Scotty Scott’s search ended where it started.

After entering the NCAA’s transfer portal in June, Scott announced he will return to the University of Hawaii baseball team for a fourth season.

“Hawaii is where I belong, where it feels like in my heart,” said Scott, an outfielder who hit .297 and led the Rainbow Warriors with 42 runs in 2021. Scott, known for his grittiness and enthusiasm, also was hit by pitches a team-high 15 times.

Scott had been in talks with other Division I programs. But he cemented his decision to stay put after discussions with Rich Hill, who was hired as UH head coach last month.

“I love Hawaii,” Scott said. “I told a lot of people when I first left, I wanted to want to stay. And Coach Hill made that really easy for me with his aspirations and his vision for the program. I’m excited to continue being a Rainbow Warrior.”

Scott said Hill would help him develop for the 2022 Major League Baseball draft, as well as promote a “winning culture and aspire to win a national championship. Within one of my conversations with Coach Hill, he’s super excited to get after it and bring baseball to, honestly, the best fans in college baseball.”

Scott was influential in Georgia Tech pitcher Andy Archer’s decision to join the ’Bows as a graduate transfer. Archer, who developed an affinity for Hawaii during a family vacation this year, randomly decided to follow Scott’s Instagram account. Scott encouraged Archer to join UH, and Archer, in turn, tried to get Scott to remain a ’Bow. “Scotty is the man,” Archer said.

Scott and Archer will be roommates this academic year.

Scott, who will be a fourth-year junior, said he looks forward to the return of spectators to Les Murakami Stadium. This year, attendance was restricted except for the final home series, when a limited number for close friends and family members were permitted.

“When things are going well in Hawaii, and we’ve got 4,000-plus in the stands, it’s an experience like no other,” Scott said. “We want to win and dog-pile in front of those fans and give Hawaii’s people an experience. I bought in, and we’re coming back to win.”