The University of Hawaii baseball team will offer a preview with a game against its past.
“We’re going to put the real uniform on and play against somebody other than our regular practice, which our guys are probably tired of and ready to do something different,” UH coach Mike Trapasso said of today’s exhibition against the alumni at Les Murakami Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. There is no admission charge.
Because the exhibition is on the same day as what would be a regular practice, Trapasso said, “the goal, more than anything else, is to get another day of work in. And come out of it healthy.”
UH BASEBALL
>> Hawaii vs. Alumni
>> 1 p.m. at Les Murakami Stadium
Right-hander Jackson Rees will start for the Rainbow Warriors. Rees also will be on the mound for the Feb. 16 season opener, the first of four games against Air Force.
The target is for Rees to throw between 90 and 95 pitches against the alumni, equating to about six or seven innings. Matt Richardson, Jeremy Yelland and Brody Hagel-Pitt would be the scheduled relievers. Dylan Thomas, who was 9-for-9 in save situations last season, also will be available.
Rees earned the rotation’s No. 1 spot because of his perceived blind-date ability to pitch to first-time opponents without the benefit of a comprehensive scouting report. Rees’ fastball has increased to 93 mph, and a new motion — from over-the-top to three-quarters — has added bite and accuracy to his power sinker and cut slider.
The ’Bows will debut a refurbished infield of Ethan Lopez at third, Maaki Yamazaki at shortstop and Dustin Demeter at second. Lopez was a corner outfielder last year. Yamazaki’s range and sure glove opened the way for Demter to move from short to second. Johnny Weeks, last year’s second baseman, has played well in left field this training camp. Catcher Kekai Rios also will be used at third to ease his workload behind the plate, particularly during four-game series in the first third of the season. The Big West Conference plays three-game series.
Tickets available for UH baseball fundraiser
Although the tables have been sold, there are tickets available for Sunday’s Baseball Grand Slam Celebration at the Stan Sheriff Center.
The event, which begins at 5:30 p.m., benefits the UH baseball program.
There will be live and silent auctions, entertainment by Imua, and dishes and refreshments from several restaurants and distributors.
Individual tickets are $100 each. For details, call 956-6247 or email baseball@hawaii.edu.
