UH looks for fresh start in baseball
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
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After being used solely in relief his first three seasons, senior right-hander Jayson Kramer will start opening night for Hawai'i against nationally ranked UC Irvine to begin a four-game series Friday at Les Murakami Stadium.
The Rainbows open against a team that could be competing for a national seed — one of the eight Super Regional hosts should it advance that far — in the Anteaters, ranked ninth in Baseball America's preseason top 25.
Kramer goes the opposite way this time. He usually finished games last season, as he had a team-leading five saves. He started during a summer league several years ago and was a starter at Mid-Pacific Institute.
"He's a guy that's got life on his fastball and been able to throw different pitches for strikes," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "His last scrimmage on Saturday, he went six innings and really struggled with his off-speed for strikes, but was able to battle through it, where in years past, he wasn't able to do that. Jayson's a senior and he deserves a start on Friday."
Right-hander Nate Klein, a JC transfer whose career started at Southern California, will start Saturday's first game of a scheduled doubleheader.
"Nate's a four-pitch guy," Trapasso said of Klein. "He had a very good fall for us and has just continued that in the spring. He's a strike-thrower."
Klein redshirted his freshman year at USC because of elbow surgery. He pitched one inning in 2007 before transferring to Santa Barbara JC.
Right-hander Alex Capaul will start the scheduled seven-inning nightcap. He is the only one in this weekend's rotation who has Division I starts. Of his 13 appearances as a freshman last year, he had four starts.
"He's got good stuff," Trapasso said of Capaul, who missed the end part of last season with a broken jaw. "He can be erratic at times, but when he goes out there and competes, the stuff is good enough to win at any level. It's just a matter of time before Alex turns into a bonafide weekend guy."
Freshman right-hander Matt Sisto will start Sunday's series finale.
"He has the poise you don't see with many freshmen," Trapasso said. "He'll throw three pitches for strikes."
Senior right-hander Jared Alexander, the Western Athletic Conference's preseason Pitcher of the Year, continues to rehabilitate a tender right elbow that shut him down the latter part of last season. He was the projected top starter this season.
The order was based on the pitchers' throwing schedule since practice began last month, Trapasso said. The order could change week-to-week.
"There's really no design to any of these guys starting in the games they're starting in, other than that's where their throwing days landed," Trapasso said.
Trapasso said each starter has reached six innings or about 90 pitches in their last starts in scrimmages. He said each should be able to reach the 100-pitch mark this weekend.
The other pitchers will be used out of the bullpen. Sophomore right-hander Josh Slaats has been designated the closer. Coaches picked him as a relief pitcher for the preseason All-WAC team.
The Anteaters are slated to open with left-hander Daniel Bibona, a preseason All-America pick. He was 9-3 with a 3.08 earned run average.
Right-handers Christian Bergman and Crosby Slaught are scheduled to pitch the doubleheader. Bergman, who is pegged for the opener, beat UH, 13-4, to complete the three-game series sweep at Anteater Ballpark last season.
He gave up a run in five innings, striking out four. He was 5-2 with a 1.94 ERA, which ranked 10th in the nation last year. He also is a preseason All-America pick.
Sunday's starter has yet to be announced by UCI.
The Anteaters also boast a preseason All-America selection in the bullpen in closer Eric Pettis, who was second in the nation with 17 saves last year. uh's schedule
The Anteaters are the highest-ranking team in preseason on UH's schedule. They are solid at small-ball with excellent on-base, bunting and base-running skills.
"You'll see a lot of execution and they're very good at it," Trapasso said. "The ball park at UC Irvine is very similar to ours in that it's a big ball park. They're very skilled at handling the bat. They focus on pitching, defense and execution offense. That's not to say they don't have guys who can swing the bat. They do."
This is a very short home-stand because the Rainbows head north the following week to play in the Dairy Queen Classic at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. Although the team leaves Feb. 24, it won't get a workout in the dome until pregame warmups. Trapasso said there will be some small college games going on Feb. 25.
Also in the tournament are host Minnesota, UC Santa Barbara and Washington.
Hawai'i also plays in the Rose City Baseball Invitational in Portland, Ore., March 20 to 22. Joining the Rainbows are host Portland, Washington (again) and Pac-10 newcomer Oregon.
The Rainbows conclude their northwest road trip with a single game at Oregon State, College World Series champions in 2006 and 2007. It is UH's first return to OSU since their last regional appearance in 2006. The Beavers are ranked 25th by Baseball America.
