Rainbows' Russo honored by WAC
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Rocky Russo made the most of his return to the starting lineup a little more than a week ago by being named Western Athletic Conference Player of the Week, the league announced yesterday.
The sophomore third baseman is the third Rainbow to earn a conference weekly award this season.
Russo batted .471 with two doubles, a three-run home run and eight RBIs in helping the Rainbows win the First Hawaii Title Rainbow Tournament. For his performance, he was voted the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
"We're happy for Rocky," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "He's definitely deserving for the week he had. Hopefully, he can keep it going as well as the rest of our club."
Russo, of Monterey, Calif., did not start during a nine-game stretch after starting the first four games of the season at third base. After the first four starts, he was the DH in his next two games. He did not return to the starting lineup at third base — he made pinch-hitting and defensive appearances during the nine-game stretch — until the third game of the San Francisco series and started all five games of the Rainbow tournament. He ignited the Rainbows with a three-run home run in the first inning against Chicago State in the opener of the tournament.
"I just tried to work hard and wait for my chance to get back in there," Russo said.
Russo is batting .349 and is third on the team with a .466 slugging average.
After playing eight games during a nine-day stretch, the Rainbows have just one game this week. They play Division II Hawai'i Pacific at 6:35 p.m. Saturday.
With only one game, the Rainbows could use the break to heal injuries. Center fielder Robbie Wilder (hamstring), left fielder Jaziel Mendoza (ankle) and catcher Matt Inouye (shoulder) are expected to be ready for the HPU game.
UH's Ricky Bauer was WAC Pitcher of the Week and Matt Inouye was Player of the Week during consecutive weeks last month.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
