Trapasso Wins Coach of the Year Honors

By Fred Guzman

The University of Hawaii’s Mike Trapasso was named Western Athletic Conference coach of the Year and two of his players – junior second baseman Kolten Wong and junior designated hitter Zack Swasey – were named to the all-WAC first team.

Two other Rainbows were named to the second team: senior first baseman Jeff Van Doornum and junior reliever Lenny Linsky.

Trapasso won the award for the third time in his 10 years as head coach. He guided the Rainbows to a 32-23 overall record and 17-7 mark in league play, helping Hawaii earn a share of the regular-season WAC title for the first time since 1992.

Wong was named to the first team for the third time in as many years. He’s batting .375 with 10 doubles, three triples,  six homers, 49 RBI and a WAC-best 22 steals.  He also averaged more than a walk per league game, taking 26 of those in 24 WAC outings.

Swasey, in his first season with the Rainbows, made the first team by hitting .320 with 12 doubles, 41 RBI and 11 steals

Van Doornum bolstered his game during WAC play. In conference play, he is batted .369 with 10 doubles, two homrs, and a team-high 26 RBI. This is his second all-WAC selection.

Linsky has been one of the conference’s top closers, leading the WAC with 12 saves. In 25 appearances, he boasts a 1.39 ERA with 31 strikeouts and is holding opposing batters to just .195.