Hawaii Pacific Fall Report: Hungry Sharks Hunting for Hardware

In the picturesque setting of Waipahu, Hawai'i, the Hawaii Pacific Sharks are quietly building a powerhouse. Under the guidance of Head Coach Dane Fujinaka, now entering his fifth season, the program has undergone a significant transformation. Coming off a 32-22 campaign in 2025, which included a 28-16 mark in conference play good for a tie for third place, the Sharks have now posted back-to-back 30+ win seasons for the first time in over a decade.

The 2025 season was historic for Hawaii Pacific, marking their second best season since joining the PacWest in 2009 and securing back-to-back PacWest Tournament appearances. While the fall season was marred by injuries to key players, it provided a silver lining: depth development. "Fall went well," Fujinaka noted. "Learned we have a lot of depth especially on the position player side... 1-9 we have more depth." With a roster returning 45.4% of its offensive production and a defense expected to be elite, the Sharks are poised to challenge for the conference crown.

The Offense

Despite the departure of D2 Baseball First Team All-American Noah Blythe and ABCA First Team All-West Region selection Bronson Rivera, the Sharks retain a terrifying core. The lineup is anchored by designated hitter Kan Taguchi, who is coming off a sensational campaign. In 147 at-bats, Taguchi slashed a blistering .435/.491/.565, driving in 33 runs and tallying 64 hits. His .435 batting average ranked him first in the conference, earning him 2nd-Team All-PacWest honors.

Providing the power in the middle of the order is third baseman Tyler Arnold. A 1st-Team All-PacWest selection, Arnold was a force in 2025, hitting .343 with 16 home runs and 54 RBI in 201 at-bats. His ability to drive the ball is elite, ranking fourth in the conference in home runs and sixth in RBI. Coach Fujinaka describes him as "poised to anchor the infield with his power and improved defensive range".

Joining them is senior outfielder Noah Hata, a consistent presence who has started 129 games over his first three seasons. Known as "Nunu," Hata hit .341 with an on-base percentage of .456 in 129 at-bats last season. He provides invaluable leadership and is described as "one of the most dynamic outfielders in the PacWest".

The offense will be bolstered by an influx of transfer talent. Brayden Murua, a transfer from Cosumnes River College, hit .307 with 11 extra-base hits in 101 at-bats last season. He is joined by his junior college teammate Chase Christenson, nicknamed "PopTart," who slashed .306 over two seasons and brings MVP pedigree from his high school days. At first base, keep an eye on Christian Perez, a D1 transfer from Sacramento State who previously slashed .350/.413/.656 with 25 extra-base hits at New Mexico State in 2023.

The Pitching Staff

On the mound, the Sharks return 30.7% of their innings from 2025, led by a mix of veteran savvy and rising talent. Senior Cristian Padilla returns after a dominant 2025 where he posted a 3.09 ERA over 23.1 innings, striking out 20 batters. He is expected to handle high-leverage relief situations.

Looking to cement a spot at the top of the rotation is sophomore Jayden Gabrillo. In 52.2 innings of work last year, Gabrillo struck out 42 batters and held opponents to a 5.64 ERA. Fujinaka views him as a "rising ace candidate with advanced command and strikeout ability". Senior Jacob Vanek also returns to provide stability; despite a higher ERA of 8.08 in 42.1 innings, his versatility as a long reliever is crucial for the staff's depth.

The pitching staff sees major reinforcements with high-pedigree newcomers. Valor Castroll, a transfer from Moorpark College, brings a track record of success, having gone 7-5 with a 3.30 ERA in 109 innings at the JUCO level. He is expected to slot in near the top of the rotation. International flare arrives with freshman Flynn Warren, a New Zealand native who has represented his country on both the U18 and U23 National Teams. Additionally, Gavin Pacheco, a transfer from D1 San Francisco, adds experience after making nine appearances over two seasons at the Division I level.

Notable Departures

The Sharks bid farewell to a decorated senior class. Noah Blythe leaves as a PacWest Player of the Year and First Team All-American, while Bronson Rivera departs after an ABCA First Team All-West Region season where he hit .377 with 19 home runs. The infield also loses Skyler Agnew, a Second Team All-PacWest selection who hit .351 with 10 doubles last year, and utility man Daniel Johnson, another Second Team All-PacWest honoree.

On the pitching side, Ryan Inouye departs, a highly reliable back-end reliever who threw 84.1 career innings with a 3.20 ERA with the Sharks over three seasons. He also is the career record holder in the program with 20 saves.

Schedule & Outlook

Hawaii Pacific opens their 2026 campaign at home in Waipahu against CSU LA on January 30th. The Golden Eagles are coming off a 26-25 season where they made a CCAA Tournament appearance.

The non-conference slate ramps up quickly with a massive road test in mid-February against Point Loma. The Sea Lions finished 2025 with a 39-18 record and a West Regional Appearance, making this an early measuring stick for the Sharks.

Conference play will see critical matchups, none bigger than the series against Westmont beginning March 13th. Westmont is the reigning PacWest Champion, having gone 43-14 last season and hosting the West Regional. Late in the season, the Sharks travel to Biola (26-27 record, PacWest Tournament appearance) in April, a series that could have significant postseason implications.

With a reloaded roster, elite defensive expectations, and a lineup that blends proven PacWest production with exciting transfer power, Hawaii Pacific is not just looking to return to the postseason, they are hunting for a championship. If you value this in-depth, non-paywalled coverage of D2 Baseball, please consider supporting our independent reporting efforts. Your contribution helps us continue providing free access to all our articles without relying on restrictive paywalls. To support our work, please visit our Patreon page: patreon.com/diviibaseball