There is one position in the field that is going to look drastically different than it has in recent years.
Matt LoCoco will take over for Kaeo Aliviado, who started 207 games in his four-year tenure, primarily in center field, where he roamed fearlessly and passionately.
The fan-favorite from Ewa Beach undeniably left his mark on the program, but it’s time now for LoCoco to put his own stamp on the position.
The 6-foot senior, who played two years at Santa Rosa (Calif.) Junior College, was primarily a defensive replacement late in games last season.
There shouldn’t be a drop-off defensively in center, and the speedy LoCoco will switch-hit this season for the first time as he tries to be a complete player in his last season with the ‘Bows.
“I saw what Stephen (Ventimilia) did last year, and potentially replacing him in that leadoff (spot) I want to provide that same spark like he did from both sides of the plate,” LoCoco said.
LoCoco joined the program last season and would have played more in a crowded outfield if it wasn’t for his struggles at the plate. He made enough strides in the offseason that coach Mike Trapasso could start him in the leadoff spot on opening day.
“He’s a very good baseball player and brings a lot of things to the table,” Trapasso said. “He’s got speed, tremendous defense, great base-running and he’s got a toughness and maturity about him we really like.
“He struggled with the bat last year, which is why he didn’t play a lot, but he’s caught up to the pitching in the fall and he’s been very good for us.”
LoCoco will play between Marcus Doi in left and Alan Baldwin in right to start the season.
UH was dealt a blow five days before the opener at Hawaii Hilo when right fielder Alex Fitchett dislocated his non-throwing shoulder diving for a ball in the team’s final scrimmage.
Fitchett brings a rare blend of power at 6 feet 4 and 225 pounds to go along with 6.6-type speed in the 60.
He was slated to hit cleanup in the lineup but will now be out until after the San Francisco road series at the earliest. In his place goes Baldwin, who hit .254 and stole five bases while being one of four UH hitters to homer last season.
“You can’t expect to go an entire season without someone getting hurt,” said Baldwin, who started 51 of 53 games as a junior and added six doubles and two triples. “It’s foolish to think that nobody will get hurt, but you also have to know that when something like that happens, the next guy has to be ready, and we’ll be ready.”
The player who could make a huge difference offensively is Doi, who has finally stayed healthy through the entire fall and spring after an injury-riddled first two seasons. Doi was drafted in the 25th round by the Chicago Cubs out of Mid-Pacific but elected to go to UH.
