‘Bows lose OF Fitchett to shoulder injury

Hawaii junior outfielder Alex Fitchett will miss at least the first three weeks of the season with a dislocated shoulder suffered Monday night.

Fitchett, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound junior from Cosumnes River College, was slotted to start opening day on Saturday at UH-Hilo in right field while batting cleanup.

Fitchett said he hurt it diving for a ball in the outfield. He was at practice on Tuesday with his right shoulder in a sling. He throws left-handed but bats righty.

“It happens. I’ll be back,” Fitchett said. “At least it’s now and not in April when conference starts.”

Fitchett hit a three-run homer in the alumni game last Saturday and batted .354 with three homers, eight doubles, four triples and 37 RBIs as a sophomore at Cosumnes River.

Fifth-year senior Alan Baldwin will likely start in his place with senior Matt LoCoco in center and junior Marcus Doi in left.

“You can’t expect to go an entire season without someone getting hurt,” said Baldwin, who started 51 of 53 games last season and hit .254 with six doubles, two triples and a home run. “It’s foolish to think that nobody will get hurt but you also have to know that when something like that happens, the next guy has to be ready and we’ll be ready.”