Monday, January 14, 2002
[ DIVISION II SPORTS ]
The Hawaii-Hilo baseball team has a new look in 2002. New-look Hilo tries to
forget about 2001By Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.comThere are 20 new players plus two players who redshirted last season and new assistant coaches.
Butch McNally, husband of UHH athletic director Kathleen McNally, and Bud Bailey, both with college coaching experience on the East Coast, and student coach Billy Rayl will assist Joey Estrella, who starts his 26th season at the Vulcan helm.
"Last year was one of the most trying years we've ever had, from the won-lost record (5-45) to getting team chemistry going, and we never got it all year," said Estrella.
"This year, the team chemistry is pretty good. It's a close team that does a lot of things together. I really had to look at my philosophies as far as team building. If there is a lack of team chemistry, it stops at the head man."
The Vulcans are young and they play a schedule that would challenge any Division I team. Florida State, Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, San Diego State, Oral Roberts, UCLA, Pepperdine, Brigham Young, Santa Clara and intra-state rival Hawaii all visit the Big Island.
The Vulcans will participate in the Rainbow Easter Tournament, then make a mainland trip in April, with stops at Oregon State, Sacramento State and Pacific.
"I think we're going to be a little shy as far as starting pitching. We have some quality arms, but not enough to compete at this Division I level," Estrella said. "Overall, we have a lot more depth than in recent years. The junior college kids have to rethink and retool to the NCAA level, but their two years of experience is a big plus."
Nalei Sooto is the full-time catcher, after sharing the position last year.
Johnny Dudoit will be at third base and Chad Agustin at second. Daniel Lockett has been playing shortstop, but freshmen Travis Hayashida and Ryan Oberg are bidding for playing time at the position, according to Estrella.
"Lockett also catches and can pitch," said Estrella. "We want to try transfer Scott McLaughlin at first base. He's 6-foot-5 and can get pop on the ball. Keola Park, who played there last year, is going to try and play right field."
Returnees Kaliko Oligo and Darren Chu will complete the outfield in left and center. Doug Nassimbene, a transfer from Sacramento City College, also is an outfield candidate.
Notes: Estrella said the baseball program will remain at the NCAA Division I level at least through 2003. "Beyond that, it seems optimistic that we will continue as a D-I program. There is talk of our entire program going D-I," he said. ... Anthony Bernal, ace right-hander of the Vulcan staff a year ago but winless in 11 decisions, transferred to Fresno State for his senior year.
Tomorrow: Sonoma State (2), 5 p.m. Wednesday: Sonoma State (2), 4 p.m. VULCANS 2002 SCHEDULE
Friday: Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, 6 p.m. Saturday: Cal Poly-SLO (2), 1 p.m. Jan. 20: Cal Poly-SLO (2), noon. 21: Cal Poly-SLO, noon.
Jan. 26: Florida State, 1 p.m. 27: Florida State (2), 11 a.m. 28: Florida State, 2 p.m.
Jan. 31: San Diego State, 6 p.m. Feb. 1: San Diego State, 6 p.m. 2: San Diego State (2), 1 p.m. 3: San Diego State, 1 p.m.
Feb. 8: Oral Roberts, 6 p.m. 9: Oral Roberts (2), 1 p.m. 10: Oral Roberts, 1 p.m.
Feb. 13: UCLA, 6 p.m. 14: UCLA, 2 p.m., Kona Ball Park.
Feb. 15: Pepperdine, 3 p.m., Kona Ball Park. 16: Pepperdine (2), 11 a.m., Kona Ball Park. 17: Pepperdine, 11 a.m., Kona Ball Park.
Feb. 25: Brigham Young (2), 3 p.m. 26: Brigham Young, 3 p.m.
March 8: Santa Clara, 6 p.m. 9: Santa Clara (2), 1 p.m. 10: Santa Clara, 1 p.m.
March 15: Hawaii, 6 p.m. 16: Hawaii (2), 1 p.m. 17: Hawaii, 1 p.m.
March 25-31: Rainbow Easter Tournament at Murakami Stadium
25: Hawaii Pacific, 6:35 p.m. 26: Lewis-Clark State, 2 p.m. 27: San Jose State, 10 a.m. 28: UC Riverside, 2 p.m. 30: Hawaii, 6:35 p.m. 31: Birmingham Southern, 2 p.m.
April 13: at Oregon State (2). 14: at Oregon State. 15: at Oregon State.
April 16: at Sacramento State.
April 18: at Pacific. 19: at Pacific. 20: at Pacific (2).
Note: Games at Hilo's Francis Wong Stadium, unless noted.
Hawaii Pacific
BYU-Hawaii
Chaminade
U.H. Hilo