Posted on: Wednesday, May 4, 2005
HPU coaching job will be part-time
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hawai'i Pacific University's baseball season ended a couple weeks ago with questions about its future.
The school is seeking a coach to succeed Allan Sato, who resigned after 10 seasons following the team's last game on April 17 against Hawai'i-Hilo at Aloha Stadium. Sato has since accepted a position at the city Neighborhood Commission.
"It's comforting and exciting to know I'm going to an organization and department that is warm and welcoming," Sato said of his new job.
He said he hasn't ruled out returning to coaching.
Hawai'i Pacific, which competes as an NCAA Division II independent, apparently will be taking a different approach with baseball. Sato also was an assistant to the athletic director for the past five years. However, his successor will not have the luxury of a full-time position. The school's press release seeking a new coach said the position will be part-time.
Sato was pleased with the performance of his 21-19 team.
"We got good performances from people we didn't expect to get from," Sato said. "(Infielder Bryan) Daguio did a good job; he had been hurt last year. (Outfielder Greg) Benoit was up there in batting average (.336). He was a good leader in the outfield, moving from left to center. He had to learn a new position.
"Our freshmen pitchers Tony Ganigan (2-1, 4.45 ERA) and Pierce Manglallan (3-3, 6.52), for being as young as they were, battled with the big boys. We had good outings from all our freshmen, like Danny Lee (.293, 17 RBIs) at third base and Spencer Omalza (.333)."
Grandon Costa and Brandon Sato led the team in batting at .380 and .343, respectively. Each had 20 RBIs. Benoit led the team with nine home runs and 38 RBIs. Alika Kuraoka capped his HPU career with six home runs and 27 RBIs.
Meanwhile, Hawai'i-Hilo finished a 6-34 campaign, with five wins coming in the last 10 games, including 3 of 4 from HPU.
"It was kind of bittersweet," UHH coach Joey Estrella said of the Vulcans' season.
Senior third baseman Johnny Dudoit finished his career leading the team in hitting at .336 and two home runs and was second in RBIs with 17. Outfielder David Chu was second in batting at .307 and third with 16 RBIs.
John Matson was the team's most consistent starting pitcher with a 3.63 ERA, making nine starts with one complete game. But a lack of run support saw him finish 1-7. Matson and Tyson Usui were named to the all-academic team among independent programs.
The Vulcans will continue to compete as a Division I independent next season. Their schedule includes Washington State, San Jose State, Wichita State, Kansas, Western Illinois and San Diego State.
"It's a good schedule," Estrella said, "but not as challenging as this year's was."
Among the Vulcans' opponents this season were nationally ranked Florida State and Wichita State, as well as California, Nebraska and Kansas.
NOTE: HPU is taking applications for head baseball coach. The position is part-time. For information, contact HPU's human resources department at (808) 544-1188.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
