Rainbows' Cayetano was worth waiting for
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
The season could not have started soon enough for University of Hawai'i pitcher Justin Cayetano.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser
After two years of junior college, a season at Washington State and a redshirt year, the senior left-hander from Mililani had his childhood dream of becoming a Rainbow finally realized.
Justin Cayetano took a circuitous route to UH, but he's pitched in with a 1-0 record and 1.93 ERA.
"Opening day, UCLA, even though I didn't start Friday, for some reason I was nervous, like I was supposed to pitch," Cayetano said of that Feb. 7 evening. "I was so excited, it hit me (that my dream came true) that first game."
His UH debut the next day ended in a no-decision in which he gave up four runs, one unearned, in six innings. But his second start a week later against Sacramento State saw him pitch eight strong innings as he combined with Clary Carlsen for UH's first shutout of the season. The 5-foot-7, 175-pound Cayetano (1-0) lowered his earned-run average to 1.93.
Like a lot of local boys in youth baseball, Cayetano hoped to pitch for UH someday. The 1998 Mililani High graduate had a successful prep career, which included a five-inning perfect game in the 1997 O'ahu Interscholastic Association quarterfinals against Nanakuli (shortened by 10-run mercy rule in 14-0 win) his junior year, as well as all-star honors two years running.
• When: 6:35 p.m. today and tomorrow; 1:05 p.m. Sunday • Where: Les Murakami Stadium • Tickets: $6 Blue and Orange levels; $5 Red level (adults); $4 Red level (65 and older, students K-12 and UH students with IDs). • Parking: $3 • Radio/TV: KKEA-AM 1420 and K-5 will broadcast all games live. • Series history: Tied at 14. Hawai'i won the last meeting, 4-2, in the 2001 Easter Tournament. • Probable starters (UH pitcher listed second): Today—RH Mathew Jakubov (1-0, 3.60) vs. RH Chris George (2-0, 1.59); Tomorrow—LH Steve Uhlmansiek (1-0, 0.00) vs. LH Justin Cayetano (1-0, 1.93); Sunday—RH Mike Pelfrey (1-0, 0.00) vs. RH Ricky Bauer (1-0, 4.70)
But he was a non-qualifier academically for Division I, so he ended up at Laney College in Oakland, Calif., which had a number of Hawai'i players because one of its coaches is Kalaheo graduate Carl Fraticelli.
• Who: Wichita State (7-0) vs. Hawai'i (6-1)
"It was that or LCC (Leeward Community College) or something, but I wanted to keep playing ball," Cayetano said.
After two strong seasons at Laney, he received several Division I offers, including from UH. Although the chance to realize his dream was within grasp, Washington State made a better offer. Plus, Cayetano said, it was the Pac-10 and he thought he would get better exposure.
But when he got to WSU, there was a new coach. Cayetano still made 13 starts in 19 appearances, finishing 3-4 with a 7.78 ERA, but felt he didn't belong in the new coach's plans, so he returned home. Even though he had a season of eligibility, he thought his college career was over. He played in an open league, where UH coach Mike Trapasso took notice.
"He came up to me after the game and asked me if I was interested (in playing for UH)," Cayetano said.
Cayetano said he had academic issues to settle first, so he had to redshirt. The hardest part was practicing, but not being able to play.
"I told myself, learn Coach Trapasso's program, lift (weights), get stronger, just work harder, so when the season comes around I'll be ready," he said.
Initially, Cayetano was supposed to be a swing pitcher, or one who could start, close or provide middle relief. But without projected starting pitchers Justin Azze (awaiting NCAA notice on an eligibility issue) and Colby Summer (elbow injury), Cayetano has been able to fulfill a part of his role admirably.
"He's a small guy, but has tremendous pitch-ability," UH pitching coach Chad Konishi said. "He doesn't throw very hard, but keeps the ball in and out, keeps people honest at the plate. His changeup and breaking ball are his greatest equalizers. He forces contact. He walks a little bit too many guys than I would like for a finesse pitcher. But he keeps us in the game. He's a competitor."
While Cayetano (no relation to former Gov. Ben Cayetano) has shown his competitive nature for the Rainbows, there was a time when he revealed it against them. Before the 2001 season, Laney, like some other California JCs, scrimmaged against Hawai'i's college teams. Cayetano pitched against UH at then Rainbow Stadium. He departed after seven innings with a 6-2 lead, only to have the relievers allow UH to tie. He recalled there were six or seven starters in the Laney lineup who were from Hawai'i, so "we brought a crowd."
"Even though it was a scrimmage, it was a championship game to me because all of us wanted to come back and play for UH, all the guys from Hawai'i," Cayetano said. "But we were non-qualifiers, so we just wanted to go out and beat 'em. We had nothing to lose. We were pumped when played them."
The sociology major said he wants to follow the lead of his high school coach. Glenn Nitta was an outreach counselor and baseball coach before becoming athletic director at Mililani.
"If I don't get drafted, baseball would be over for me," Cayetano said. "But I want to still deal with baseball, so if I coach it, I'll still be with baseball."
