Departing seniors have few
regrets from UH careers
Brian Bock, Justin Cayetano, Brent Cook, Chris George, Kevin Gilbride, Arthur Guillen, Julian Russell and Bryan Lee will put the Rainbow uniform on for the last time at home this weekend.
They have contributed in various ways to the program's success, whether they represented Hawaii baseball for one, two, three or four seasons. More importantly, all of these young men are on track to graduate within the next year. Gilbride will be the first in two weeks.
Bock joined the program as a freshman out of Garces Memorial High School in Bakersfield, Calif., and has appeared in 166 games since.
"I feel like I had a good career. Obviously, I wish I had played better and I wish I could play longer, but I've played a lot each year," said Bock. "I've had a great time and have no regrets."
The sociology major will be back on campus next year to finish his degree. He would love to be picked in Major League Baseball's June draft, but, if that doesn't happen, graduation becomes the top priority.
"I would just hang up my cleats, finish school and get on with the second part of my life," said Bock.
Two things stick in his mind when Bock recalls memorable moments as a Rainbow.
"One is playing in front of my family. My first college home run was at Fresno my freshman year and my parents were there. That was a special moment," said Bock. "Then there was the series I had at Fresno this year."
Lee also is a four-year player. The Mid-Pacific graduate has filled every role a pitcher can -- starter, long reliever, set-up man and closer.
"I don't have any regrets about the first couple of years," said the right-hander, who has appeared in 63 games, but just six this season. "I don't know what to say about this year, but my time here definitely has been fun, a good experience for me."
Lee did not hesitate when asked to suggest a career highlight.
"It definitely was opening day last year against Florida State. I didn't get the win, but that was the best game I pitched in my life," said Lee. "Another memorable moment was winning two out of three at Rice my sophomore year. I had the save in the third game."
The economics major will graduate this fall.
"I'll either go to graduate school or become a real person and start working. I love the ocean and would like to be involved in managing the fishing resources of the state," said Lee.
The third four-year player is Gilbride, a speech communications major who played football for a year before deciding to concentrate on baseball.
He has played in 116 games, mostly as a reserve outfielder. This is not a situation that was easy for him to accept, but he never lost his positive attitude.
"The big thing for me and the other seniors like me is to try to keep in mind that we have to do whatever we can to help the team win," said Gilbride. "We have to stay in the game mentally and always be ready, whether it is to pinch-hit or pinch-run. The one thing that was disappointing is we never made a regional."
Gilbride looks to football for his future.
"The route I'm trying to take is to be a graduate assistant. I have an offer at Duquesne, a Division I-A school, but I would like to try and start at a higher level," he said. "If I get in BYU's graduate school, I would have a job there. I also have possibilities at LSU and Michigan State."
He plans to study athletic administration in graduate school.
Guillen, who transferred from Porterville (Calif.) College for his sophomore year, elected to remain with the Rainbows for his senior year. He knew his playing time would be reduced when he was given the option of transferring after last season.
"It's hard transferring as a senior," said the left-hand-hitting outfielder who has seen action in 95 games, but only 11 this year.
"What helped me out and stopped me from getting too upset was last year was my chance to make the best of it and earn a spot for this year. (UH) Coach (Mike) Trapasso never gave up on me last year and kept me in the lineup," said Guillen, a sociology major who needs two more semesters to graduate.
"It's been a pretty good experience. I got a chance to be a part of Les Murakami's last team and then be a part of a new era. That definitely is something to be proud about. It's the first time I ever changed coaches with a team, but changing from grass to turf was a bigger challenge."
A Porterville resident, he wants to work for the California department of justice after graduation. His highlight is playing top-rated Rice 18 times in three years.
Cook is the resident iron man for the 'Bows, starting all 103 games he has played in since transferring from California. He also is the most versatile, playing all outfield positions, and second base and third base.
Trapasso once said about Cook, "as long as he is breathing, he is going to be in the lineup."
Said Cook, "I feel privileged to get the opportunity to come here. I never expected to come to Hawaii to play baseball. What better way to spend two years in college than to do it in Hawaii in a wonderful stadium with people who care about you?"
The Alamo, Calif., resident will return to the University of California for classes this summer and expects to graduate with a degree in American Studies this fall.
"After that, it's up in the air. It's scary. I've been in college for five years and I still don't know what I want to do," said Cook.
