Omori's return worth wait for baseball 'Bows

By Stacey Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Last season, all University of Hawai'i infielder Gregg Omori could do was watch. Hard for someone who likes to swing away.

Designated hitter Gregg Omori is batting .318 in his first season with the University of Hawaiëi baseball team. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

"I was looking forward to this for a long time," said Omori, who has a .318 batting average.

While sitting out, Omori concentrated on weight training. Friends threw batting practice for him. He kept his batting eye sharp by playing in a summer open league.

"That helped a little bit, just seeing any type of live pitching," he said.

What Omori's transfer also did was set up a little high school reunion of sorts with third baseman Danny Kimura and relief pitcher Ryan Yamamoto, also 1997 'Iolani graduates. They were members of two state championship teams. The 1997 team, which was nationally ranked, is regarded as one of Hawai'i's best prep teams ever.

"When I was in high school, I never thought we would end up on the same team in college," Omori said. "But I'm glad the way it turned out. It's like high school all over again." Despite an all-state senior season, Omori's offers came from the West Coast. Loyola Marymount, San Diego and Portland were interested, but USF made the best offer.

Omori said UH made some contact, but assumed his intention was to leave Hawai'i for college. "There was a miscommunication, so that's why they really didn't try to recruit a lot of us from private schools," Omori said.

But the Bay Area lifestyle was too fast and the weather was depressing for Omori. Yamamoto left first, then Omori. Later, they would learn that Kimura also was headed for UH after one season at Nebraska, where he also earned freshman All-America honors.

Omori, a junior, is eligible for the draft and like most players, dreams of playing pro ball. He said he has received some letters from teams.

If he does get drafted, he would be the second from his 'Iolani class to get picked. Last summer, Keoni DeRenne, The Advertiser's Player of the Year in 1997, signed with the Atlanta Braves, who drafted him in the 12th round. He is at double-A Greenville (S.C.).

Omori said he draws inspiration from DeRenne, who is listed as 5 feet 7.

"He worked real hard, just blew our minds (with his work ethic)," the 6-foot Omori said. "We're happy to hear he got this far."

HAWAI'I-MANOA

• Eager Beavers: The Rainbows open a non-conference three-game series against Oregon State (26-16), which is in third place in the Pac-10 at 8-7. The Beavers have a five-game winning streak after beating Portland, 10-9, yesterday.

Hawai'i (20-23) will stay with its starting rotation of Jeff Coleman on Friday and Sean Yamashita on Saturday, both 6:35 p.m. starts, and Chad Giannetti on Sunday at 2:05 p.m.

Wakon Childers, who had worked his way into the rotation after undergoing elbow surgery two seasons ago, experienced pain again during a series at Texas Christian two weekends ago. UH acting coach Carl Furutani said Childers in undergoing more rehabilitation as a precaution.

"It's nothing serious," Furutani said. "Rest is what he needed, and some therapy." Furutani said Childers might pitch in relief this series and could return to the rotation later.

Giannetti replaced Childers and beat nationally ranked Rice on Saturday. He gave up three runs and two hits in eight innings in a 7-3 win.

With pitching apparently settled, the Rainbows' focus is on defense. Cortland Wilson, who is batting .333, continues his struggles on defense. He started the year at shortstop and has moved to the outfield, where he still is having problems.

Wilson's playing time largely depends on Gregg Omori's availability at second base. Tendinitis in his elbow affects Omori's throwing and relegates him to DH.

"We want to put our best defense out there," Furutani said.

HAWAI'I-HILO

• Road trip: Eight games in eight days. That's what is in store for the Vulcans on their California road swing starting this weekend.

The Vulcans open a three-game series at Fresno State that runs Saturday through Monday. After a day off, they will play a five-game series at San Jose State starting May 2. Games May 2 and 3 are make-up games that were rained out in Hilo last month. The Vulcans will be the home team for those games. Four of the five games will be at Municipal Stadium, except for May 2. That game will be played at Blethen Field on the SJSU campus.

"It's going to be a challenge to say the least," Vulcans coach Joey Estrella said.