Hawaii's new players finally get to hit the field
POSTED: Saturday, February 13, 2010
Today's alumni baseball game gives Hawaii freshman Piikea Kitamura a sense of excitement and relief.
Exciting is the prospect of putting on a UH jersey for the first time to play in front of family and friends.
As for the relief part, that comes from ending a nearly yearlong journey that began with his commitment to the 'Bows, and is culminating in living out a childhood dream.
“;From the time I committed here to fall practices and spring practices, this is what I've been working to,”; Kitamura said. “;Our days are grinds; we start at 6:30 in the morning and sometimes it ends at 8:30 at night, all working to get to this point and hopefully to get to play.
UH BASEBALL ALUMNI GAME
When: Today 1 p.m. Where: Les Murakami Stadium
TV & radio: None
Alumni roster
Paul Ah Yat, Jared Alexander, Matt Apana, Ryan Asato, Clary Carlsen, Vinnie Catricala, Eli Christensen, Ben Flores, Justin Frash, Trey Garman, Brandon Haislet, Kenny Harrison, Jon Hee, Matt Inouye, Jayson Kramer, Guy Ogawa, Steve Otani, Chris Walz, Curt Watanabe, Robbie Wilder, Kent Yamase, Sean Yamashita, Franz Yuen, Evan Zimny
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“;I was one of those kids who came to games and knew the names of all the local boys. Being here is just kind of surreal right now.”;
Kitamura is part of a talent-rich freshman class from Hawaii that includes outfielders Kalani Brackenridge (Kapolei) and Breland Almadova ('Iolani) and Kauai graduate Trent Allianic.
For juniors and seniors, the alumni game is a chance to work out the kinks and match up against former teammates. For the newcomers, especially the freshmen, it's the first time to simulate game-day preparations and get a feel for what the next three-plus months will be like.
“;First time stepping on the field as a Rainbow, it's a lot of excitement and a lot of nerves,”; Almadova said. “;Ever since starting in August fall ball I've been looking at the calendar waiting as it got closer and closer and you know, it's finally here.”;
Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso will put together two different lineups for today's game that begins at 1 p.m. at Les Murakami Stadium and expects nearly every position player to play.
Senior Nate Klein (3-4, 5.10 ERA last year) will start and will be limited to 90 pitches or less. Sophomore Lenny Linsky will pitch an inning and Trapasso said sophomore Connor Little and junior Zach Gallagher could also see the mound.
Highlighting the alumni team are recent UH stars Vinnie Catricala, Brandon Haislet and Jon Hee as well as Kenny Harrison, Trey Garman and Franz Yuen, to name a few.
