Posted on: Tuesday, June 3, 2003
UH might lose Oklahoma State as foe
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
If history repeats itself, the University of Hawai'i might have to find another opponent to replace a marquee team on its schedule.
With Oklahoma State not renewing coach Tom Holliday's contract, the Cowboys will be with a new coach for 2004, when they are scheduled to play in a four-team UH-sponsored tournament.
This past season, Arkansas was supposed to open UH's season, but canceled following a coaching change.
"We'll have to see," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "It very well could happen. It would put us in a scramble mode."
The UH tournament will be moved to early March, instead of the traditional week of spring break. Oregon State and Chicago State are the other teams in the field.
Trapasso, a graduate of Oklahoma State, where he played during the 1984 and 1985 seasons, declined comment on whether he is interested in the Cowboys' job or has been approached for it. He will be entering the final year of a three-year contract at UH. Negotiations on an extension are not expected until the school settles football coach June Jones' contract.
Meanwhile, the Rainbows will be watching Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft, which begins today. Some of their incoming recruits, as well as two juniors, might get drafted and sign.
The Rainbows are down to two catchers — redshirt freshman Steve Bell-Irving and freshman Matt Inouye, who also plays the outfield. Freshman Drew Jackson is not returning.
Hawai'i has signed Iolani senior Kala Ka'aihue, who is expected to get drafted. The question is whether he will sign. Also, the Rainbows lost Maui High senior Vance Otake, who earlier verbally agreed to walk on in the fall. He has since accepted a walk-on offer from Cal State-Fullerton. Otake is a right-handed pitcher and catcher.
The Rainbows might also lose junior shortstop Brian Finegan, who started all 56 games this past season. They have signed Cerritos College transfer Andrew Castillo, who batted . 243 this past season with 16 steals in 18 tries. The shortstop walked nine times, while striking out 20.
"We're keeping our options open to be prepared for any event," Trapasso said.
