Saint Francis junior Bubba Akana, who earned All-Hawaii Division II Second Team honors as a utility player early this spring, has given a commitment to play for the University of Hawaii. Michael Lasquero | SL

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Saint Francis, which fielded its first varsity baseball team in 2011, landed its first recruit to neighboring University of Hawaii.

Junior shortstop Bubba Akana has verbally committed to play for the Rainbow Warriors, his coach and father Kip Akana confirmed.

"Hawaii was the first to show interest," the elder Akana said. "What an opportunity."

Akana's committment also was noted on Team California's website.

Coach Akana said UH recruited his son to play shortstop.

The younger Akana was an All-Hawaii second-team selection utility player. He batted .338 with 14 stolen bases.

Other programs that showed interest in Akana were Washington State, Cal Poly and San Francisco, the father said.