Sagara signs with Jackson
to revive pitching career

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Former UH-Hilo pitcher Brendan Sagara is continuing his baseball career on the mound.

Sagara, who spent the last two seasons as a pitching coach for the independent Dubois County Dragons, signed a contract and has been invited to spring training for the Jackson Senators of the independent Central League.

"I got offers from a few teams," Sagara said. "It is a step up from where I was before, I thought maybe I would go out there and see what happens."

When he wasn't teaching pitching, Sagara spent last year throwing batting practice. His manager, Greg Tagert, noticed and encouraged him to get back on the hill, going so far as giving a few friends in the business Sagara's name and a glowing recommendation.

Sagara is getting back onto the field as much for the experience as the competition. He wants to become a writer, and sees this as a natural part of that process. Sagara wrote a diary of his days as a pitching coach for the Star-Bulletin last summer.

"Physically I am still capable," Sagara said. "It is mostly for the life experience, if I am going to be a writer I will need all that I can get. Plus it's in the South and I've never been down there. If it doesn't work out it will still be a great experience."

Tagert told Sagara that he will always have room on his staff, even in the middle of the season.

Sagara will be making the trip to Jackson along with Dominick Lombardi, who caught for the Dragons last year and was accomplished enough that Sagara trusted him to call pitches for his staff. He figures the fiery catcher can do the same for him.

Seasiders warm up with rout of 'Swords

The top-ranked Brigham Young-Hawaii women's tennis team started its season in style, routing Chaminade 9-0 yesterday in Laie.

The defending national champions lost just three games in the first five singles matches.

Top-ranked Adrienn Hegedus barely broke a sweat in a 6-0, 6-0 win over Alohalani Castro. Judy Weng and Jing Sun also posted 6-0, 6-0 victories.

Hegedus and Weng teamed to stop Castro and Chikazawa 8-2 in doubles.

The Seasiders meet No. 16 Hawaii Pacific on Feb. 18 in Kailua.

BYUH men also win: The Seasiders men's team also blanked the Silverswords 9-0.

Jan Krejci won easily in singles and paired with Peter Madarassy for an 8-0 doubles win.

No BYUH player lost more than three games in winning all five singles matches.

UH's win streak stopped: The Hawaii men's three-game winning streak was snapped at Santa Clara, 5-2.

The Warriors lost four singles matches and all three doubles matches.

Reginaldo Moralejo beat Taylor Bedilion 6-4, 6-7 (4), (11-9) to improve to 6-1 this season. Ryan Sceats also won his singles contest.

Division II

Hawaii-Hilo 81, Western New Mexico 59: At Silver City, N.M., Osadonor Esene scored 17 points to lead a balanced attack as the Vulcans routed the Mustangs in a Pacific West Conference game.

Ryan Abrahams added 15 for Hilo (13-6, 5-3), which shot 50 percent from the field and outrebounded WNMU (3-15, 1-7) 51-34. The Vulcans, who led 43-19 at halftime, also hit 17 of 22 free throws and grabbed 11 steals.

Matt Enriquez had 16 points for the Mustangs, who shot just 28 percent (20-for-70) from the field.