Kamehameha’s Freitas
will play for Miami

Kamehameha senior Nick Freitas will sign a scholarship offer from the University of Miami, the right fielder said yesterday.

"I've known for a while now," said Freitas.

A compact 6-foot-1, Freitas is one of the anchors in coach Vern Ramie's lineup. He bats third in the order for Kamehameha (22-4, 6-1 Interscholastic League of Honolulu), which is ranked second in the Star-Bulletin Baseball Top 10.

The two-time Star-Bulletin All-State selection turned down offers from 15 schools, including 10 Division I universities. He said USC was a close second on his final list and Pepperdine was third.

Freitas said he was not offered a scholarship by Hawaii.

In ILH play, Freitas is 7-for-11 at the plate with two homers, a double and seven RBIs. He walked three times in a recent win over Saint Louis.

The interest from Miami reached a crescendo after Freitas went to a baseball camp there during winter break. The Hurricanes liked his glove, power and speed. Freitas ran a 60-yard dash in 6.65 seconds, fastest of all players at the camp.

The interest was mutual.

"Their coaches are awesome. When we did outfield drills, we didn't touch a single ball until the second day," he said of stationary baseballs placed across the field.

The attention to detail and technique in every aspect of fielding blew him away.

"There are so many different steps they take toward perfection," Freitas said.

At Miami, Freitas believes he will get a good opportunity to start. One outfielder is a senior, while another will likely go pro.

Freitas said UH got to see him up close during an October camp. A week later, the Rainbows sent a letter informing him that he was not a viable recruit in their eyes.

"They rated me a Division II or JC player," Freitas said.

Several top prospects, including teammate David Parrow and Saint Louis seniors Chester Wilson and Kelii Zablan, were at the camp.

"Kelii called me up and told me they scored him with a pro rating. I was all bummed," he said.

College coaches are not allowed to comment on potential recruits.

Another Western Athletic Conference school, Fresno State, was among the schools that offered Freitas a scholarship.