Ball will be in George's hands Saturday, right from the start

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

After three single-inning performances, all out of the bullpen, pitcher Chris George will finally get to do what his coach says he does best: start.

	Hawai'i vs. BYU
•	WHEN: 6:35 p.m. tomorrow and Friday, 12:05 p.m. Saturday
•	WHERE: Les Murakami Stadium
•	TICKETS: $6 blue and orange; $5 red adult; $4 red ages 4-18, 65-older and UH students with IDs.
•	PARKING: $3

The three-game series with the Mountain West Conference favorite starts tomorrow at Les Murakami Stadium.

"Been trying to get my arm in shape the past couple of weeks," said George, a 6-2, 190-pound right-hander. "It was kind of frustrating, wanting to go out there and pitch. But I think I'm ready to go out there."

Hawai'i coach Mike Trapasso had spoken highly of George since the fall. But George did not enroll at UH until Jan. 28, the last day for late enrollment, because he had to complete his associate's degree, a requirement for junior college transfers entering UH.

"I think Chris can be more comfortable when he's in a starting mode, rather than coming out of the bullpen," Trapasso said.

George stayed in shape working out with a friend, a catcher for the independent pro team, St. Paul Saints, during the fall.

"It's hard to get in shape just throwing (in bullpens)," he said. "You gotta get out there and stretch it out."

After two seasons at Cypress College, George was recruited by Pepperdine, Loyola Marymount, St. Mary's, San Francisco, Long Beach State and Kansas. He signed with Kansas.

But then he met UH players Chad Boudon and Aaron Pribble, as well as future teammate Brent Cook, during the summer playing for the San Francisco Seals in the California Coastal Collegiate League. He liked what they told him of UH. Later, UH pitching coach Chad Konishi went to scout him. George told Kansas coach Bobby Randall of his change of heart and got his release.

"I give him a lot of credit for doing that for me," George said.

Because he hasn't started a game since August, George will be on a pitch count between 70-90. George said his best fastball reached 92 mph during the summer. His best pitches are a slider and changeup.

"When he has fastball command, he's not overthrowing, not getting himself in trouble by being behind in the count," Trapasso said. "Everything still centers around fastball command and being able to locate your fastball."

George (0-0, 9.00) will fill freshman right-hander Ricky Bauer's spot in the rotation. Trapasso said he hasn't given up on Bauer (0-2, 8.74), who has made three starts.

"It's an opportunity for him to take a breath a little bit and maybe (we will) be able to use him in situations where we think he can succeed. I don't want him to lose confidence in his ability. I still feel the same way I felt about him since day one."

Bryan Lee (2-0, 2.28) and Pribble (1-0, 2.21) will start tomorrow's and Friday's game, respectively, for the Rainbows.

The Cougars (3-10) will start left-hander Jeff Stone (0-2, 8.57) tomorrow, and right-handers Ryan Adams (0-2, 5.59) and Scott Koffman (1-2, 6.75) Friday and Saturday, respectively.

The Cougars are led by junior right fielder Matt Carson (.438, 2 HRs, 13 RBIs), considered a pro prospect.

The Cougars also have two 1999 Iolani School graduates in center fielder Doug Jackson and third baseman Kainoa Obrey.

For Obrey, the UH series is likely to be his final for the season. A herniated disk he suffered in the fall is hampering his play (.231, 1 HR, 8 RBIs). Obrey, who has started eight of the team's 13 games, said he will apply for a medical redshirt. If he plays all three games against UH, he still will have played less than 20 percent of his team's games, a requirement for players applying for a medical redshirt.

"I was real excited (about this season), but kind of bummed now," Obrey said in a telephone interview. "Right now, I have to rest it. A worst-case scenario would be surgery, but it should heal on its own."

Meanwhile, Jackson is off to a strong start (.291, 5 steals) as the leadoff batter.

"I'm pretty pumped up to play in front of my family at home," said Jackson.