Ex-Searider sees teammate as asset

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

With a preseason All-America shortstop already in place, it would have been easy for middle infielder Kaulana Kuhaulua to bypass Long Beach State.

But instead of seeing teammate Bobby Crosby as a threat, he viewed him as an asset.

"He's a perfect match for me," Kuhaulua said in a telephone interview from Long Beach, Calif. "I've learned from him, he's learned from me. We both help each other out."

With Crosby locked in at shortstop, Kuhaulua was placed at second base. Together, they have given the Dirtbags, the 49ers' unofficial nickname for the baseball team, a strong presence up the middle.

Kuhaulua, a junior, played two seasons at Los Angeles City College after graduating from Wai'anae High in 1998. Kuhaulua said his option after junior college was between the Dirtbags and Loyola Marymount.

But two things swayed him toward Long Beach. First, he felt the Dirtbags (21-11), ranked 30th by Collegiate Baseball this week, had a better chance at reaching the College World Series. Second, with someone of Crosby's profile as a teammate, scouts were surely to be close by.

"I knew there were going to be a lot of scouts at practices and games," Kuhaulua said. "That kind of pumps me up."

Crosby, a junior and two-time All-Big West selection, is projected at No.15 in Baseball America's top 25 prospects for the June draft. Kuhaulua was drafted in the 39th round by the Detroit Tigers in 1999 and in the 17th round by the St. Louis Cardinals last year. College juniors are eligible for the draft, which occurs each June.

"This year, for sure I'm signing," he said. "Well, probably 99 percent sure. If you're a senior, you don't get as much money. But I'm prepared. I went to college so I could play pro baseball. Now I have to go to the next level to prove myself."

If he does reach the majors, Kuhaulua will have followed his father's footsteps. Fred Kuhaulua pitched for the California Angels (1977) and San Diego Padres (1981).

Kuhaulua said that while he misses Hawai'i, he knew he had to leave if he wanted a pro career. He has grown — from 5-feet-11 and 150 pounds to 6-feet and 175 pounds — and matured.

"I wanted to get away and experience what it would be like on my own," he said. "To be a pro, you have to leave the Islands. Going away to college for two years, I know I can live away from the Island."

After a hot start, Kuhaulua has since cooled to a .255 batting average.

He says the slump might have to do with his swinging mechanics or that he might be wearing down.

"The season's been taking a toll on my body," Kuhaulua said. "I've been hurting every day."

HAWAI'I-MANOA

• Texas express: The Rainbows are looking for their first road win of the season in the heart of the Western Athletic Conference: Texas.

Hawai'i opens a three-game series with Texas Christian starting Saturday then move on to Rice. The Owls and Horned Frogs are first and second in the conference, respectively.

Despite getting pounded, 13-3, by Fresno State on Monday night, the Rainbows aren't discouraged.

"We feel we can come back after a big loss," third baseman Patrick Scalabrini said. "That's what I like about this team. We've always been able to come back even after a big loss."

Jeff Coleman, Wakon Childers and Sean Yamashita will remain in the starting pitching rotation for the Rainbows.

UH-HILO

• Back to WAC: After losing three of four in a non-conference series with Washington, the Vulcans return to WAC play in a three-game series with Fresno State starting tomorrow.

HAWAI'I PACIFIC

• California dreaming: The Sea Warriors continue their West Coast road trip with a single game today at Cal State-Chico.

They also have games tomorrow and Friday at Sonoma State before closing out the trip at San Jose State.

UPDATE

• Signed: Catcher Buster Small (Punahou '96), released by Toronto in spring training, was signed by Cleveland's farm system.