5-foot-3 freshman Fukuroku a big hit
By Dennis Anderson
Advertiser Staff Writer
Freshman infielder Royce Fukuroku tied a University of San Francisco record with six hits in one game. And the game isn't over yet.
Fukuroku, a 2001 Maui High graduate, hit 6-for-7, including a home run, and drove in seven runs as USF took a 25-21 lead over Loyola Marymount heading into the bottom of the 10th inning March 24.
But the game was called because of darkness and is to be completed on May 10. If Loyola rallies to tie, Fukuroku will likely come to bat again.
Fukuroku has started mostly at third base, but also at second base, left field, center field and right field. At .323 (32-for-99), with 24 RBIs in 37 games, he is hitting higher than his height and weight combined (5 feet 3 and 142 pounds).
USF news releases call him the "Hawaiian Superman."
Fukuroku launched another dramatic home run against No. 23 Oklahoma State, his third homer of the season. He had struck out only eight times in 115 total at bats through last weekend.
Ironically, Fukuroku was recruited by former USF assistant Chad Konishi (Punahou '89), who left late last spring to join the staff at Hawai'i.
There have been three true freshmen from Hawai'i in USF's starting lineup in some games. In addition to Fukuroku, Cy Donald (Mililani) has started 26 games at third base, second base or shortstop and is batting .314 (33-for-105). Travis McGaughy (Iolani) has started only three games at DH or in right field, but he has hit .385 (5-for-13) and "made a name for himself," USF spokesman Ryan McCrary said.
Two other Hawai'i players, true freshman Blaine Umeda (Iolani) and junior Greg Kagawa (Waiakea '99) are hitting under .200 and seeing limited action.
Troy Nakamura (Iolani '94, USF '98) is the Dons' No. 2 assistant coach. He is in charge of the team's speed, power and agility training and the upkeep of beautiful Benedetti Diamond on campus..
USF is struggling with a 10-30 record.
ELSEWHERE
• Cal State Fullerton
There was no hotter hitter for the 15th-ranked Titans last month than true freshman catcher Kurt Suzuki of Baldwin High.
Suzuki started 10 straight games and was batting a team-best .429 (18-for-42). In his first start, on March 2, he hit 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs against Miami.
He went on for six straight games with two or more hits, against teams such as Southern California and Wichita State.
The hitting was a bonus, team spokesman Ryan Ermeling said; Suzuki was starting for his defense (95 chances, no errors).
In the eighth inning against Long Beach State on March 23, Suzuki started the winning rally with a perfect bunt. But when he reached third base, he had to ask for a pinch runner because of terrific pain in his back. He hasn't played since.
Suzuki may have hurt himself diving for a foul pop-up bunt earlier in the game.
Last week, Fullerton trainers discovered that his injury was not in his lower back as thought, but his hip was out of alignment, sending pain to his back. His hip was popped back into alignment and Suzuki was able to run after that. "He's on a faster track to recovery now. Maybe this week he might gradually get back on the field," Ermeling said.
• U. of Pacific (Calif.)
Nicholas Sekiya (Punahou '00) of Manoa hung out around the UOP baseball field a lot last year, but didn't try out for the team. This season he did, and has started 15 games in left field.
He is hitting .280 (14-for-50) and is developing a reputation for coming through in the clutch. On April 7, Sekiya tripled and scored the winning run in the 11th inning against Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, and has hit two home runs.
Pacific plays three games against UH-Hilo this weekend.
• Brigham Young
Junior center fielder Doug Jackson (Iolani '99) of Kailua will always remember the sixth inning last Thursday at New Mexico.
BYU was behind 8-1 when Jackson led off with a double. He came up again in the inning and belted a grand slam to right field, giving the Cougars their first lead,10-8. BYU scored 10 runs in the inning and won 13-10.
