and Hawaii Pacific alumnus was held out of the starting lineup in favor of Lenny Harris in the Mets' 5-4 win over Chicago yesterday.

Agbayani did come in to pinch hit for Mark Johnson with a runner on and the Mets trailing by a run in the seventh inning. Cubs manager Don Baylor countered by bringing in rookie lefty Will Ohman, who struck out the .293 (12-41) career pinch hitter to end the inning.

Jay Spurgeon: The former University of Hawaii pitcher still has not appeared in a game for the Orioles yet this season. He is expected to work out in the bullpen despite making 14 starts for Triple-A Rochester.

Mike Fetters: The Iolani School alumnus is still on the 15-day disabled list and is eligible to come off July 5. This is the seventh time he's gone on the DL in his 13-year career.