Another nationally ranked team UH has on the schedule for home is Big South favorite Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers, ranked 28th by Collegiate Baseball newspaper, play here March 26 to 28.
Hawai'i also travels to Arizona State for a single game April 21 en route for its WAC series at New Mexico State. The Sun Devils are ranked 13th by Baseball America.
Capsules on WAC teams will be published when the WAC season starts in April.
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| HAWAI'I NON-CONFERENCE OPPONENTS IN 2009 (All games at Les Murakami Stadium, unless noted. All Hawai'i times for Mainland games.)
UC Irvine Anteaters
6:35 p.m. Friday, 1:05 p.m. Saturday (doubleheader), 1:05 p.m. Sunday.
Series: UC Irvine leads, 12-5; last meeting last year.
Conference: Big West
Ranking: 7th by Rivals.com, 9th by Baseball America, 13th by National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, 18th by USA Today/ESPN, 20 by Collegiate Baseball
Coach: Mike Gillespie
2008: 42-18, 14-10 Big West (tied for 3rd). Eliminated by Louisiana State in Super Regionals.
Notes: The Rainbows were swept in a three-game series at Anteater Park last season. Lost Scott Gorgen (12-3, 2.26) and Bryce Stowell (8-3, 3.26) to the draft, but return LH Daniel Bibona (9-3, 3.08) and Christian Bergman (5-2, 1.94) in the projected rotation. Closer Eric Pettis (17 saves) also returns. SS Ben Orloff (.344, 19 SB) is the catalyst of an offense that makes up for its lack of power with precise execution, making the Anteaters a good fit for Murakami Stadium. UCI is picked to finish second in the Big West by the league's coaches.
Minnesota Golden Gophers
Noon, Feb. 26 at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
Series: Tied at 1; last meeting in 1991
Conference: Big Ten
Coach: John Anderson
2008: 20-35, 10-21 Big Ten (9th)
Notes: All Big Ten OF Matt Nohelty started in all 55 games last year, leading the team with a .397 batting average, 53 runs and 24 steals (from 32 attempts). Though drafted by the Twins in the 18th round in June, he returns for his senior year. Picked to finish seventh in Big Ten in Baseball America's preview. (This game is not part of the Dairy Queen Classic.)
Dairy Queen Classic
At Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
(UH, Washington, UC Santa Barbara, Minnesota)
Washington Huskies
8:15 a.m. Feb. 27
Series: UH leads series, 12-7; last meeting 2006
Conference: Pac-10
Coach: Ken Knutson
2008: 33-22, 11-13 Pac-10 (6th)
Notes: The Huskies return two All-Pac-10 selections in pitcher Jorden Merry (8-2, 3.61) and outfielder Kyle Conley (.337, 19 HR, 57 RBI), who returned after being drafted in the 16th round by the Dodgers in June. Washington was picked to finish ninth by Pac-10 coaches.
UC Santa Barbara Gauchos
8 a.m., Feb. 28
Series: UH leads series, 11-4; last meeting in 2007
Conference: Big West
Ranking: 30th by Collegiate Baseball
Coach: Bob Brontsema
2008: 35-21, 14-10 Big West (tied for 3rd)
Notes: The Gauchos appear to be strong contenders in a strong conference, picked to finish third by Big West coaches. Returning are Big West Freshman Pitcher of the Year Mario Hollands (7-3, 4.03) right-handed pitcher Mike Ford (6-4, 2.96), infielder Shane Carlson (.349, 53 RBI) and outfielder Brian Gump (.318, 51 runs, 36 RBI).
Minnesota Golden Gophers
11:05 a.m. March 1
See above
Mississippi State Bulldogs
6:35 p.m. March 5 and 6, 1:05 p.m. March 7 and 8
Series: UH leads series, 6-5; last meeting in 1989
Conference: Southeastern
Coach: John Cohen
2008: 23-33, 9-21 SEC (6th in SEC West, 12th overall)
Notes: The Bulldogs are coming off their first losing season since 1975. John Cohen replaced long-time coach Ron Polk, a fixture during the program's glory years.
Loyola Marymount Lions
6:35 pm. March 12, 13 and 14, 1:05 p.m. March 15
Series: UH leads series, 22-7
Conference: West Coast
Coach: Jason Gill
2008: 23-32, 7-14 West Coast (7th)
Notes: The Lions hope to turn things around with first-year coach Jason Gill. Back are All-West Coast 1B Ryan Wheeler (.345, 45 RBI) and OF Angelo Songco (.356, 15 HR, 48 RBI). 'Iolani graduate Case Miyahira is the only player from Hawai'i on the roster, but biography says he will sit out the season per transfer rules, coming from Occidental. WCC coaches picked the Lions to finish sixth in the eight-team conference.
