Posted on: Tuesday, April 22, 2003

WAC fetes hot-hitting Cook for second time

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

For the second time in his two-year career with the University of Hawai'i baseball team, senior Brent Cook was named Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week.

Cook batted .636 (7-for-11) last week, starting with a 3-for-3 performance in a 12-4 win against UH-Hilo a week ago. He then went 4-for-8 with two runs, a triple and three walks to help the Rainbows in their first-ever series sweep of Fresno State over the weekend. Cook's triple was his fourth of the season, which also leads the WAC.

"It's definitely an honor," Cook said, "but the most important thing was the series sweep. It's what counts most. It's nice to win the award, but it all comes back to the team for the sweep."

The sweep was the first in the WAC in coach Mike Trapasso's two seasons. It also gave the Rainbows the season series, 4-2, against the Bulldogs. The Rainbows have won five in a row.

Cook, who also earned the weekly honor last season, credited the team's pitching for the sweep.

"It started with Ricky Bauer setting the tempo for the series," Cook said. "We followed up with (Chris) George and Keahi (Rawlins). We didn't put up big numbers (offensively), but we did what we had to do."

Bauer, George and Rawlins combined to allow one run in 23 innings. The only run allowed was by George and that came via a wild pitch.

Cook is the second Rainbow to get Player of the Week honors this season, joining shortstop Brian Finegan.

San Jose State sophomore Matt Durkin was WAC Pitcher of the Week for the third time this season and fifth overall in his career. Durkin pitched a four-hitter with 14 strikeouts in a 7-0 win against Louisiana Tech. UH's Bauer also was nominated for his eight scoreless innings against Fresno State Friday.

The Rainbows (23-19 overall, 5-13 WAC) will face Durkin in this weekend's WAC series against the Spartans (20-21, 6-11). This will be their first meeting this season.

"We definitely have momentum on our side now," Cook said.