He is convinced the program in on the upswing.
"I've never seen a group of freshmen who have matured and performed like the ones we have here this year. This staff will build the program," the co-captain said.
Cook did not pick out a highlight other than to mention the UCLA series a year ago when he swung a hot bat.
"Overall, it's the time you spend with your teammates and the friendships you build. We've been fortunate to have a good bunch of guys the two years I've been here," Cook said.
George, from Santa Cruz, Calif., has started 17 of his 20 games on the mound for the 'Bows since joining the program last year from Cypress (Calif.) College. The right-hander owns a 13-12 record entering this weekend's action.
" I definitely feel this has been a positive experience for me. I've been around a great group of players and coaches. I think I've gotten a lot better as a person and a player," said George.
A sociology major, he will complete his degree requirements in one or two semesters, depending on whether he is available to attend summer school or finds himself pitching professional ball.
"The one thing that stands out, something I really enjoyed, was opening day this year against UCLA," said George. "Otherwise, my best memory would be the whole experience. Every day there is something new with this group of guys you can enjoy."
Russell also became a role player this season after starting 27 games at shortstop a year ago. He tore a ligament in his right arm playing summer ball and didn't play much during the fall.
"I've learned a lot about life and baseball and Hawaii. I wanted to play Division I baseball and I was given the chance here," said Russell.
He is majoring in English, graduates in the fall and plans to go to graduate school, hopefully at the University of San Francisco, where he would pursue a degree in sports management.
He cites last year's trip to Reno, Nev., for the Nevada series as being the highlight of his two years as a Rainbow. He was able to play in front of a large contingent of family and friends from his home, Quincy, Calif., where a lumber mill is the main source of income.
"A lot of people get caught up in the mill and never leave town, so it was good for me to get out of that town," said Russell, who transferred here from Feather River (Calif.) College. "It was tough here the first semester, but once I got used to the place and the fans, I have no regrets about my decision."
Cayetano's senior year was his only season as a Rainbow after transferring from Washington State.
"The year went by fast. It was up and down," said the left-hander from Mililani.
"It was tough to adjust going from being a starter to a reliever, but it was a good year and we still have a goal of hitting 30 wins."
His best outing was against Sacramento State in February, when he threw eight shutout innings in a 2-0 victory.
"We didn't have any shutouts last year. I was totally on that day. Whatever pitch they called, I just threw it," said Cayetano, who will graduate next spring with a sociology degree and plans to remain in the game as a coach.
Trapasso said, "We have seniors we inherited and seniors we brought in. They are all team players. I'm sure it was frustrating for some who didn't play much, but, when they got their opportunity, they were ready. That is a testament to their character and the type of people they are, and I couldn't be more proud of them. These are the kind of people I want to be around."
GameDay
Who: Louisiana Tech at Hawaii
When: Today and tomorrow, 6:35 p.m., Sunday, 1:05 p.m.
Where: Murakami Stadium
TV: All games live, KFVE, Channel 5
Radio: All games live, KKEA, 1420-AM
Tickets: $6 Orange, Blue levels. $5 Red level. $4 Seniors, children age 4-18, UH students in the Red level.
Parking: $3
Probable starting pitchers
Hawaii (26-23, 7-17)
Louisiana Tech (16-30-1, 8-16)
W-L ERA K RHP Ricky Bauer (So.) 3-4 2.84 42 RHP Chris George (Sr.) 7-6 4.94 76 RHP Keahi Rawlins (Fr.) 4-4 4.14 40
Sunday's pitcher to be announced
W-L ERA K RHP Adam Kirkendall (Sr.) 3-8 5.04 90 LHP Jon Lockwood (Jr.) 2-3 4.50 62 Notes: Hawaii and Louisiana Tech have played 10 games, with the Bulldogs holding a 6-4 edge. ... Earlier this year in Ruston, La., the Rainbows lost the first two games by 6-5 and 7-6 scores before winning the finale 4-1. ... The Hawaii Army National Guard is sponsoring Military Appreciation Night tonight. All military personnel, with a valid military ID, will be able to purchase a ticket for $1. ... Sunday, the UH Federal Credit Union will pass out 1,000 team photos prior to the game. ... Brent Cook and Brian Finegan are the only Rainbows to start all 49 games this season. ... Cook leads the WAC with four triples and Finegan is second with 16 doubles.
