The UH-Hilo baseball team has made a nice progression since coach Kallen Miyataki took over in 2014, grabbed the steering wheel, and did a 180-degree turn to change the long losing culture.
In 2019, Miyataki produced his break-through season when he coached the Vulcans to a 26-19 record, snapping an NCAA record 26-year losing streak that covered the NAIA, Division I and II levels.
Last season, the Vulcans qualified for the PacWest automatic qualifier pod series, lost to No. 17 Azusa Pacific for a spot in the NCAA Division II West Regional, and finished with a 14-15 record.
It was UHH’s first trip to the postseason since 1989 when the Vulcans appeared in the NAIA World Series under former coach Joey Estrella.
The Vulcans were picked to finish sixth in the PacWest preseason poll, behind No. 1 Azusa Pacific, followed by No. 2 Concordia, No. 3 Biola, No. 4 Point Loma, and No. 5 Fresno Pacific.
“I expected that because we only played HPU,” Miyataki said. “We’re pretty balanced. We’re waiting on the NCAA to rule on Lucas Sakay. We don’t know on that.”
The Vulcans open against San Diego Christian at 6 p.m. Friday at Wong Stadium to start a five-game series.
Sakay, who’s from Brazil, was a 2020 starter but didn’t play last season. His third base job was occupied by Trey Yukumoto (.330 batting average, .774 OPS), who graduated.
No Vulcans were named to the PacWest preseason team. They return one PacWest second-team member in senior left-hander Kyle Alcorn (3-3, 3.82 ERA, 35 1/3 innings).
The team returns a host of starters, including senior closer John Kea (2-0, 5.51 ERA, five saves), junior shortstop Casey Yamauchi (.375, .879 OPS), sophomore outfielder Bradyn Yoshida (.315, .740), senior outfielder Mason Campbell (.227, .696), senior outfielder Chris Aubort (.286, .836, three homers, 15 RBIs), senior catcher Jaryn Kanbara (.226, .588), and junior first baseman Kobie Russell (.224, .620).
The undersized Yamauchi (5 feet 9, 160 pounds) does it all for the offense as the leadoff hitter. He sets the table and clears the dishes. The 2019 Waiakea graduate gets on base (.441 clip), steals bases (12 of 13), battles at the plate (nine walks, four strikeouts in 112 at-bats), and drives in runs (team-high 21 RBIs).
One player who has made a vast improvement is senior center fielder Brett Komatsu, a 2016 Hilo High graduate. He’s slated to take over for Rustin Ho, who graduated.
“He’s ready to step up,” Miyataki said. “He came back more mature, a little stronger. His maturity is the biggest difference.”
One obvious difference between UHH and the two other teams, Azusa Pacific and Academy of Art, was power-hitting in the PacWest AQ series, where the Vulcans finished 1-3 at Azusa, Calif. The Cougars and Urban Knights out-homered the Vulcans, 9-3, changing momentum with one swing of the bat.
The Vulcans graduated their best pitcher in Brandyn Lee-Lehano (3-3, 4.81 ERA, two saves, 34 1/3 innings) but compensated with the transfer of Hawaii Pacific’s Joe Gallagher (.217, .655, three homers, 15 RBIs).
The graduate student transfer’s plate discipline (26 strikeouts, four walks in 83 at-bats) is not overly appealing, but his size (6-4, 225 pounds) and ability to hit the long ball definitely is.
The PacWest preseason pitcher of the year is Azusa Pacific junior left-hander A.J. Woodall (8-1, 1.10 ERA, 70 2/3 innings). Bear in mind that the air is far less dense on the mainland than Hawaii. The player of the year is Cougar junior catcher Aaron Roose (.357, 1.137 OPS, 12 homers, 44 RBIs in 143 at-bats).
UHH’s other power bat is Aubort, who’s a left-handed slugger. Fortunately for the Vulcans, Gallagher is a right-handed masher. Maybe he’s an ideal matchup against Woodall if the Vulcans face the crafty southpaw again.
“Adding Gallagher really helps us. Losing Trey is big, but Gallagher is a bigger third baseman and his power is a plus for us,” Miyataki said. “He was in the transfer portal, and I said, ‘Why not?’ He’s the guy who hurt us. In two games, he took it out of the park and hurt us.
“Aubort was our guy last year who did a lot of damage. Gallagher will help Aubort, Jaryn, and Kobie. If we can get things going right around that area, it’ll be a fun year. Jensen (Sato) and Yuks (Garret Yukumoto) have been doing a wonderful job working with those kids.”
Aubort (6-3, 220 pounds) is as big as Gallagher. They each hit three homers last year, so maybe they can arm wrestle for the title of strongest Vulcan.
Ryan Cho, a sophomore first baseman, is also back after battling a wrist injury last year. In just 14 at-bats, he hit .286 but had an .804 OPS, getting on base and slugging the ball.
Eric Peterson, a junior second baseman, opted out last season and will start against San Diego Christian on Friday.
One of UHH’s top recruits is freshman shortstop Josh Fuentes, who graduated from the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School.
“He’s not ready yet, but he’s chasing Casey,” Miyataki said. “He’s got an arm and throws it 87 mph across the diamond.”
The pitching staff will be pretty deep with the return of sophomore left-handers Aaron Davies (0-0, 1.39 ERA, 23 2/3 innings) and Jacob Liberta (0-2, 7.84 ERA, 10 1/3 innings), sophomore right-hander Christian DeJesus (1-4, 4.81 ERA, 24 1/3 innings), and senior right-hander Takashi Umino (1-0, 1.33 ERA, 38 innings).
Barron Holtz, a junior transfer from North Dakota State, will deepen the bullpen. He’s a 6-1, 195-pound right-hander.
But the local kid who made the biggest jump in the arms department is sophomore right-hander Cody Hirata (0-1, 7.27 ERA, 8 2/3 innings).
“When he came to us, he was 79-80 mph,” Miyataki said. “Now, he’s 86-87 mph. He’ll make a big impact for us.”
After a five-game series with Minnesota Crookston, then the fun begins with PacWest play. On deck is HPU for a five-game series.
UHH has gained approval to allow 750 fans at games, provided they are masked and vaccinated.
“Everyone is excited. We don’t know how the COVID will pan out. But it’s great right now,” Miyataki said. “Our team is better balanced, and it should be fun.”
