West Oahu loses in Babe
Ruth World Series game

The West Oahu baseball team lost to Edison, N.J., 8-7, yesterday in the opening round of the Babe Ruth World Series at Joe Bilskie Field in Vincennes, Ind.

T.J. Esclito and John Corella were a combined 5-for-7 with three runs scored and one RBI, but it just wasn't enough for West Oahu to secure the win.

It was the second loss for the Hawaii team.

West Oahu continues pool play today against New Orleans and Eugene, Ore., tomorrow.

If West Oahu advances out of pool play, it begins single elimination on Friday.

Coronado captures local water polo tourney

San Diego Coronado needed a shootout to finally submerge the Hawaii Islands, 9-8, in this past weekend's 33rd annual Hawaiian Invitational Water Polo Tournament.

The score was tied (5-5) in the girls 18 and under event at the end of regulation. It remained that way after a 10-minute sudden-death playoff, forcing the shootout.

Wong travels to China for University Games

Pearl City's Scott Wong is one of 12 members of the USA men's volleyball team set to compete tomorrow in the 2001 USA Summer World University Games in Beijing, China.

Wong is one of three players who were also a part of the USA men's national team.

Wong was born in Hawaii, but is of Chinese descent by way of his father, Lloyd.

This is the first major international competition for six members of the team. The squad has been training for the last two months in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Nakama returns to Stanford as assistant

Stanford announced the hiring of former Hawaii Island Movers coach David Nakama as an assistant baseball coach yesterday.

Nakama, who has spent the last three seasons as the head coach at Division II San Francisco State, will serve as Stanford's first base coach and work primarily with the team's hitters and infielders.

"I'm excited to be coming back to Stanford," said Nakama, a Cardinal assistant coach for the 1997 and 1998 campaigns. "Stanford is one of the best baseball programs in the country, year in and year out, with a great tradition. It's an incredible opportunity for me to come back and be part of this program again."

Nakama was one of 70-plus coaches who applied for the head coaching job at the University of Hawaii last year. He served as the head coach (2000-01) and the associate head coach (1994-96) of the Island Movers summer collegiate baseball squad.

"We're very fortunate to have David Nakama back as a member of the Stanford baseball coaching staff," added Stanford head coach Mark Marquess. "We're very fortunate to hire an assistant coach who has been a head coach at a Division II program but wanted to get back into Division I.

"It makes things a lot easier that he has already been a part of our program. He knows Stanford baseball and the way we do things. His previous experience in our program will be valuable to our club."

During Nakama's previous two-year stint at Stanford, the Cardinal compiled an 87-34-1 record. Stanford advanced to the College World Series before finishing third in the CWS during Nakama's first season in 1997. The team spent the entire 1998 season as the nation's top-ranked team and qualified for the NCAA Tournament before being upset in the West Regional. Stanford won Pac-10 Southern Division titles both years.

Nakama also spent six seasons as the head coach at Mission Junior College (1991-96) and led his squad to the California State Tournament in each of his final two years. He was also named the 1996 Coast Conference Coach of the Year.

Prior to taking the head coaching job at Mission, Nakama served assistant coaching stints at DeAnza JC (1990-91), Yavapai JC (1988-90), Iowa (1986-88) and Northern Colorado (1984-86).

Hawaii's Own

Benny Agbayani, Mets: The St. Louis and Hawaii Pacific alumnus had the day off, as New York spent the day preparing for a three-game series against Colorado.

Mike Fetters, Pirates: The Iolani graduate did not play, as Pittsburgh had the day off. Fetters may have a chance to indirectly help out his former Los Angeles teammates as Pittsburgh hosts NL West-leading Arizona for three games. The Dodgers trail the Diamondbacks by 512 games.

Chris Truby, Astros: The Damien alumnus did not play on the team's off-day. Houston plays at Philadelphia today.