’Bows hope to
rebound vs. LaTech
The primary goal has not changed for the Hawaii Rainbow baseball team as it prepares for the final homestand of the 2003 season.
LaTech at Hawaii
When: Tomorrow and Saturday, 6:35 p.m., Sunday, 1:05 p.m.
Where: Murakami Stadium
TV: All games live, KFVE, Channel 5
Radio: All games live, KKEA, 1420-AM
The Rainbows host Louisiana Tech in a three-game Western Athletic Conference series starting tomorrow. Their immediate magic number is 28, the number of wins necessary to assure the 'Bows (26-23, 7-17 WAC) of at least a .500 season.
To make progress toward that goal, Hawaii has to rebound from a three-game sweep at Nevada last weekend. Louisiana Tech (16-30-1, 8-16 WAC) won two of three from visiting Fresno State last weekend, but arrives coming off a 10-6 loss to Louisiana-Monroe on Tuesday.
The Bulldogs won two of three, both by one run, from UH last month in Ruston, La. They were games that could have gone either way, but errors sank the 'Bows in one game and a great catch in the ninth inning by Bulldog center fielder Antonio Sabatini halted a potential game-winning rally in the other.
"They just beat us. We were not getting the job done. In both games we made a mistake, a walk or an error, and they capitalized by hitting a home run," said Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso.
He plans to go with the same starting rotation on the mound, Ricky Bauer tomorrow and Chris George on Saturday, although Sunday's starter is listed as TBA in the weekly press release.
"I want to start Keahi (Rawlins) Sunday and we probably will start Keahi but we're going to leave it open," said Trapasso. "I want to get him two more starts this year. But I want to see him in the bullpen this week to see if we can get him off his backside and stay tall."
Louisiana Tech will open with left-hander Adam Kirkendall, who had a memorable outing last week against Fresno State when he struck out 18 in nine innings. He also gave up eight runs, and was not involved in the decision as the game went into extra innings.
"We've pretty much settled in with our lineup, but with Kirkendall on the mound, we'll probably stack it with right-handed hitters," said Trapasso. "Kirkendall is very tough on lefties with his curveball and it's a legitimate curveball."
The eight UH seniors will be honored after Sunday's game.
