RAINBOW BASEBALL
RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
The grounds crew tried to salvage the mud bog that was first base last night at Les Murakami Stadium.
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Shockers, Rainbows play 2 today
Rain at Les Murakami Stadium gives pitchers Rodrigues and Shafer another day of arm rest
The Hawaii-Wichita State baseball game set for last night at Les Murakami Stadium was called off at 7:30 p.m. because of rain. It was rescheduled as part of a doubleheader today, starting at 10 a.m.
Rainbow Baseball
At Les Murakami Stadium
Who: No. 12 Wichita State at Hawaii
When: 10 a.m. today
What: Doubleheader -- two nine-inning games, but no inning will start after 4:15 p.m.
TV: Second game on KFVE, Ch. 5 at 1 p.m.
Radio: Both games, KKEA, 1420-AM
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Heavy rain starting around 6 last night soaked the artificial turf and dirt on the mound and around the bases. With the old surface not draining well and the possibility of more rain, the game was postponed.
"I was willing to stay out here until midnight to play, but cooler heads prevailed," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "Our turf now, it doesn't drain anymore. It just kind of turns into a sponge."
Shockers coach Gene Stephenson also noted the lack of drainage, and preferred to play two games today.
UH's scheduled starting pitcher, Mark Rodrigues (4-0, 1.46), shrugged it off.
"Actually it's better for me, another day of rest for my arm, so it should be good for tomorrow," said Rodrigues, who threw a complete game three-hitter in beating UC Santa Barbara last Saturday.
The delay might help WSU starter Aaron Shafer (1-1, 1.74) more. Shafer pitched five innings in a win against Hawaii-Hilo last Tuesday.
"All of our guys who were here last year should be used to this," Trapasso said. "That's why I wanted to play, we're mudders."
Last season, the Rainbows had eight games postponed or canceled due to bad weather.
"It's disappointing because it looks like we had close to a sellout crowd," Trapasso said.
The first game today will be nine innings. The second game will be scheduled for nine, but no inning will start after 4:15 p.m. so the Shockers can make their 6:55 p.m. flight out of Honolulu.
KFVE will telecast the second game, beginning at 1 p.m. Both will be on KKEA 1420-AM radio.
Ticket stubs for the rainout will be honored for both games, but the second game will be considered "standing room" for the rain checks and some people might have to change seats between games.
No. 12 Wichita State improved to 6-2 by beating Hawaii 7-1 on Friday. The Rainbows fell to 9-4.