Rose City Baseball Invitational
At PGE Park, Portland, Ore.
(UH, Washington, Portland, Oregon)
Washington Huskies
10 a.m. March 20
See above
Portland Pilots
Series: First meeting
Conference: West Coast
Coach: Chris Sperry
2008: 21-33, 3-18 WCC (8th)
Notes: All-WCC SS Riley Hendericks (.301, 8 HR, 29 RBI) is the only notable returnee from a team picked by the league's coaches to finish last in the eight-team WCC.
Oregon Ducks
Series: UH leads series, 5-0; last meeting in 1978.
Conference: Pac-10
Coach: George Horton
2008: Ducks return to baseball for first time in 28 seasons
Notes: Don't feel sorry for a program that is playing with a recruiting class that was ranked second by Collegiate Baseball and 10th by Baseball America. It won't be long before the Ducks become a force in the Pac-10.
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
6:35 p.m. March 26, 3:30 p.m. March 27 (DH), 12:05 p.m. March 28
Series: Series is tied at 1; last meeting in 2003
Conference: Big South
Ranking: 22nd by NCBWA, 24th by USA Today/ESPN, 28th by Collegiate Baseball
Coach: Gary Gilmore
2008: 50-14, 17-3 Big South champions; eliminated by North Carolina in Super Regionals
Notes: The Chanticleers are favored to win the Big South in a poll of the eight-team league's coaches. Back is RH Nick McCully (10-3, 3.63), the conference's preseason Pitcher of the Year.
Santa Clara Broncos
3 p.m. at Stephen Schott Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.
Series: UH leads series, 16-10; last meeting in 2007
Conference: West Coast
Coach: Mark O'Brien
2008: 33-22, 13-8 WCC (3rd)
Notes: Picked to finish third by WCC coaches, the Broncos are strong up the middle with All-WCC picks C Tommy Medica (.342, 44 RBI), SS Jon Karcich (.351, 12 HR, 51 RBI) and 2B Brady Fuerst (.332, 44 RBI). Two 2008 Punahou alums are on the squad in RHP Reece Kiriu and INF Josh Bninski.
Arizona State Sun Devils
4 p.m. at Winkles Field-Packard Stadium at Brock Ballpark, Tempe, Ariz.
Series: ASU leads series, 26-18; last meeting in 2008
Conference: Pac-10
Ranking: 6th by Collegiate Baseball, 7th by NCBWA and USA Today/ESPN, 13th by Baseball America.
Coach: Pat Murphy
2008: 49-13, 16-8 Pac-10. Pac-10 champions. Eliminated by Fresno State in Super Regionals.
Notes: ASU is picked to win the Pac-10 by coaches and picked to finish second in Baseball America's preview. As usual, loaded with studs, beginning with RHP Mike Leake and OF Jason Kipnis. They are ranked 13th and 31st, respectively, in BA's Top 100 College Prospects. RHP Jeeter Ishida, a 2008 Punahou alum, is on the team.
St. Mary's Gaels
Noon, May 5 at Louis Guisto Field, Moraga, Calif.
Series: UH leads series, 10-5; last meeting in 1999
Conference: West Coast
Coach: Jedd Soto
2008: 26-26-1, 8-13 WCC (6th)
Notes: WCC coaches pick the Gaels to finish seventh in the eight-team conference, while Baseball America's preview has them an optimistic fifth. Players to watch are OF Kyle Jensen, a preseason All-WCC pick, freshman DH Troy Channing, who was picked in the 40th round by the Marlins out of high school and RHP Kyle Barraclough, described as a hard thrower.
Utah Valley Wolverines
6:35 p.m. May 14, 15 and 16, 1:05 p.m. May 17
Series: UV leads the series, 2-1; last meeting 2008.
Conference: Independent
Coach: Eric Madsen
2008: 17-36-1
Notes: The Wolverines spoiled UH's home season series finale by taking 2 of 3 last year, giving coach Steve Gardner a happy retirement send off. Back are 3B Jace Brinkerhoff (.328, 8 HR, 45 RBI), 1B Josh Hinckley (.309) and 2B Ryan Jones (.321) |
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.
