HONOLULU - Rainbow Wahine head coach
Bob Coolen announced the signing of one more recruit for the 2007 season. Traci Yoshikawa, a 5-4 shortstop/catcher from Honolulu has signed a letter of intent to become the newest member of the Rainbow Wahine softball team.
Yoshikawa helped lead her Moanalua High School team to the 2006 HHSAA semifinal game. She was named to the OIA East all-star first team and made honorable mention all-state as a shortstop. She was also named the school's softball scholar athlete and most outstanding athlete in 2005.
A smooth, powerful bat along with quick hands and a strong arm is what caught the eye of Coolen. She is quiet and unassuming, but plays and works hard and will be a welcome addition to the 2007 Rainbow Wahine. Yoshikawa will be given an opportunity to play at short, but with the departure of senior catcher Kristi Yoshizawa, she will most likely battle for time behind the plate along with current Rainbow Wahine Kaulana Gould and Stacey Yamada along with incoming freshman Kanani Warren.
The signing of Yoshikawa represents the fifth athlete to commit to Hawai`i. Already signing in November were Warren (catcher, 5-6, West Covina, CA); MaliaNoelle Kinauleialoha Moore (second base/outfield, 5-6, Fairfield, CA); Amanda Taualii (first base, 5-6, Torrance, CA); and Shanna Vierra (outfield, 5-3, Pearl City, Oahu).
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