Nogawa heats up after cold start
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Considering where his collegiate career started, senior second baseman Lane Nogawa has been warmly received this baseball season for the University of Hawai'i.
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Upon graduating from Mid-Pacific Institute in 1997, Nogawa wanted to continue playing ball in college. Factoring in academics, only Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., was a taker. He was offered a chance to walk on, then redshirted during a memorable freshman year.
Called the team's "most consistent" player by his coach, Lane Nogawa plays steady defense and is currently batting .308.
"It was too cold," Nogawa recalled. "We were practicing in 30 degrees with snow on the field."
So he returned home and walked on at UH, where he has been a fixture in the infield since.
"He's probably our most consistent guy in practice and in games," UH coach Mike Trapasso said.
Among Rainbows with at least 22 plate appearances, Nogawa is second on the team with a .308 batting average. He started five of the first six games batting in the ninth spot. But when Trapasso felt a need to give the top of the order a boost, Nogawa was moved to leadoff for last Sunday's game against Sacramento State. He batted 1 for 5 with a stolen base, giving him four steals in as many tries.
Trapasso said Nogawa is not likely to lead off again, but probably won't go back to batting ninth either.
"He's pretty much important to us where ever he's hitting in the lineup," Trapasso said.
A nice compliment for someone who has always had to prove he could start. It seemed that every year, Nogawa was pegged for utility work because of his versatility (he's played third base and shortstop, as well as second, the past three seasons). But when someone got injured or fell into a slump, Nogawa was available, providing steady offense and defense.
"You just have to be prepared," Nogawa said. "When you get your chance, you do your best, have fun."
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Nogawa will graduate with a degree in accounting in December. But before joining the work force, he still has some unfinished business.
Hawai'i vs. UCLA
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WHEN:
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WHERE: Les Murakami Stadium.
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TICKETS: $6 blue and orange, $5 adult red, $4 senior citizen red, UH students red and students (4-18) red.
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PARKING: $3.
"I want to go to a regional, at least, win the WAC," he said. "It's my last year. You have to try to do everything you can to win."
The Rainbows open a three-game series — tomorrow through Sunday — against UCLA. Bryan Lee (1-0, 2.30 ERA) will pitch tomorrow's opener, left-hander Aaron Pribble (1-0, 2.70) is set for Saturday and Ricky Bauer (0-2, 7.27) will start Sunday.
The Bruins, picked to finish eighth in the nine-team Pac-10 by the coaches, will start right-hander Chris Cordeiro (1-0, 1.54) tomorrow, left-hander Mike Kunes (2-0, 2.25) Saturday and right-hander Casey Janssen (2-0, 1.64) Sunday.
The Bruins are led by all-Pac-10 center fielder Ben Francisco, who was batting .406 with two home runs and nine RBIs before last night's game against UH-Hilo. Francisco bats leadoff for the Bruins and has stolen four bases in as many attempts.
Notes: The leadoff spot on the Rainbows is batting a collective .207. Trapasso said he is considering designated hitter Danny Mocny in that spot. In 10 plate appearances, Mocny is batting .500 (4 for 8) and has yet to strike out. ... Cortland Wilson has the highest on-base percentage (.429) and has reached base 57 percent of the time he leads off an inning. Wilson and Brent Cook are the only UH batters who average more than four pitches seen per plate appearance. "He does have some walks," Trapasso said. "That's definitely a possibility (of Wilson leading off). But right now, we'll stick with him (batting fifth). Not that he wouldn't do a good job in the leadoff spot, but I like him in the five hole. You have to remember the leadoff spot, a lot of games, only leads off one time."
Like other coaches, Trapasso brings guest speakers from various fields to talk to his players. Yesterday, Adm. Thomas Fargo, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, spoke to the players before practice, Trapasso said. Former Negro Leagues all-star shortstop Artie Wilson spoke to the players earlier. Wilson threw out the ceremonial first pitch Jan. 31. The father of former UH basketball star and current TV analyst Artie Wilson was here visiting family.
