One thing apparent from Saturday’s alumni game is a middle-of-the-lineup presence Hawaii has lacked in recent years.
Alex Fitchett, a 6-foot-4 transfer from Cosumnes River College, showed off all the tools at Les Murakami Stadium, throwing out a runner at third from right field and belting a three-run homer in an 11-1 win.
Fitchett, who hit cleanup, drew two walks before connecting on a moon shot over the wall in left-center for the decisive blow.
“What he brings to our lineup is what we saw today,” Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said. “There’s a lot of swing and miss that we’re working on, but he gives you that threat in the middle of the lineup to drive the ball and drive in runs.”
Listed at 220 pounds, Fitchett also can run 60 yards in 6.6 seconds and stole two bases. He also showed off an arm in right field, throwing out Austin Wobrock tagging up from second.
“I’m more of a defensive guy and I liked throwing (Wobrock) out,” Fitchett said. “Going deep is always nice, especially when the swing is coming together and you see it work right there.”
Fitchett and second baseman Josh Rojas were the only newcomers in Hawaii’s starting lineup.
Matt LoCoco hit leadoff playing in center field as the replacement for four-year starter Kaeo Aliviado.
Junior Brendan Hornung, who will start the opener Saturday at Hawaii Hilo, allowed one hit in seven innings with one walk and eight strikeouts, but said he struggled with his pitches.
“My fastball wasn’t zipping like it usually is and I just got by,” Hornung said. “I didn’t get the changeup going until I was about halfway through (the game) and I only threw a couple of changeups.”
Trapasso said both Hornung and reliever Casey Ryan didn’t throw the ball as well as they have in practice.
“That’s as bad as we’ve seen (Hornung),” Trapasso said. “We’ve seen him with better velocity and command his secondary pitches to the point where it’s why he will start (the opener).
“That was disappointing for him because he didn’t throw it anywhere close to what we’ve been watching all along.”
Johnny Weeks, who will be UH’s everyday starting third baseman with J.J. Kitaoka quitting the team recently, went 2-for-4 with a two-run double, and rarely used backup catcher David Noworyta added a two-run single late.
Josh Slaats scored the only run for the alumni with a two-out single through the left side of the infield in the eighth inning.