2 players injured against St. Mary's

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Infielder Keoni DeRenne (11) trots to the dugout after rounding home plate against St. Mary's Friday. DeRenne and the rest of the team travel to Hawaii for a weekend series against the University of Hawaii.

It seemed likely that he may have re-injured the elbow that kept him out of the second half of last season and all of fall practice, but after further review of the injury, the doctors said it was probably a less serious elbow strain.

Shabansky is scheduled for an MRI today and will most likely not make the trip to Hawaii-Hilo this weekend.

"Naturally we're all concerned. It is a nervous time for all of us," associate head coach Bill Kinneberg said. "He has put so much work into this to get healthy, but it is more optimistic than all of us had dreamed."

Junior Mike Crawford will most likely get the start in place of Shabansky this Thursday at Hilo.

Also suffering a small injury this weekend was junior outfielder Rafell Jones, who was hit in the mouth by St. Mary's junior pitcher Tim Podesta on Friday.

Jones returned to action Saturday with stitches that are scheduled to be removed today, which happens to be his birthday.

Keoni DeRenne happy to go

home for series in Hawaii

The weekend series in Hawaii will mark the first return home in a Wildcat uniform for sophomore shortstop Keoni DeRenne.

DeRenne, who hails from Honolulu, said he is looking forward to going home and playing in front of his family and friends.

"To go back, being from Hawaii, there is a lot of pride and aloha spirit. When you live there you understand what is going on," he said. "Anyone from Hawaii that goes to the mainland to play for a top Division I program loves to go home and play in front of his family and friends."

As for head coach Jerry Stitt, he is just hoping that DeRenne doesn't get too excited.

"He'll have a big fan club there and I know he is excited about it, but I hope he doesn't try to do too much. I just hope he plays like Keoni because he is our leader," he said.

Dan Rosen can be reached at Dan.Rosen@wildcat.arizona.edu.