Rainbows get pitching commit

The University of Hawaii baseball team secured a verbal commitment from 6-foot-6 right-hander Nick Carmichael from Palomar (Calif.) College.

Whether he ever wears a UH uniform is still up in the air.

Carmichael was selected in the 17th round of this year’s MLB draft by the Baltimore Orioles and joins UH signees Brett Harrison (18th round) and left-hander Scott Squier (21st round) as recruits who could still elect to turn pro.

The Rancho Bernardo (Calif.) High School graduate was 4-1 with a 2.51 ERA and four saves for the Comets this season as a redshirt freshman. He was selected to the All-Pacific Coast Alliance Conference team as a closer.

Lenny Linsky, who served as UH’s closer for the past two seasons, was selected in the second round of this year’s draft by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Carmichael was picked one spot ahead of another UH recruit, Nic Cuckovich, who ended up signing with the Kansas City Royals.

All players have until Aug. 15 to sign with their respective pro clubs.

Moore chases world title in Biarritz

Hawaii surfer Carissa Moore placed second in her heat to open the Roxy Pro Biarritz in France on Tuesday.

Moore posted a score of 7.95 in the heat. Lee Ann Curren of France, won the heat at 8.75 and advanced to the third round. Hawaii’s Melanie Bartels was third with 1.75. Hawaii’s Alana Blanchard also placed third in her heat behind Silvana Lima of Brazil and Pauline Ado of France.

Moore, who tops the Association of Surfing Professionals world women’s rankings, moves on to the second round and can clinch the ASP world title if she wins the event. Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons is Moore’s closest competitor for the crown.

Hawaii paddlers make national team

Pat and Ryan Dolan of Kailua have been named to the U.S. Senior Sprint World Championships team by USA Canoe/Kayak.

Luke and Jake Michael, originally from Australia but now based in Hawaii, also made the U.S. roster.

The team will compete at the world championships in Szeged, Hungary, Aug. 17-21.

Grand Illusion leads Transpac

Waikiki Yacht Club’s Grand Illusion continued to run first overall in the Transpacific Yacht Race with about 1,200 miles to go to the finish.

Alchemy was second in the Sleds division behind Grand Illusion as of Tuesday’s report as the fleet dealt with lighter winds.

Hap Fauth’s Bella Mente moved ahead in Division I. Jorge Ripstein’s Patches led Division 2, followed by Criminal Mischief and Katana. Bad Pak was ahead in Division 4 and Simon Garland’s Peregrine led Division 6. Horizon led the SC50 competitors.

UH volleyball camp coming up

Applications are still being taken for Rainbow Wahine Volleyball Camp 2, which runs Friday to Monday at the University of Hawaii.

The camp is open to girls and boys in grades 4-12. It goes from 1 to 5 p.m. each day and costs $160.

It is led by UH head coach Dave Shoji and his staff, with current and former players also helping. Programs are designed for all skill levels.

The final camps of the 31st annual series are July 19-22 and 25-28 and Aug. 1-4.

For more information, contact associate coach Kari Ambrozich at kbanders@hawaii.edu or 956-2496

Ricketts shines in Canadian Open

University of Hawaii pitcher Stephanie Ricketts earned a win and drove in two runs in the California A’s 8-0 win over Renegades Elite in the Canadian Open Fastpitch International Championship on Tuesday in Surrey, British Columbia.

Ricketts started for the A’s and struck out five over three innings. She had an RBI double in the bottom of the first and added an RBI single in the third.

In the international division, former UH standout Stacey Porter drove in five runs in Australia’s 10-1 win over Venezuela. Porter had a sacrifice fly in the first inning and a grand slam in the second.

The tournament runs through Sunday.