Sharks earn highest PacWest baseball preseason ranking since 2012

Hawai‘i Pacific University enters the 2026 baseball season with its highest PacWest preseason ranking in more than a decade, as the Sharks were picked to finish third in the conference and received a first-place vote in the league’s annual coaches poll.

HPU, coming off a 32-22 season that included a run to the PacWest championship game, opens the season Friday afternoon against Cal State Los Angeles at Hans L’Orange Park.

Now in his fifth season at the helm, coach Dane Fujinaka has guided the Sharks into national consideration as well. HPU also received votes in the American Baseball Coaches Association NCAA Division II Top 25 Preseason Coaches Poll.

“Good vibes honestly,” said redshirt sophomore Kan Taguchi. “Everybody is really amped up getting ready for season. Just the usual good vibes that we have before games.”

Taguchi earned PacWest Second Team honors in 2025 after batting .435 as the team’s designated hitter.

Point Loma, who HPU eliminated in last season’s conference tournament, was picked to win the PacWest, while reigning champion Westmont was projected second despite earning more first-place votes than Point Loma, seven to four.

“I think we’re ready,” said sophomore utility player Jayden Gabrillo. “We worked this whole fall really hard and I think the team is ready to go.”

Gabrillo logged 52.2 innings on the mound last season while also seeing time as a middle infielder.

The Sharks will rely on veteran leadership in the lineup following the graduation of PacWest First Team outfielders Noah Blythe, the conference Player of the Year, and Bronson Rivera. Senior centerfielder Noah Hata returns as a key presence, while sophomore Tyler Arnold anchors the infield after hitting 16 home runs and earning PacWest First Team honors at third base as a true freshman.

Centerfielder Noah Hata is one of the veterans on this year’s HPU squad. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

On the mound, HPU returns Jacob Vanek, who threw 42.2 innings last season, and Cristian Padilla, who posted a 3.09 ERA over 23.1 innings.

Friday’s opener also presents a milestone opportunity for Fujinaka, who enters the season with 99 career victories. The coach, however, said the focus remains unchanged.

“Every game is the same,” Fujinaka said. “At the end of the day, we’re trying to win and get one win against Cal State LA. I’m not really thinking about it being my 100th win. We’re thinking about winning one pitch at a time, one game at a time.”

First pitch is slated for 1:00 p.m. (HST). The Sharks’ season-opener will also be broadcasted on 95.1 FM / AM 760.