Warrior signs with New Mexico
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Kamehameha second baseman Ryson Mauricio will follow his father's cleat marks into Division I baseball, but at a different school.
Mauricio said yesterday he will sign a letter of intent to play at New Mexico, a former Western Athletic Conference program now in the Mountain West Conference. His father, Wade Mauricio, played for Hawai'i from 1978 to 1980.
Mauricio
"It would've been nice to go to UH, but I'm happy where I'm going," the younger Mauricio said.
Mauricio said he verbally committed to the Lobos yesterday and that the school will be sending the documents to sign. He said UH showed interest, but did not make an offer.
He said New Mexico started showing interest in him during the fall, when Mauricio was a member of Team Hawai'i, which played in the Arizona Senior Fall Classic, a showcase for club teams that played in front of pro and college scouts.
Mauricio has been a starter in the infield for the Warriors since his sophomore year, when Kamehameha won the state championship. He was on The Advertiser's all-tournament team at third base. A labrum injury early last season minimized his playing time. He has since shifted to second base. He said the Lobos told him he will play somewhere in the infield.
He was always intrigued with playing in college. He said his father told him stories of his UH days, when he played with greats such as Derek Tatsuno. He also mentioned Hawai'i's runner-up finish at the 1980 College World Series.
"Back then, they were always Top 10," Ryson said. "His experience in the College World Series was always special for him."
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
