Sports Notebook Star-Bulletin staff

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Pitching depth still a plus as UH tries to advance

RENO, Nev. » Here's a challenge. Find something positive for Hawaii after its 11-1 loss to Nevada in the Rainbows' opener yesterday at the Western Athletic Conference baseball tournament.

Actually, it's pretty easy.

UH's pitching depth was in fine form heading into today's survival game against Sacramento State (the only squad in the six-team tourney not thought of as a possibility to win it going in).

Coach Mike Trapasso said he would start left-hander Mark Rodrigues -- arguably the Rainbows' most consistent pitcher this season. And UH also had all of its first-line hurlers available for duty today.

That includes Ian Harrington and Matt Daly, who were ineffective against Nevada yesterday. Harrington threw 45 pitches and Daly 35 last night. Trapasso said he could press them into service this morning if needed.

"That's why I took (Daly) out," after two innings, Trapasso said.

Some combination of Josh Schneider, Jayson Kramer and Tyler Davis -- and Nick Rhodes, who threw six shutout innings against Fresno State on Monday -- would also likely see action today and tomorrow if the Rainbows survive.

Way to run

Hawaii was outplayed by Nevada yesterday in every phase except baserunning -- strange, since it hasn't been a team strength for the Rainbows this year, and the 2007 Rainbows have suffered many a misadventure on the basepaths.

UH slugger Kris Sanchez got credit for a steal of home when Brandon Haislet took off from first, drawing a throw from Pack catcher Konrad Schmidt that went into center field. It was ruled Sanchez was going anyway, and it wasn't the error that allowed him to score.

Local Boy I

Left fielder Chris Balatico, a Mililani High School alumnus, had two hits, including a double, and drove in three runs as San Jose State beat Louisiana Tech 11-1 in seven innings yesterday.

The Spartans advanced to tonight's feature game against the Wolf Pack.

"Right now our focus is on San Jose State," said Nevada coach Gary Powers, when asked if ace Ryan Rodriguez might come back to pitch tomorrow or Sunday. "In my opinion, they might be the hottest team in the tournament."

Local Boy II

Chris Mols, a Roosevelt High School alumnus, finished up on the mound for Sacramento State in its 10-2 loss to Fresno State.

Mols gave up a hit in two-thirds of an inning.

Siewert hurt

Nevada shortstop Chris Siewert was expected to undergo tests to determine the extent of the injury to his right hand, Powers said.

Siewert was hit by a pitch from Harrington in the second inning yesterday and was replaced by Owen Mackedon.