On the mend

Scott Squier is tired of playing the waiting game.

So he’s decided to speed things up. The University of Hawaii junior, who came to Manoa with big expectations after turning down a pro offer from the Detroit Tigers who drafted him in the 21st round out of high school, has yet to fully realize his enormous potential.

Now in his third season, the 6-foot-5 left-hander has what can be best described as a "shot clock" when he pitches to try to speed up his tempo.

He has seven seconds from the time he gets the ball back from the catcher to deliver his next pitch.

"We’re trying to be quicker between pitches to try and develop a little rhythm on the mound," Squier said. "I’ve liked it so far. It really helps keep our defense into the game."

Squier’s always been a tough guy to hit against from his very first game as a Rainbow. He’s given up fewer hits (110) than innings pitched (1191⁄3) and sports a solid 3.47 career ERA with 101 strikeouts.

His record is only 3-10 after an 0-6 sophomore season, due somewhat to 48 walks and 27 hit batters.

In his 22 career starts, Squier has lasted into the sixth inning just eight times.

"I think one of the reasons he’s been inconsistent with his command is he’s worked so slow and his focus tends to drift," Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said. "I think the change has given him a more aggressive mind-set and he’s been outstanding since the first day he stepped back on campus in August."

It was an extra long summer away from the team for Squier, who was suspended for the final month of the season for a violation of team rules.

"I’ve had to mature a lot as a pitcher and as a person and that has all to do with (Coach) Trap and everything that he’s taught me from when I first came (here)," Squier said. "That was a huge reality check for me. I didn’t like being away from the team."

By the time the season ended, Hawaii was without four of its top pitchers — Squier, juniors Jarrett Arakawa and Andrew Jones and freshman Quintin Torres-Costa.

Arakawa had major shoulder surgery but is back in time to start this weekend against Oregon. Jones is expected back some time next month with Torres-Costa aiming for an April return as both recover from Tommy John surgery.

Unlike last year, when UH seemingly lost pitchers on a weekly basis, the hope this season is that the rotation will get stronger as the weeks go on with the return of some talented arms.

"We think that’s how it could play out and that’s what our expectation is," Trapasso said. "Obviously those guys that are on the mend that aren’t quite back need to get back and be good but knock on wood, every indication is that they are on their schedule with their rehab and that’s a comforting thought to know that these guys that we will be adding are pretty talented guys."

Arakawa, the team’s ace two years ago, had to pass one final hurdle last Sunday, but threw well, and said he felt no pain the next day.

He’ll pitch Saturday for the first time since the 2012 WAC tournament.

"I barely remember it," Arakawa said. "It feels like forever. It’s probably been one of the tougher things I’ve ever had to overcome sports-wise in my career. It’s a grind, every day doing something. It’s a lot of work. I’m pumped to get back out there though."

Matt Cooper, Arakawa, Squier, and senior Scott Kuzminsky, who has been one of the biggest surprises of the offseason, will have to pitch extensively early in the year.

Outside of that group and junior Lawrence Chew, who will miss the entire season after he has Tommy John surgery later this month, UH doesn’t have anyone else who has thrown a single pitch in a UH uniform.

Trapasso brought in eight new pitchers this season with juniors Eric Gleese and Jordan DePonte and freshman Gordon Cardenas likely to get the first looks.

"They’ll have a great opportunity to get their feet wet against some great competition," Trapasso said. "Those three in particular are going to be asked to get some important outs out of the bullpen for us."

STARTING PITCHERS

RELIEF PITCHERS

STRENGTHS
UH’s starting rotation has depth. Jarrett Arakawa, Andrew Jones and Quintin Torres-Costa are all coming back from injury. By season’s end, the team will have a bevy of quality starters.

WEAKNESSES
The loss of Lawrence Chew and the inability for Jones and Torres-Costa to start the year healthy means a lot of inexperience out of the bullpen early.