Two years ago, the University of Hawaii baseball team needed to rebuild its build.
The Big West Conference, of which the Rainbow Warriors joined in 2013, provided a more challenging league schedule.
“No question about it, we had to get more physical in all phases, from a lineup standpoint in particular,” coach Mike Trapasso said. “Even on the mound, we wanted more physical guys. … Two years ago, we made a conscious decision to change the direction and the philosophy of our recruiting. And so that first year when we did that, we went a little heavy junior college. This senior class is really the result of that first recruiting effort into doing something differently.”
Outfielders Marcus Doi and Alex Fitchett, third baseman Josh Rojas, and pitchers Brendan Hornung, Casey Ryan, Kyle Mitchell and Isaac Friesen will complete their collegiate careers with the three-game series against UC Santa Barbara beginning tonight at Les Murakami Stadium. Doi, a 2013 Mid-Pacific Institute graduate, is the group’s only four-year player. The other six transferred from junior colleges.
The Warriors, who are 26-22 overall and 8-13 in the Big West, already are assured a winning regular season for the first time since 2012.
“This group (of seniors) is really responsible for changing things, changing our culture last year,” Trapasso said. “By adding a very good recruiting class this year, particularly with the freshman class, in two recruiting classes we’re seeing the fruits of that decision, of that change. That’s why these seniors are very special to me.”
Trapasso said the seniors shepherd the way the ’Bows practice (more competitive situations) and study. Trapasso said if a player misses a class, the entire team is punished.
“They hold each other accountable,” Trapasso said. “When you’re going to class and you’re suffering consequences because another teammate was too selfish to get out of bed and go to class, that usually straightens those guys quick. Our guys understand. It goes into the recruiting process.”
For the fourth year in a row, 100 percent of the seniors will be graduating on time. The seven seniors participated in the 2017 spring commencement ceremony on May 13.
“Our guys understand they have two jobs — No. 1, go to class and graduate, and No. 2 is to be the best teammate you can be,” Trapasso said. “Everything else is noise. As I get older, I deal with noise a lot less than I used to.”
UH BASEBALL GRADUATES
Marcus Doi
Outfielder
>> Degree: Sociology
>> Favorite UH memory: “It was an honor to be a part of this team, and playing in front of all the family and friends was pretty good.”
>> Mike Trapasso: “Marcus is a special guy. If there was ever an example of somebody dealing with adversity with class, it’s Marcus. It’s no secret the injuries that he’s had and the amount of time he’s missed (more than 80 games in four years) because of those injuries throughout his career, but he’s always out there working. As frustrating as it was, it never got him to a point of giving up. He was always there ready to go. … He started out struggling a little bit (this year), and then the emergence of (Adam) Fogel and (Dylan)Vchulek and Fitchett made for a crowded outfield situation. While I’m sure there was frustration, you never saw it on the field, in the dugout, in the clubhouse. He’s a tremendous example of handling adversity with class.”
Alex Fitchett
Outfielder
>> Degree: Communicology
>> Favorite UH memory: “All of it combined, the whole two years. Playing here has been a blessing. It’s been fun. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend it at any other program in the country.”
>> Trapasso: “When I think about Alex, I think about the leadership that he’s brought to our club. He’s been very good holding guys accountable and yet you can’t overlook the tools. Those are major league tools that he has. I’m hoping he gets that opportunity (to play pro ball), and I think he will.”
Isaac Friesen
Pitcher
>> Degree: Economics
>> Favorite UH memory: “As far as aesthetic wise, it’s a great looking campus. I ride my bike all around. One of the things to do is to cruise campus. It’s so huge. You can go in any direction and find something you’ve never seen before. I’ve always found that pretty interesting.”
>> Trapasso: “Isaac pitched a little bit last year and struggled, and really did not get any opportunities this year. But he’s a special person. He leads our chapel through Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He’s a tremendous young man who is going to be successful post baseball. And while he did not get opportunities this year, he’s out there every day working as hard as a guy who throws 100 innings.”
Brendan Hornung
Pitcher
>> Degree: Sociology
>> Favorite UH memory: “Being with teammates, girlfriend, family coming out (to Hawaii from California) all the time. I don’t think anything tops just playing at the Les on a Friday night. Standing on the mound, toeing the rubber against some of the best teams in the nation. The full stadium is unlike anything else.”
>> Trapasso: “He’s one of my favorite pitchers I’ve ever coached because of his attitude and the maturity he brings every day, the work ethic that he brings. It’s rare that you have to take a pitcher out of the weight room from time to time because he almost works too hard. But for what he’s been through, he handles his business in a very professional, mature manner. (The past) Friday is a perfect example of the two years he’s had for us. The guy pitches a complete game, and loses 2-1, and I’d like to say, in two years, that’s the third game he’s lost 2-1, but you’d never know it. You look at him in the dugout during a game and you can’t tell whether he’s up by 10 runs or down by 10 runs. He’s just tremendous in his focus and his ability to keep an even keel.”
Kyle Mitchell
Pitcher
>> Degree: Economics
>> Trapasso: “Mitch has accepted his role as a situational right-hander. He’s had a good year. He’s another hard worker. He came in and gave us two good years. I’m hoping we can send him out on a good note. It’s always been situational right-handed sliders. But he’s embraced that role and had a good year with it.”
Josh Rojas
Third baseman
>> Degree: Sociology
>> Favorite UH memory: “This is an awesome place to play. I think this is a great baseball state.”
>> Trapasso: “I said from the beginning of this year and the fall, Josh was the most important player on our team because of the energy and the toughness and the passion he brought every single day, whether it’s a game or a practice, he’s all in. He’s going to compete. He made everybody around him compete and better. That’s a special trait to have. And then the icing on that cake is the fact he’s the best defensive third baseman that I’ve ever had, and he’s had a great year at the plate, as well.”
Casey Ryan
Pitcher
>> Degree: Sociology
>> Favorite UH memory: “Coming out here with the guys every day, competing with them, working hard with them, and just playing games out here in front of the amazing fans, and spending time with the boys.”
>> Trapasso: “I think Casey will get a chance to play professionally. I think Casey will get signed or drafted because of the arm. He’s really come on of late. The last month, he’s been outstanding for us. And what people don’t see — and it might surprise people — Casey Ryan is the unsung hero of our pitching staff. He is the leader of our pitching staff. He holds guys accountable to their conditioning, to their workload in the weight room. He leads by example and by vocal leadership, holding guys accountable. He’s a very influential member of a pitching staff that deserves a lot of credit.”
