Fifth local athlete commits to UH baseball

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

The University of Hawai'i has landed its fifth Hawai'i baseball recruit for the early signing period.

Kailua High second-team all-state selection Kamaile Santos said he will sign with the Rainbows. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound right-handed pitcher also played every position, except right field, last year. He was an O'ahu Interscholastic Association Eastern Division first-team selection at utility.

Santos said he is looking forward to playing for new coach Mike Trapasso.

"He's a good pitching coach and he's recruiting a lot of local kids," Santos said.

Earlier, Mid-Pacific all-state second baseman Isaac Omura and catcher Matt Inouye, as well as Moloka'i High pitcher Keahi Rawlins and St. Louis School pitcher Guy McDowell said they would sign with UH.

Yesterday was the first day letters of intent could be signed. The early signing period ends Wednesday.

Trapasso said yesterday he was still awaiting most of the letters, but would not announce them until all were in. He said some players will be making recruiting trips this weekend.

Like McDowell, Santos was one of the hardest-throwing pitchers at the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau tryout camp in June, clocking in at 86 mph. Santos just returned from the Arizona Baseball Academy Senior Fall Classic, where he was timed at 89 mph, he said.

Santos is among five Hawai'i players listed by Prospects Plus scouting service's state-by-state listing.

Rawlins, who is ranked 126th among the class of 2002 prep players, also is on the list. At the Arizona classic, Santos said a pro scout with the Atlanta Braves spoke with him. He added a Cleveland Indians scout telephoned him Tuesday.

Santos was 6-1 with a 3.00 earned run average last year for the Surfriders.

Another top baseball recruit, Iolani first baseman Kila Ka'aihue, signed with Nebraska yesterday.