University of Hawai'i at Hilo women's softball coach Callen Perreira is leaving the school after a 20-year career in which he built the Vulcan's into a nationally-recognized program.

"Having been born and raised here, it has been an honor for me to coach the game that I love right here at home," said Perreira, who has accepted an assistant coaching position at the College of Southern Nevada in Henderson, Nev.

Luoluo Hong, UHH vice chancellor for student affairs and acting athletic director, said assistant coach Gwen Kagaoan will take over as interim head coach. A search for a permanent head coach will begin after a new athletic director is chosen.

Since 1990, Perreira has guided the program to a 581-344-2 record, with 17 consecutive winning seasons, a fourth place finish in the 1992 NAIA national championship, Pacific West Conference championships in 2004 and 2005, and appearances in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 NCAA Division II West Regional.

Perreira's first year with the Vulcans was the 1989 season as an assistant coach.

BASEBALL

CALIFORNIA PITCHER TO PLAY FOR HPU

Nolan Hoppie, of Villa Park High in California, has signed a letter of intent to play for Hawai'i Pacific University in 2010, the school announced yesterday.

Hoppie, a 5-foot-10, 165-pound pitcher, helped his Spartan team to the second round of the CIF Division I playoffs last season, with a record of 5-3 record and two saves. He had 34 strikeouts in 67 innings.

GOLF

ISLE JUNIOR GOLFERS QUALIFY FOR OPTIMIST

Eighteen golfers qualified to compete at the 15th annual Optimist International Junior Golf Championships next month during a qualifier at Turtle Bay yesterday.

The Optimist championships will be played July 23 to 28 (boys/girls 10-11, 12-13 and 14-15), and July 28 to Aug. 2 (boys/girls 16-18) at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

The qualifiers, playing on Turtle Bay's par-72 Fazio Course, were:

Boys 10-11: Taisei Negishi, 39-37—76. 12-13: Richard Hattori, 34-36—70; John Oda, 36-36—72; Philip Delisi, 38-38—76. 14-15: Skye Inakoshi, 34-36—70; Ryan Kuroiwa, 35-35—70; Justin Chu, 37-36—73. 16-18: Brett Komoto, 38-37—75; Levi Miyashiro, 39-37—76; Cole Yamane, 40-39—79.

Girls 10-11: Mariel Gladiano, 38-38—76. 12-13: Brittany Fan, 36-42—78; Eimi Koga, 39-40—79. 14-15: Cassy Isagawa, 36-40—76; Kacie Komoto, 38-41—79; Margaret Min, 39-41—80. 16-18: Alina Ching, 34-36—70; Hee Sue Condry, 35-35—70.

Three golfers received exemptions: Lorens Chan (Boys 14-15), Bradley Shigezawa (Boys 16-18), and Allisen Corpuz (Girls 12-13).