A new chapter begins for the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, which will play Division II competition and for a championship as a member of the Pacific West Conference.

The move is a long time coming for the Vulcans, who spent the previous 15 years on the Division I level facing formidable opposition, including national powers such as Oregon State, Arizona State, Nebraska, Wichita State, and Florida State.

In his 33rd year, UHH baseball coach Joey Estrella will skipper a young but experienced ballclub through a 45-game schedule that lacks the name recognition of past opponents.

With the drop down to Division II, the Vulcans will face conference opponents Hawaii Pacific University, Grand Canyon University and Dixie State College, often in doubleheaders.

Six schools are required for a conference to be eligible for an automatic postseason berth. The PacWest is looking to add a pair of baseball-playing schools, Estrella said.

But even without the automatic bid, Estrella said that the benefit of Division II is getting recognition through the PacWest, including preseason, weekly and all-conference selections.

However, by moving to Division II, UHH loses its “Hawai‘i exemption,” which allows Division I teams to play the Vulcans without the games counting against their 56-game regular season cap.

“From that standpoint, that’s why the Rainbows aren’t playing us,” Estrella said. “It would hurt the Division I schools’ RPI ratings if they played us. I was always excited about playing the best teams in the nation and bringing in those teams with players like Alex Gordon on Nebraska and Dustin Pedroia from Arizona State (two major leaguers) for our fans to see.

“But Division II allows us to be competitive and on the same level with the teams we’re playing. I’m excited about the upcoming year.”

Estrella pointed out that this season’s schedule features tough competition, especially against the first two opponents, Biola University, an NAIA team from California; and George Fox University, a Division III team from Oregon.

Biola is ranked No. 4 in the preseason poll. The Eagles finished 35-18 last season and advanced to the NAIA tournament the last six years. George Fox won the Division III championship in 2004. The Bruins were 28-14 last season and qualified for the Division III playoffs the last three years.

The Vulcans (17-27 last year) return four starters in left fielder Ronel Trias, center fielder Keoni Manago, shortstop Thomas Brown and third baseman Shane Kessel, and two part-time starters in first baseman Matt Haasenritter and catcher Peter Rodgers.

Second baseman #T.J. Pila and right fielder Gary Jones# are new faces for a ballclub that will rely on its running ability. Pila is a transfer from Fairleigh Dickenson University in New Jersey and Jones is a transfer from Edmonds Community College in Washington.

“It’s the best overall team speed we’ve had in the last three years,” Estrella said. “Trias is definitely a speed guy. Manago, Rodgers and Kessel can run. Brown is an excellent baserunner, and another is Jones.

“We’ve got excellent baserunners and that will give us options to play the short game. I like the top of our lineup. We’ve got a lot of interchangeable parts.”

The Vulcans will count on Trias, who was an offensive terror with a .318 batting average and .420 on-base percentage, to set the table. He led the team with 38 runs scored.

“If we’re going to be successful, Trias needs to get on base,” Estrella said. “Manago’s another one. They’ll create opportunities for Brown, Jones and Haasenritter. Rodgers is another good RBI guy. But those two guys upfront have to get on if we’re going to successful.”

The pitching staff will be led by senior righthander Clayton Uyechi (1-3, 4.37 ERA) and sophomore lefthander Kekoa Lee (2-4, 6.13 ERA).

“Clayton played summer ball in California and hopefully he’ll have a breakout year,” Estrella said. “He’s got renewed confidence and things are looking good for him. Clayton has got the best fastball on the staff and Kekoa has great movement on the ball. It’s good if we can start a series with that 1-2 punch.”

Sophomore Brian Shannon (1-4, 10.54 ERA) and senior Jesse Moon (1-4, 7.78) will be in the back end of the rotation.

“Shannon came in with renewed vigor and focus,” Estrella said. “Moon, for him, was so-so and disappointing last year. But he dedicated himself and came in great shape.”

The bullpen will be able to throw teams a different look with submariner Kurtis Sherer, a junior transfer from Ohlone Community College in California.

The relief corps will also rely on righthander John Holley, Nathan Kekahuna and Sheldon Otsuka, a 2006 Waiakea High graduate and transfer from Hartnell College in California.

“I like some of the things the guys have shown in the fall,” Estrella said. “They’re bulldogs. They go after hitters. They’ll make the opposing offense swing the bat and we’ve got a solid defense.”

After posting a 173-492-4 record against Division I competition, the Vulcans are ready for a new chapter in the PacWest.

“It gives us a chance to be on a level playing field,” Estrella said. “It also gives us a change to be recognized. And best of all it give us a chance to compete for the PacWest championship. Being in Division II give us those opportunities.”