Kamehameha's Texeira says he'll sign with Rainbows
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Kanekoa Texeira of state champion Kamehameha said yesterday he will sign a national letter of intent to play baseball for the University of Hawai'i.
The 6-foot, 195-pound right-handed pitcher said he will fax his letter to UH today, the last day of the early signing period.
"I liked the facilities and I like what the program has to offer," said Texeira, who is from Maui.
Texeira said he also had offers from Cal State-Fullerton and Arizona.
Texeira apparently had a strong showing at the Arizona Senior Fall Wood Classic, where he said scouts from the Seattle Mariners, Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees showed interest.
"He has a live arm," Kamehameha coach Vern Ramie said. "He's always had the potential and he's finally realizing that potential now."
Ramie said that Texeira got off to a slow start last year because of an ankle injury suffered from basketball season. Ramie said Texeira's game improved in time for the Interscholastic League of Honolulu and state baseball tournaments. He beat Waiakea, 7-5, in last year's state semifinals.
Texeira's best pitch is the fastball, which was consistently in the mid-80-mph range, Ramie said. But since then, Texeira has gained about 12 pounds and has seen his fastball top 92 mph at the Arizona Classic, Ramie said.
Other Hawai'i players expected to sign with UH are: pitchers Myles Ioane and Ronnie Loeffler of Waiakea, pitcher Harrison Kuroda and outfielder Ryan Asato of Mid-Pacific, and catcher Aaron Asher of 'Aiea.
Also, at least two California high school players, Joe Spiers, a shortstop from Arrowhead Christian of Redlands, and Greg Burns, an outfielder from Walnut High, were expected to sign with UH.
Those players have told The Advertiser they had committed to UH.
Meanwhile, Waimea High third baseman Leonard Zalopany III, who said he had orally committed to UH, has decided he will not sign after all, citing a "misunderstanding."
He has been invited to the Perfect Game Showcase in Florida in January.
NCAA prohibits college coaches from commenting on recruits until after they sign letters of intent.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
