ISLE FILE
Hawaii baseball stars start careers
Advertiser Staff
Former Hawai'i Rainbows pitcher Ian Harrington will get to pitch in front of his family and might have to face former teammate Justin Frash this summer.
The two have been assigned to the short-season Single-A Northwest League for their pro baseball debuts. The league's season starts today.
Harrington, picked in the 23rd round by the Arizona Diamondbacks, was assigned to the Yakima (Wash.) Bears. The left-hander said he is scheduled to start Saturday and that his family from Renton will be attending.
"It's cool," Harrington said.
Third baseman Frash, drafted in the 27th round by the Oakland Athletics, has been assigned to the Vancouver Canadians.
The two can expect to run into yet another former teammate in Kris Sanchez, a first baseman who signed as a free agent (as a fifth-year senior) with the Seattle Mariners. He will be with the Everett (Wash.) Aquasox.
Meanwhile, former UH pitcher Tyler Davis and ex-Concordia infielder Keoni Ruth (Kamehameha 2003), both drafted by San Diego in the 21st and 22nd rounds, respectively, have been assigned to the club's Rookie League team in Arizona.
Also, former UH-Hilo pitcher Lars Knepper, drafted in the 29th round by the San Francisco Giants, will be at his club's rookie team in Arizona. Knepper still had a season of eligibility with the Vulcans, but said he signed for an undisclosed bonus that included money for a year of tuition should he decide to complete his degree.
Former Rainbow Eli Rimes (2006), who transferred to Sonoma State, was assigned to Low-A Billings of the Pioneer League. The first baseman was picked in the 25th round by the Cincinnati Reds.
Another former 'Bow, infielder Joe Spiers (2005 to 2006), who transferred to San Diego State, signed as an undrafted free agent with the Atlanta Braves and was assigned to the Gulf Coast League.
PADDLING
LANIKAI WINS THIRD REGATTA IN ROW
Lanikai Canoe Club won its third consecutive O'ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association regatta to start the season Sunday at Nanakuli Beach Park.
Lanikai won 13 of 39 races and scored 105 points to win the Leeward Kai Fathers Day Regatta.
Kailua placed second with 77 points followed by Outrigger (57), Hui Nalu (54), Healani (12) and New Hope (11).
PREPS
UCKER, CABREROS EARN STATE HONORS
Christian Liberty Academy's Keoni Ucker and Samantha Cabreros of Punahou were named the Gatorade track and field athletes of the year for Hawai'i.
Ucker, a senior, was the boys state 1,500-meter champion this year, beating his brother Nick, by 2.09 seconds. He was also the Big Island Interscholastic Federation champion in the 1,500 and 3,000.
Ucker has a 3.14 grade point average, and also played volleyball, basketball and ran cross country for Christian Liberty, in Kea'au on the Big Island.
Cabreros, a senior, won her third straight state title in the triple jump this year. She has a 3.50 grade point average.
