'Iolani School senior Jarrett Arakawa, an Advertiser All-State first-team utility selection, said he has verbally committed to play baseball at the University of Hawai'i.

The left-handed pitcher said he will also be given a chance to be a two-way player for the Rainbows. He also plays the outfield and first base.

"I wanted to stay at home and play for a college that I basically grew up about 10 minutes away from," the 6-foot, 180-pound Arakawa said.

Arakawa was 5-1 with three saves and a 2.36 earned run average, while batting .411 with 17 RBIs in helping the Raiders win the Interscholastic League of Honolulu baseball title.

He is the third in-state player to verbally commit to UH for the 2011 season. Previous verbal commitments came from Campbell pitcher Kale Ka'alekahi and Kamehameha catcher Keanu Carmichael. The earliest three can sign national letters of intent is November.

Arakawa spent the summer attending baseball camps at Santa Clara and Stanford. He also played American Legion and for the ABD Hawaii team that participated in a Perfect Game showcase in Georgia. Arakawa said he also had offers from Santa Clara and San Francisco.

Arakawa also is a starting quarterback and plays basketball for the Raiders.