With the weekend sweep of Nevada-Las Vegas, Hawaii finds itself within shouting distance of being one of the six teams that advances to the Western Athletic Conference tournament next month.
If the season ended today, the three division winners would be Brigham Young University, Rice and San Jose State. The three at-large teams would be Utah, Fresno State and San Diego State.
The Rainbows trail the Aztecs by only 31/2 games entering a crucial weekend series at San Diego State. Granted, Hawaii needs to win the series to get into the thick of the race, but that's not beyond the realm of possibility.
After all, Hawaii has won three in a row and seven of its last 12 to run its overall record to 13-27 and league mark to 5-9. San Diego State is 25-11 and 9-6, respectively.
"If we can win at least two this weekend, then we have a chance to get back in it," Murakami said before his team departed for San Diego yesterday afternoon.
"Our guys are starting to play better and we're getting better pitching from our bullpen. It's still a long shot for us to make it, but our chances are better than they were two weeks ago. No question."
Hawaii will send Daven Hermosura to the mound in tomorrow's first game. The senior is 2-3 for the season with an ERA of 7.85. Freshman Dusty Bergman (1-4, 8.21) will pitch Saturday with the Sunday starter still up in the air.
"We may have to pitch by committee, but that's OK with me," Murakami said. "We've decided to use Andrew (McNally) in certain situations. No way he can pitch a complete game with his groin problem. We'll wait to see who we have to pitch in the first two games before making a decision."
It's a similar approach to what San Diego State head coach Jim Dietz does. His top pitcher is former UH player Chad Wanders, who is 4-3 with a 2.47 ERA. The Aztecs also have two solid starters in Brian Scott (5-1, 3.42) and Justin Brunette (4-1, 3.53).
Their top hitter is catcher Jason Phillips, who is batting .398 with 15 doubles and 33 RBIs. As a team, San Diego State is hitting .331 overall and .361 in league play.
"They always have players who can hit the ball," Murakami said. "It's also tough for us to beat them up there, but at least we have something to play for."
Finding someone who is healthy enough to play may be another matter. McNally isn't the only walking wounded player. Neal Honma (hamstring), Jamie Aloy (knee), Daren Masanda (knee), Darren Blakely (knee), Robert Medeiros (ankle) and Lars Hansen (dizzy spells) are day-to-day as well.
"Honma is the only one I know won't play, unless it's to pinch-hit," Murakami said. "We expect all those other guys to play at least one game - hopefully more."
Tomorrow: Hawaii vs. San DiegoState at 4 p.m; Saturday at 2 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m.
1420-AM, all three games.