There will definitely be a Hawai'i flavor in Cedar City, Utah, this baseball season.

That's the home of Southern Utah, which is coached by Punahou graduate David "Boy" Eldredge, and the team will have two true freshmen from Hawai'i in its starting lineup.

Chester Wilson and Keli'i Zablan, both 2005 Saint Louis School graduates, have earned starting jobs in the infield for the Thunderbirds, who were picked third in the seven-team Mid-Continent Conference behind Oral Roberts and Western Illinois. Southern Utah opens its season Feb. 9 when it hosts Utah Valley State for a four-game series.

Wilson, of Honolulu, was an Advertiser All-State first baseman, but he'll be playing third for the Thunderbirds.

"We kind of switched him to the other side of the infield and he's adjusted well," said Eldredge, who is in his second season as Southern Utah's head coach.

Eldredge said the 5-foot-11, 205-pound right-handed hitter has a quiet demeanor, but "carries a big stick. He plays loud out on the field. He swings the bat well and goes to the opposite field very well."

Zablan, of 'Ewa Beach, was an Advertiser All-State second-team shortstop.

"He's quick and very smooth in the infield," Eldredge said. "Coming in, we looked at the possibility of him moving to the outfield. But we saw him in the infield and taking grounders, he looked smooth in his footwork and approach. That opened our eyes. He swings the bat, too. On scout day, he hit a double and home run in one game."

Wilson will bat seventh and Zablan ninth, at least for now.

"I want to take a little bit off their shoulders, let them ease their way in," Eldredge said.

That they are starting is somewhat of a tribute to their skills. Six of Southern Utah's position starters are seniors with the other being a junior.

Eldredge said he signed both players during the summer. He said he had been aware of their abilities as early as two falls ago, when they played with Team Hawai'i in a showcase tournament in Arizona. Hawai'i will be one of his key recruiting grounds, said Eldredge, who also follows the progress of Hawai'i players at junior colleges.

"I love the emotion that (Hawai'i players) play with," Eldredge said. "They're tough kids. They bring a little of a fight with them. That's what we were lacking last year."

In another Hawai'i connection, Eldredge also has former Hawai'i Rainbow pitcher Larry Ellenbrook. Seldom used last season, Ellenbrook figures to be Southern Utah's No. 1 or No. 2 pitcher, Eldredge said.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.