The University of Hawai'i baseball season might have ended several weeks ago at the Western Athletic Conference tournament, but the program has a lot to be happy about this week.

Incoming recruit Christian Johnson ('Iolani 2006), an outfielder who signed a letter of intent in November, capped a nice two-year career at Central Arizona JC. He hit .385 with a team-leading .583 slugging percentage. He had 20 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 46 RBIs.

Johnson was named to the National Junior College World Series all-tournament team as designated hitter. He also was named recipient of the NJCAA Division I Rawlings Gold Glove as right fielder. He handled 59 chances without an error with nine assists. During his career, he had just one error in 162 total chances.

"It was totally unexpected," Johnson said of his fielding award.

Amazingly, he accomplished the batting feats this season despite missing 13 games with a quadriceps injury he sustained trying to beat out a bunt. When Johnson returned, he moved to DH. But when the JC World Series started, he was back in right field, except for one game when he was DH.

Johnson came home three days ago and plans to rest and continue rehabilitating his quads. Since the summer after graduating from 'Iolani, he estimates he has played some 300 games because JCs also play during the fall. Still, he is anxious for the 2009 season to start.

"If anything, the UH program is on the upside," Johnson said. "I can't wait. I wish the season would start tomorrow."

Also among the November signees with ties to Hawai'i are third baseman Colby Ho (Kaiser '06), a JC transfer from Palomar, and recent Kamehameha-Hawai'i graduate Kolten Wong, a catcher who is expected to be picked in the Major League First-Year Player Draft, which runs today and tomorrow.

MPI CONNECTION

Meanwhile, the Rainbows bolstered their recruiting with three more players, including two from Mid-Pacific Institute.

Recent MPI graduates Russell Doi and Easton Torigoe have accepted invitations to walk-on. Also, as mentioned earlier in the week, 2005 Kaua'i High graduate Kirby Yates, a right-handed pitcher, is transferring from Yavapai JC in Arizona.

Doi, a left-handed hitting second baseman, was an all-Interscholastic League of Honolulu first-team selection, batting .414 with a .527 on-base percentage and a team-leading 17 walks. He committed just six errors in 89 total chances in 139 defensive innings.

"I'm pretty excited," said Doi, who fielded offers from smaller schools, such as Chapman and Redlands.

Although his status is of a walk-on, he is assured of a spot on the 2009 roster. He said he will play with the Island Movers this summer.

Torigoe, a first baseman, hit .408 with a .632 slugging percentage from seven doubles, two triples and two home runs.

However, his walk-on status is a tryout to make the team during fall workouts.

"I've always wanted to play for Hawai'i," said Torigoe, who acknowledged that he was named after the bat manufacturer.

Yates, the younger brother of Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Tyler Yates, is expected to be taken in the draft.

INJURY UPDATE

Meanwhile, UH pitcher Jared Alexander, who missed the last three weeks of the season with a tender elbow, was diagnosed with just a strain by Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles, UH coach Mike Trapasso said. He will not require surgery.

Teammate Alex Bates, also suffering from a tender elbow, will also be checked by Yocum. If he does require Tommy John surgery, he will miss the 2009 season. Since Bates already red-shirted while in junior college, if he does miss his senior season at UH, he would have to apply for a medical hardship for a sixth season of eligibility in 2010, Trapasso said.

CAMPS

There are still openings for three UH Rainbow Baseball Summer Camps at Les Murakami Stadium.

There are three different sessions to choose from: July 4 to 6; July 25 to 27; and Aug. 2 to 3.

For the July sessions, pitching/catching camps are held from 9 a.m. to noon with the hitting camp from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For the August session, the hitting camp is 9 a.m. to noon with an infielders' camp from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Cost is $120 for each July camp or $200 for both the pitching/catching and hitting camps per session. The August session is $100 per camp or $160 for the combination.

For information, call 956-6247 or visit www.hawaiiathletics.com.