Fullerton, Suzuki open CWS regional play

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Tomorrow through Monday will be hectic for Cal State Fullerton junior catcher Kurt Suzuki.

The 2001 Baldwin High graduate and his Titans' teammates will take their first step toward a return trip to the College World Series in one of 16 regionals around the country. The Big West champions (36-20) are hosting Big Ten champion Minnesota (38-21), West Coast Conference champion Pepperdine (28-3) and Pac-10 fourth-place Arizona State (40-16) at Goodwin Field in Fullerton, Calif. The Sun Devils, ironically, are the top seed of the regional.

"We're kind of disappointed, but we figure, No. 1 seed or not, no matter who you put us against, we'll give them a good game," said Suzuki, a second-team All-American. "But we feel good about it because (our opponents) have to beat us (at our) home."

When the regionals are done Sunday, Suzuki will eagerly await a phone call from a major league team the next day. Monday is the first day of the two-day, 50-round major league draft. Draft publications have him tabbed to be taken as early as the sandwich round, the compensation picks between the first and second rounds.

Suzuki said scouts have been vague, only saying he will get picked within the first 10 rounds.

Suzuki is having his best collegiate season. He was named Big West Player of the Year and a second-team All-American by Sports Weekly.

What's up for 2005

For those who can't wait till next year, the University of Hawai'i baseball team has scheduled two teams that are playing in this week's regionals for the non-conference portion of the 2005 schedule

Florida State, which played UH two seasons ago, and Wichita State, which played UH in 2003, are among nine teams making up the home non-conference schedule for the Rainbows. Florida State is hosting a regional at Tallahasee, Fla., while the Shockers are playing at Fayetteville, Ark.

Also on next season's docket are St. Mary's, Washington State and Winthrop. Playing in the expanded six-team (from four) Rainbow Tournament are the Shockers, San Francisco, Louisiana Lafayette, Sacramento State and UC Davis.

There will be single road games at California, San Francisco and Pacific.

'Bows of summer

To stay sharp, most of the returning Rainbows will play in summer leagues across the nation. Only outfielder Robbie Wilder and pitcher Stephen Bryant will rest. Wilder is scheduled for shoulder surgery and Bryant is resting an ailing back.

• Center fielder/catcher Matt Inouye will play for the Hyannis (Mass.) Mets of the Cape Cod League, a wooden bat league that features some of the top collegiate players. Pitcher Ricky Bauer played for Brewster last summer.
• Infielder Andrew Castillo, left-hander Isaac Kamai and designated hitter Nate Thurber will play for the Island Movers, who play home games at Les Murakami Stadium. The Movers also play games in Japan and South Korea.
• Seven Rainbows will be in the Pacific International League. Shortstop Troy Hanzawa and outfielder Derek Dupree will play at Spokane (Wash.), while right-handers Darrell Fisherbaugh and Colby Summer will pitch for Aloha (Ore.).

Also in the Pacific International League will be: infielder Schafer Magana at Bellingham (Wash.), first baseman Jonathan Hee at Wenatchee (Wash.) and catcher Steve Bell-Irving at Langley (B.C.).

• Four Rainbows will be in the Northwoods League. Third baseman Rocky Russo will play at Duluth (MN), while right-hander Guy McDowell will pitch at La Crosse (Wis.). Right-handers Ricky Bauer and Keahi Rawlins will pitch for Madison (Wis.).
• Three will experience the midnight sun in the Alaska Summer League. Outfielder Greg Kish and second baseman Isaac Omura will play at Anchorage, while right-hander Steven Wright is ticketed for Kenai.
• Left-hander Kaimi Mead will be at Santa Barbara (Calif.) of the California Collegiate League.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.