HONOLULU – The University of Hawai‘i Rainbow baseball team hit the field Monday at Les Murakami Stadium for the first official practice of the 2012 season. The ‘Bows will hold practice for just over a month before hosting Oregon in
HONOLULU – The University of Hawai‘i Rainbow baseball team hit the field Monday at Les Murakami Stadium for the first official practice of the 2012 season. The ‘Bows will hold practice for just over a month before hosting Oregon in their season opener on Feb. 17.
Head Coach Mike Trapasso enters his 11th season at the helm of the Rainbows. Trapasso eclipsed the 300-win mark last season en route to winning his third Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year award. He also guided the ‘Bows to their first WAC regular season title since 1992.
The Rainbows return talent defensively and with the bat. Senior Zack Swasey is starting his second and final season with Hawai‘i after earning an all-WAC first team selection one year ago. Senior pitcher Matt Sisto, also named First-Team All-WAC last year, will again reprise his role as ace of the UH pitching staff.
Hawai‘i returns 15 members of last year’s championship squad. UH was named Co-Regular Season Champions with Fresno State after finishing 17-7 in conference. The ‘Bows finished 34-25 overall and a pair of wins shy of their second straight NCAA Regional appearance.
Also critical to UH’s success will be the play of senior third baseman Collin Bennett, as well as juniors Pi‘ikea Kitamura and Breland Almadova. Kitamura has been a mainstay in the Rainbow infield and Almadova will again play centerfield. Bennett will make the move from the outfield after playing third base during Fall practice.
Prior to their opening series with the Ducks, the ‘Bows will play in their annual alumni game at Les Murakami Stadium. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
