Kolten Wong came to the University of Hawai'i baseball team from the Big Island, but he might as well have been dropped from the heavens.

The slugging outfielder's arrival at UH has been almost providential, a potential answer to the school's prayers on so many levels.

When Wong hammered three home runs Sunday to cap a four-game sweep of Loyola Marymount, he showed signs, bold thunder bolts, really, of promising the kind of player UH has long been seeking.

Not only can he give the 'Bows a booming bat in the lineup, but a potential homegrown drawing card at the ticket window. And when was the last time they had all that in one package, John Matias (1985-'89), Mario Monico (1982-'85), or Joey Meyer (1982-'83)?

If you've seen the empty seats at UH these past months — and we're not just talking Les Murakami Stadium — you know that paying fans have been scarce. Between a tight entertainment dollar and struggling teams (men's and women's basketball, men's volleyball, etc.), attractions are a welcome commodity at UH.

If there is anything that will bring fans to the ballpark in Manoa, in addition to the kind of a roll the 'Bows are getting on now, history suggests it is an accomplished strikeout artist or a slugger. While some of us might never see the likes of another Derek Tatsuno on the mound in this lifetime, Wong provides hope for a revival of the long ball. Somebody who not only hits balls over the fence but has little fear of running into the wall to make catches is bound to be a crowd pleaser.

That Wong could be that player shouldn't come as a surprise, of course. He has had that potential, which is why head coach Mike Trapasso and his staff put much into trying to convince him to forsake an offer from the Minnesota Twins, who made him a 16th-round draft choice in June, and come to UH.

"The best thing to happen to this program in a long time," is how sportscaster Don Robbs, who is 33 seasons into calling UH games, puts it.

The unknown with Wong, as any freshman, is how soon he might find consistency in demonstrating that considerable talent. But in 64 at-bats over 16 games, he's already hit four home runs. At pitcher-friendly Murakami Stadium, that's an eye-opening start. Consider the UH single-season home run record is 16 (Meyer in 1983). Or that Matias has the career mark of 30 over parts of five seasons.

To be sure, Wong will have his struggles and slumps this year. But even if Sunday's power surge was but a flicker of Wong's potential, you've got to be excited about the possibilities.

You can bet UH sure is.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.