Hawai'i got a verbal commitment this week. But it belongs to baseball.

Konawaena senior Dorian Rivera, a 6-foot-4, 205-pound right-handed pitcher, said he will sign with the Rainbows during the next signing period for baseball players that starts April 14.

Rivera pitched for Kealakehe, where he played his sophomore and junior seasons. He transferred to Konawaena at the start of this school year. He played defensive end and linebacker for the Wildcats football team.

"They're Hawai'i's icon, Hawai'i's team," Rivera said of choosing UH. "Everyone on UH are like the superstars of the state. I grew up watching them. It's not too far from home and you get to play DI ball against top competition in the nation."

He said Division II Hawai'i Pacific also offered him a scholarship.

Rivera is the fourth player from Hawai'i that is expected to join the Rainbows in the fall. The other three are 'Iolani left-handed pitcher Jarrett Arakawa, Campbell right-handed pitcher Kale Ka'alakahi and Kamehameha catcher Keanu Carmichael. The three signed letters of intent in November's early signing period.

UH PICKED THIRD

Hawai'i was picked to finish third in the seven-team Western Athletic Conference in a poll of the conference's coaches, the conference announced yesterday.

Defending champion Fresno State was picked first, garnering five first-place votes, with New Mexico State picked to finish second. The Aggies had one first-place vote.

The only other team receiving a first-place vote was San Jose State, which was picked to finish fifth.

The Rainbows landed three players on the preseason all-WAC team. Junior outfielder Sean Montplaisir, junior shortstop Greg Garcia and senior starting pitcher Nate Klein were UH's selections as voted on by the WAC coaches.

Hawai'i's Kolten Wong, the WAC Freshman of the Year last season, was not among the selections. Last year, he was an outfielder, but this season is playing second base. Fresno State's Danny Muno, the coaches' selection at second base, also was pegged as the preseason Player of the Year.

Fresno State's Derek Benny was picked as Pitcher of the Year.

This season's WAC tournament, which takes the top six teams, will be held at a neutral site, Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Ariz., from May 26 to 30.

The Rainbows' alumni game is set for 1 p.m. Feb. 13 at Les Murakami Stadium.

GRAND SLAM

The UH baseball Grand Slam Celebration is set for Feb. 15 at the Stan Sheriff Center. It runs from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The fundraiser for the Rainbows' baseball program features food from a number of local restaurants, beverages from various vendors, live and silent auctions and entertainment by Imua.

Cost is $75 for individuals or $850 for a table ranging from eight to 10 people.

Call 956-6247 for information.

PRESEASON ALL-WAC

OF—Dusty Robinson, So., Fresno State

OF—Sean Montplaisir, Jr., Hawai'i

OF—Westley Moss, Sr., Nevada

OF—Jason Martin, Jr., San Jose State

1B—Shaun Kort, Sr., Nevada

2B—Danny Muno, Jr., Fresno State

SS—Greg Garcia, Jr. Hawai'i

3B—Corey Valine, Sr., San Jose State

C—Trent Garrison, So., Fresno State

U—Jared Jordan, Sr., New Mexico State

DH—Nick Melino, So., Nevada

SP—Derek Benny, So. Fresno State

SP—Nate Klein, Sr., Hawai'i

SP—Jesse Darrah, So., Sacramento State

RP—Tyler Graham, Sr., Nevada

RP—Scott Coffman, So., New Mexico State

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Danny Muno, Fresno State

PITCHER OF THE YEAR

Derek Benny, Fresno State