If the Bulldogs lose this important Western Athletic Conference series, their chances of winning the division are virtually extinct.
The same can be said for UH head coach Les Murakami's Rainbows, who are beginning a month-long home stand that will go a long way in determining whether they will be in the postseason parade.
That may seem a bit melodramatic at this early point in the season, but thanks to the frantic pace of Cal State-Northridge, neither team can afford to lose any more ground.
The Matadors are a healthy 8-2 in WAC play entering a three-game road trip at 0-7 Cal State-Sacramento. The Rainbows are in third place in the West Division with a 5-4 mark, while the Bulldogs are in fourth at 3-3.
"Neither team can afford to lose two or more games this weekend," UH head coach Les Murakami said. "It puts too much pressure on your team if you fall too many games back.
"It's going to be tough because Fresno State has such a good coach (Bob Bennett). He usually has good talent. This year he got jammed up because two kids flunked out.
"But I wish we would have played them right after that because lately they've been playing well. I think their ship has straightened out. I'm expecting a tough series, no matter what."
Fresno State has won eight consecutive games, including Tuesday's 11-10 slugfest with San Jose State. At 15-14 overall, the Bulldogs climbed above the .500 mark for the first time since early February.
But those numbers are deceiving when considering Fresno State has played six highly ranked opponents - defending national champion Cal State-Fullerton, Stanford, Northridge, Nevada, California and Nevada-Las Vegas.
Like Murakami, Bennett believes in scheduling the best teams available in hopes that it better prepares his team for NCAA regional action.
In recent years, Bennett has gotten the better of Murakami by winning 12 of 18 WAC games between the two. He also holds a 14-12 advantage over Murakami at Rainbow Stadium.
Hawaii's best chance of winning a game is tonight, when top pitcher Mark Johnson takes the hill. He has a 5-1 overall record and 3.31 ERA.
The senior has been even tougher in WAC play. He is 2-0 with a stingy 2.10 earned run average. Johnson likely will face Jeff Weaver, the Bulldogs' top pitcher.
He is 5-3 with an ERA of 1.84, but is winless in two tries in league action.
UH lefty Paul Ah Yat (5-3, 4.71) will start tomorrow against Mike Powell (2-4, 5.85).
Murakami probably will go with Randon Ho (4-1, 3.80) or Jay Spurgeon (0-0, 3.14) on Sunday vs. Fresno State's Scott Navarro (3-0, 5.93).
Ho said Wednesday that his fin
ger wasn't broken and thought he would be ready to pitch by the weekend. Murakami said he would wait before making a decision.
The waiting is over for outfielder Jason Ross, who recovered quickly from a broken hand he sustained a month ago after hitting it on the top of the bat rack in frustration.
He said Wednesday that he had been cleared to play by the UH trainers. It's likely Ross will be in right field for tonight's game.
"I gave the other guys a chance over the last month and nobody really took it," Murakami said. "So, you go with the best athlete and that is Ross."
Ross missed 10 games. He will return to the lineup with a .250 average. Joining him in the outfield will be Darren Blakely (.258) in center and Greg Millichap (.333) in left.
Top hitter Chris Garnett (.419) will be at first, Jody Napuunoa (.367) at second, Jaime Ahu (.310) at shortstop and slumping Robert Medeiros (.308) at third.
Kenn Wakakuwa (.299), who also struggled at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, will be the catcher in the first game. He will alternate with Garnett tomorrow.
The designated hitter will be true freshman surprise Tracy Nakano, who is batting .269. He has five RBIs on only seven hits.
"This kid is not very big, but he has some pop in his bat," Murakami said. "He had several key hits in our last road trip.
Fresno State counters with several talented hitters of its own. Outfielder Derek Feramisco leads the way with a .376 average in 29 games.
He has five homers and 29 RBIs. Pete Hennecke is not too far back with a .368 batting average.
Matt Curtis provides plenty of power. He is hitting .343 with five homers and 25 RBIs.
It's this caliber of player that has Murakami most worried.
"This is not a bad team," Murakami said. "And we both need to win at least two games, so it should make for a very good series for our fans."