Cougars have own Hawaiian punch

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

There will be familiar faces in both dugouts when Washington State and Hawai'i play a four-game series starting tonight at Les Murakami Stadium.

Zach McAngus (Kamehameha 2002) is a junior starting third baseman for the Cougars (5-5) and the team's leading hitter (.415). Two seasons ago, he played against UH with the Air Force Academy.

"We count on him to be a very valuable part of our team," said WSU first-year coach Don Marbut, promoted from assistant last year. "He's going to be one of the better players in our league (Pac-10)."

Also, Marbut knows UH players Adam Roberts and Robbie Nelson very well. They played for Marbut, who came over from Edmonds Community College in Washington from 2000-2003. (He also coached former UH pitcher Clary Carlsen.)

McAngus likes his change of scenery from the regimental lifestyle at Air Force, which he left after his freshman year.

"It's not like a super-big university, but it's not too small," he said. "Everybody rallies around sports. It's a good place to be."

Pac-10 coaches picked WSU to finish last in the nine-team conference. But Marbut is hopeful.

"We're really trying to put this program back on the map," Marbut said. "I think this is the year we're sure we'll be able to do that."

"We have a young team this year, so they'll be bumps in the road," McAngus said. "But we're looking forward to having a good year with our new head coach."

Meanwhile, the Rainbows (5-3) will be gearing for nine games in 10 days. After this series, they start their six-team tournament on Tuesday.

"It will be a grind, but I think our guys are ready for it," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "We'll continue to get some guys out there that maybe haven't played as much as some other guys."

Hawai'i leads the all-time series against WSU, 19-10.

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