SECOND OF 3 PARTS

Quite a few UH baseball players get thrown directly into the fire. Others might have to wait a year.

For redshirt junior Alan Baldwin, the wait has gone on for four long years, and he’s ready to finally get his shot.

"I’m always positive. I’m an optimist and I know that you just keep working and things will pay off," the Kailua High graduate said. "I’ve never lost sight of that. This is Year 4 and this is really the first time I’ve had an opportunity to contribute."

Baldwin is one of three players who will man the corner outfield spots early in the season. Freshman Jonathan Weeks and junior-college transfer Matt LoCoco will also get looks at solidifying the outfield around dependable four-year starter Kaeo Aliviado in center.

"With Baldwin, Weeks and LoCoco, those guys are athletic guys," Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said. "We have options in the outfield.

"With Alan, he’s had arm issues since he was a senior year in high school, but it seems he’s finally 100 percent and he has an above-average arm. He’s also a strong kid. He has the ability to drive balls as well."

Baldwin has the experience edge over the other two of just being in a Division I program for three years. All he has to do is look back at his first year at UH to realize how much he’s had to grow in order to get to this point.

"I have learned a lot about myself," Baldwin said. "I’ve definitely made some strides in figuring out who I am and where I’m going. I’m the most excited I’ve ever been for a season, not just for me, but for the entire team."

The three will have to produce right away to stay in the lineup. Sophomore Marcus Doi, who will be relegated to designated hitter duty early on, hopes to get healthy enough eventually to play his normal position in the outfield.

Senior Jordan Richartz, who had labrum surgery after a disappointing junior year, will also be given a shot once he’s able to make the necessary throws.

Richartz was the leading hitter in junior college in Washington state two years ago and got off to a good start last year, hitting .308 heading into the Nevada series.

He did it as the team’s designated hitter with a shoulder injury that would require surgery after the season. When Doi got hurt and UH tried to DH him without playing in the field, Richartz gave it a shot in left field, but his shoulder wasn’t able to handle the deep throws.

His first throw in from the outfield barely reached the infield and he was never the same offensively, dropping 71 points off his average the rest of the season.

"When they’re ready, we’ll really be able to go a little more offensive or a little more defensive based on the situation," Trapasso said. "It will help us."

Richartz’s decline midseason was the complete opposite of Aliviado, who after hitting .239 and .238 his first two years, saw his average climb all the way to .310 as a junior.

Like Doi, Aliviado had at least one hit in each game in the Oregon series. As UH’s struggles climaxed during the middle of Big West play, Aliviado managed to avoid any letdown and closed the year with hits in his final five games to lead the team in batting.

"He’s capable of being the best center fielder in our league," Trapasso said. "All I want from Kaeo is to not try to do more than he’s capable of doing. If he stays within himself and drives the ball to all fields like he did last year, like he did all fall and all spring, you’re going to see a guy who is going to have a great year."

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