Wednesday, January 30, 2002
McQuade pumped Tony McQuade was more psychologically prepared for the rain in Hawaii than were his Florida State baseball teammates.
to play Rainbows
The part-Hawaiian outfielder
Today it's Murakami Stadium
is here with Florida State
for a 4-game series vs. UH
2002 Rainbow scheduleBy Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.comUnlike most other first-time visitors to the Islands, McQuade knew the sun doesn't always shine down on paradise.
His mother, Lani, is from the Punchbowl area and had briefed the sophomore left fielder on everything from the weather to the cuisine. He said he's looking forward to sampling plate lunches and poi and visiting Pearl Harbor and the North Shore.
"I didn't expect the rain, but the scenery is amazing," said McQuade, who is one-quarter Hawaiian. "I've been looking forward to this trip since I was being recruited. My mom has been telling me more about Hawaii as the trip got closer."
McQuade is from Gainesville, Fla., where he was a USA Today honorable mention All-American, and he graduated from Buchholz High School in 2000.
As a freshman last year, he batted only 27 times, playing behind John-Ford Griffin, who is now in the Yankees' system.
"It was difficult to get my rhythm," said McQuade, who had seven hits last year, including five doubles. "It was tough, but this season will be a lot different."
That's because the 6-foot-1, 195-pound switch-hitter will play regularly, unless he goes into a prolonged slump. He already has four hits in 12 at-bats in the Seminoles' first three games, all victories against Hawaii-Hilo. They were rained out yesterday against Hawaii Pacific.
"Tony is our starting left fielder until someone beats him out," FSU coach Mike Martin said. "I told Tony that he's made himself into a pretty good outfielder, and that left field will be his job until someone runs him out. He's gotten a lot stronger and his speed has improved. We just want him to be more aggressive at the plate."
McQuade agrees that he needs to learn to attack the ball more often.
"I'm a very patient hitter," he said. "Sometimes too patient."
McQuade is excited about being an important part of the lineup for No. 2 Florida State. He also said he's glad to be playing against Hawaii this week in a historic series for the Rainbows, beginning tonight. Former Georgia Tech assistant Mike Trapasso begins his head coaching career for UH, and Rainbow Stadium officially becomes Murakami Stadium.
"I was watching the news the other night and the (UH) players were getting ready for the alumni game. To see the field on TV and how excited they were getting got me excited as well," McQuade said. "Hilo wasn't the best team in the world, but we're expecting a better series from Hawaii."
He wasn't recruited by UH. Might McQuade have become a Rainbow if he had been?
"I would have considered it," he said. "It's my heritage."
When: Today, tomorrow and Friday, 6:35 p.m.; Saturday, 12:05 p.m. Gameday
Where: Murakami Stadium
TV: Today, Friday and Saturday live, KFVE, Channel 5
Radio: All games live, KCCN, 1420-AM
Internet: kccn1420am.com
Tickets: $6 Orange, Blue levels. $5 Red level. $4 Seniors, children ages 4-18, UH students in the red level.
Parking: $3
HAWAII (0-0) Probable starting pitchers
The Rainbows will start junior right-hander Bryan Lee today, freshman right-hander Ricky Bauer tomorrow and senior left-hander Ryan Yamamoto Friday. Saturday's starting pitcher will be announced later.
FLORIDA state (3-0)
The Seminoles will start sophomore left-hander Trent Peterson today, senior right-hander Blair Varnes tomorrow and junior left-hander Matt Lynch Friday. Saturday's starting pitcher will be announced later.
Notes: The Rainbows and Seminoles have played 11 games, with FSU holding a 6-5 edge. ... In the last series in 1998, the Seminoles won the first two games by scores of 7-2 and 11-2 with the 'Bows taking the final two games, 9-6 and 8-2. ... FSU coach Mike Martin began the season with a 1,179-402-3 career record. The Seminoles have been to the NCAA Tournament all 22 years he has been head coach and have reached the College World Series six of the last nine seasons.
The baseball facility on the University of Hawaii campus will officially be renamed Les Murakami Stadium with dedication ceremonies starting at 5:55 p.m. today. Murakami the
man of the hourBy Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.comMurakami was the Rainbows head baseball coach from 1970 through 2001. He took a program with almost no resources that played in a local league and built it into a nationally recognized power.
To accomplish that, an on-campus stadium was a must. The original Rainbow Stadium opened in 1975 with aluminum bleachers and no roof to protect fans from the showers that roll out of Manoa Valley. It wasn't long before there weren't enough seats to accommodate fan interest.
The present structure opened in 1984 with 4,312 seats, 3,738 under cover, and more than 2.3 million fans have attended games since then.
Murakami guided the Rainbows to six Western Athletic Conference championships, 11 NCAA Tournament regional appearances and a second-place finish in the 1980 College World Series. The Rainbows won 1,079 games during his tenure.
