Jackson quits baseball team to focus on football
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Giving new meaning to hit-and-run, outfielder Nate Jackson has left the Hawai'i baseball team to concentrate on football.
Jackson, who played two seasons of baseball, originally didn't plan on playing the sport after completing his eligibility in football. He did not join the baseball team in workouts during the fall and spring. But he showed up several weeks ago for practice and was cleared to play in the four-game series at UH-Hilo last weekend.
Jackson started in three games against UHH, batting 3-for-12. He batted leadoff in both games of Sunday's doubleheader.
Rainbows coach Mike Trapasso said Jackson, listed as 5 feet 10 and 170 pounds during football season, lost six pounds during the series. He said Jackson was concerned about losing weight because he has hopes of being selected in the NFL draft next month or signing as a free agent.
"I lost six pounds in one weekend," Jackson said. "I had to think twice about it."
Jackson said he could not explain his weight loss, but said he decided to play baseball again "to stay active." He said he would give baseball a try again if pro football doesn't work out. Trapasso said he would welcome back Jackson.
"He is going to be a good baseball player," Trapasso said. "I'd like to see him next year. He's a great kid."
Jackson missed most of last season because of a foot injury suffered during football season. In 17 games, he batted .313, stealing seven bases in 11 tries.
Jackson has been popular among teammates and fans because of his hard play, such as crashing into outfield walls to make a catch or colliding with catchers at home plate.
Meanwhile, Trapasso has adjusted the starting rotation for this weekend's Western Athletic Conference series against San Jose State. The Rainbows are trying to snap a seven-game losing streak that included a history-making four-game series sweep by the Vulcans.
Chris George (0-2, 7.77 ERA) will pitch Friday's opener. His previous four starts were as the second- and third-day pitcher. He had a season-high 12 strikeouts in Saturday's 6-4 loss to UHH. He gave up six runs in six innings.
Making his first career start — at least one that will count in statistics — is William Quaglieri (2-2, 3.60). His only previous start was in an exhibition against Kita-Kyushu last season. Primarily a long reliever this season, Quaglieri will start Saturday's second game.
As Trapasso said after the UHH series, freshman Jason Piepmeier (0-1, 5.59) will start Sunday. Piepmeier was the most effective starter against the Vulcans, allowing a run on three hits and five walks in 6¡ innings. It will be his first start since Feb. 2, when he was replaced after giving up five runs in one-third of an inning against Florida State.
Bryan Lee (2-1, 5.23), the only pitcher to start in every series for UH, will try to regain his early-season form out of the bullpen.
Aaron Pribble (2-2, 4.23) and Ricky Bauer (0-3, 8.74), who have made five and four starts, respectively, also will work from the bullpen.
