One of the greatest things about baseball, from Little League to the Major Leagues, is that hope springs anew each January prior to the start of a new season.

That is certainly true for the University of Hawai`i Hilo program, which opens its 2018 season February 1-3 with a four-game home series with Augustana (South Dakota).

For starters, the Augustana series and the following four-game slate with visiting Saint Martin's (Feb. 11-13), gives head coach Kallen Miyataki pre-season games prior to the start of the Pacific West Conference schedule, for the first time in many years.

Additionally, after playing only 20 games at home at Wong Stadium a year ago, this year the Vulcans have 32 contests scheduled in Hilo. "That is huge for us," Miyataki said. "Having games under our belt before jumping into the PacWest puts us on an even playing field with the competition. It gives us a chance to play deep into our roster and play some folks at different positions."

One position that Miyataki does not have to experiment with is first base—one of the other main reasons for spring optimism.

Anchored at that infield corner is senior Phillip Steering, who as a junior put together one of the prolific offensive seasons in UH Hilo's long baseball history. The 6-1, 220-pounder hit .421 to lead the PacWest, which is also the second highest batting average in school history. His on-base percentage was .537, which is a UHH school record and ranked third in the NCAA. He hit eleven doubles, two triples and six homes, vaulting his slugging percentage to .683, another Vulcan school record.

"Coaching a guy like Phillip, well, that's one of the reasons we are in this profession," Miyataki said. "His work ethic is unbelievable. He has made himself into a very good hitter. He hit .224 as a freshman, .327 as a sophomore and then as a junior became the best hitter in the conference, in a league where there are a lot of guys who can really swing it.

"He is also an academic All-American," his coach continued. "He is a great role model for the rest of our guys, who see the work ethic that he brings to the field and classroom each day."

Miyataki also welcomes back all three outfield starters from 2017 in Jonathan Segovia, Dylan Sugimoto and Kyle Yamada. Segovia, a senior, hit .298, the second highest total on the team behind Steering. Junior Sugimoto hit .261 and stole nine bases, while fellow junior Yamada hit .244 with an on-base percentage of .377.

Junior Marcus Calamese adds experience in the outfield, and freshman Chris Aubort will challenge for playing time as well.

Edison Sakata, a three-year starter who red-shirted last season, is back at shortstop. He has started 115 games in his Vulcan career and provides tremendous defensive stability up the middle. Freshman newcomer Gavin Palagonia backs him up.

Miyataki will be looking for a mix of returnees and newcomers to fill the other infield spots. Gone is Cole Nagamine, Jacob Grijalva (team leading 26 RBI), Byron Freitas, and Austin Forney (will red-shirt). Mana Manago, who started eight games last year at second base, is the early front-runner for that spot. RJ Romo, a transfer from Rio Hondo College (Calif.) looks to be the third baseman with freshman Jaryn Kanbara behind him. Reese Kato is back, playing either middle infield position, and senior transfer Kila Zuttermeister (Bryan College) can literally play anywhere in the infield or outfield, bringing speed to the line-up.

Edwin Stanberry played behind the plate in 11 of UH Hilo's games last year. Kamalu Neal (red-shirt in '17) will see time behind the dish, as might Kanbara and freshman Travis Burleson. Designated hitter prospects include returnee Micah Carter and Compton College transfer Adrian Poot. Theron Shigematsu could also get time there, and is Steering's back-up at first base.

"I think we are a lot deeper this year," Miyataki predicted. "We have some talented young kids who are continuing to develop and adjusting to our philosophy."

On the mound, the Vulcans lost Eric Vega to graduation but return most of the rest of the rotation and bullpen.

Dylan Spain, a 6-6 sophomore, will be the opening day starter. He started ten games last year as a true freshman, throwing two complete games, including a seven-inning shutout of Academy of Art.

"Dylan has established himself," Miyataki said. "He has the potential to be one of the top pitchers in the PacWest. He still is young in terms of pitching experience. He only threw nine total innings in high school, so he is still learning."

Freshman left-hander Kyle Alcorn (Lakewood, Calif.) could be the second pitcher in the rotation, and 6-5 sophomore Brandyn Lee-Lehano (Kamehameha Hawai`i) will begin the year at No. 3. Lee-Lahano had eight appearances a year ago. "We will see who steps up after that," Miyataki assessed.

Veteran Thomas Warren is on that list, along with back-up catcher Burleson. Others that will see mound time either as a starter or in relief include returnees Drew Ichikawa, Deric Valoroso (two saves in '17), Devon Elson, Cole Nakachi, Morgan West, Kekai Mahiko, Nicholas Asuncion and John Kea (red-shirt last year).

"We will play a lot of guys," Miyataki predicted. "It keeps everyone involved. Guys will get a chance to prove themselves. We have a real good mix this year, a diverse group. The players that we are bringing in each year are better and better. Our talent level is going up and we are bringing in good students as well."

The Vulcans will have 30 players on the roster and eight additional red-shirts. Two of those sitting out this season are seniors—Forney and Mikey Rita (standout at Bryan and Feather River Colleges). Simpson transfer Miguel Valadez (sophomore) will also red-shirt this season, as will freshmen Joshua Argarin (Sylmar, Calif.), Jamieson Hirayama (Hilo/Waiakea HS), Brett Komatsu (Hilo HS), Jaron Sugimoto (Waipahu) and his prep teammate Kobie Russell, a 17^th round draft choice of the Toronto Blue Jays.

In the Pacific West Conference, the Vulcans will have their work cut out for them, playing in one of the toughest baseball leagues in the country. Three of the top five teams in the NCAA West Region pre-season poll are from the PacWest—Azusa Pacific (2), Dixie State (3) and California Baptist (5).

"We are getting closer to be competitive day in and out with those teams," Miyataki said. "But for me, winning is defined by working hard to get better each day. Our coaching staff teaches that our competition is with ourselves, trying to become a better person and better player each day."

Miyataki's teams participate in a minimum of ten community service events each year, in addition to providing free baseball clinics in the area. That includes work with the Special Olympics and war veterans, both here and on the mainland.

"It's not easy, the time and commitment it takes to be a Vulcan baseball player," Miyataki explained. "But we do things that help our student-athletes grow in ways that they couldn't otherwise. These things are very important to me. That defines winning, in my mind.
We try to teach that it is an honor to represent UH Hilo in all that we do."

The Vulcans will represent Hilo at Wong Stadium for their first 20 games of the season, including their PacWest opener on March 1 against conference newcomer Biola.

"We will work hard, and put on a good show for our community," Miyataki added. "Playing at home, we have a great opportunity to build our fan base and get in a good baseball groove early."