He was Hawaii Sportsman of the Year in 1977 and 1980, was recipient of the Lefty Gomez Award in 1981 for his contributions to amateur baseball, twice was named WAC Coach of the Year and was inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2000.
Last year. Murakami received the Willard Wilson Award for Distinguished Service to the University of Hawaii.
University president Evan Dobelle, Allan Ikawa, chair of the UH Board of Regents, UH athletic director Hugh Yoshida and coach Murakami will make brief remarks prior to the blessing and untying of the maile lei.
Dobelle will throw out the first pitch as the Rainbows open their season against No. 2 Florida State.
Today: Florida State, 6:35 p.m. Tomorrow: Florida State, 6:35 p.m. Friday: Florida State, 6:35 p.m. Saturday: Florida State, 12:05 p.m. 2002 Rainbow schedule
Feb. 8: Sacramento State, 6:35 p.m. 9: Sacramento State, 6:35 p.m. 10: Sacramento State, 1:05 p.m.
Feb. 15: UCLA, 6:35 p.m. 16: UCLA, 12:05 p.m. 17: UCLA, 1:05 p.m.
Feb. 21: Brigham Young, 6:35 p.m. 22: Brigham Young, 6:35 p.m. 23: Brigham Young, 12:05 p.m.
March 1: UC Irvine, 6:35 p.m. 2: UC Irvine, 6:35 p.m. 3: UC Irvine, 1:05 p.m.
March 8: *Rice, 6:35 p.m. 9: *Rice, 6:35 p.m. 10: *Rice, 1:05 p.m.
March 12: Matsusaka, Japan (exhibition), 6:35 p.m.
March 15: at Hawaii-Hilo, 6 p.m. 16: at Hawaii-Hilo, 1 p.m. 17: at Hawaii-Hilo (2), 1 p.m.
March 22: *San Jose State, 6:35 p.m. 23: *San Jose State, 6:35 p.m. 24: *San Jose State, 1:05 p.m.
March 25-31: Outrigger Hotels & Resorts Rainbow Easter Tournament
March 25: Lewis-Clark State vs. Birmingham Southern, 10 a.m.; San Jose State vs. UC Riverside, 2 p.m.; Hawaii-Hilo vs. Hawaii Pacific, 6:35 p.m.
March 26: San Jose State vs. Hawaii Pacific, 10 a.m.; Hawaii-Hilo vs. Lewis-Clark State, 2 p.m.; Hawaii vs. Birmingham Southern, 6:36 p.m.
March 27: Hawaii-Hilo vs. San Jose State, 10 a.m.; Lewis-Clark State vs. Hawaii Pacific, 2 p.m.; Hawaii vs. UC Riverside, 6:35 p.m.
March 28: Hawaii Pacific vs. Birmingham Southern, 10 a.m.; UC Riverside vs. Hawaii-Hilo, 2 p.m.; Hawaii vs. San Jose State, 6:35 p.m.
March 29: UC Riverside vs. Lewis-Clark State, 10 a.m.; Birmingham Southern vs. San Jose State, 2 p.m.; Hawaii vs. Hawaii Pacific, 6:35 p.m.
March 30: Lewis-Clark State vs. San Jose State, 10 a.m.; Birmingham Southern vs. UC Riverside, 2 p.m.; Hawaii vs. Hawaii-Hilo, 6:35 p.m.
March 31: UC Riverside vs. Hawaii Pacific, 10 a.m., Hawaii-Hilo vs. Birmingham Southern, 2 p.m.; Hawaii vs. Lewis-Clark State, 6:35 p.m.
April 4: *Nevada, 6:35 p.m. 5: *Nevada, 6:35 p.m. 6: *Nevada, 1:05 p.m.
April 13: at *Louisiana Tech, 1 p.m. 14: at *Louisiana Tech, 1 p.m. 15: at *Louisiana Tech, 6:30 p.m.
April 18: at *Rice, 7 p.m. 19: at *Rice, 7 p.m. 20: at *Rice, 2 p.m.
April 26: *Fresno State, 6:35 p.m. 27: *Fresno State, 6:35 p.m. 28: *Fresno State, 1:05 p.m.
May 3: at *San Jose State, 7 p.m. 4: at *San Jose State, 1 p.m. 5: at *San Jose State, 1 p.m.
May 9: Louisiana Tech*, 6:35 p.m. 10: Louisiana Tech*, 6:35 p.m. 11: Louisiana Tech*, 6:35 p.m.
May 18: at *Nevada, 1 p.m. 19: at *Nevada, 1 p.m. 20: at *Nevada, 2 p.m.
May 24: at *Fresno State, 7:05 p.m. 25: at *Fresno State, 7:05 p.m. 26: at *Fresno State, 7:05 p.m.
May 31-June 2: NCAA Regionals.
June 7-9: NCAA Super Regionals.
June 14-22: College World Series.
* -- Western Athletic Conference game.
All times local to site.
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