No Hurricanes, but
lots of squalls for UH

'Bow baseball schedule for '98

By Al Chase
Star Bulletin

The 1998 University of Hawaii baseball schedule does not have an eye-opening first opponent such as nationally ranked Miami (No. 4) of a year ago, but the Rainbows will be tested early and often in head coach Les Murakami's 28th campaign.

Following the annual alumni doubleheader Jan. 10, the Rainbows begin their 40-game home schedule by playing host to the University of San Francisco (Jan. 16-18), which has several players from Hawaii on its roster, and former associate Western Athletic Conference member Cal State Sacramento (Jan. 22-24).

UCLA of the Pacific-10 Conference Southern Division returns for the fifth consecutive season (Jan. 29-31).

Florida State, a frequent visitor to the College World Series and a finalist in the NCAA East Regional last year, is in town for four games (Feb. 11-14).

With the exception of the annual Rainbow Easter Tournament, Loyola Marymount concludes the nonconference schedule (Feb. 20-22) and the Rainbows open WAC play the following weekend on the road at San Jose State.

For Murakami, the most important road trip comes in late April and early May when UH plays at Fresno State and San Diego State in a week-long trek.

"That trip will make or break us," Murakami said, referring to the goal of qualifying for the WAC postseason tournament.

SEASON TICKETS: Season ticket renewals for the 1998 UH baseball season will be mailed to last season's ticket holders Monday. They will have until Nov. 28 to mail back their renewal forms.

The 1998 prices are $185 for seats in the Blue and Orange levels with Red level seats costing $145. Senior citizens, students age 4-18 and UH-Manoa students (with valid ID) will receive a discounted rate of $120 for Red level seats only.

The remaining ticket dates to remember are -- Dec. 8: New season ticket sales to the general public begin. Dec. 22: Final new season ticket sale deadline. Jan. 3: Individual ticket sales begin.

1998 schedule

Jan. 10: Alumni (2), 5 p.m.

Jan 16: U. of San Francisco, 6:05 p.m. 17: U. of San Francisco, 1:05 p.m. 18: U. of San Francisco, 3:05 p.m.

Jan 22: Cal State Sacramento, 6:05 p.m. 23: Cal State Sacramento, 6:05 p.m. 24: Cal State Sacramento, 6:35 p.m.

Jan. 29: UCLA, 6:05 p.m. 30: UCLA, 6:05 p.m. 31: UCLA, 6:05 p.m.

Feb. 6: Hawaii-Hilo, 6:05 p.m. 7: vs. Hawaii-Hilo, 11 a.m., Hanapepe Ball Park. 8: vs. Hawaii-Hilo, 1 p.m., Old Kona Airport Ball Park.

Feb. 11: Florida State, 6:05 p.m. 12: Florida State, 6:05 p.m. 13: Florida State, 6:05 p.m. 14: Florida State, 12:05 p.m.

Feb. 20: Loyola Marymount, 6:05 p.m. 21: Loyola Marymount, 6:35 p.m. 22: Loyola Marymount, 3:05 p.m.

Feb. 27: at San Jose State (WAC). 28: at San Jose State (WAC). Mar. 1: at San Jose State (WAC).

Mar. 6: San Diego State (WAC), 6:05 p.m. 7: San Diego State (WAC), 3:05 p.m. 8: San Diego State (WAC), 3:05 p.m.

Mar. 13: at Rice (WAC). 14: at Rice (WAC). 15: at Rice (WAC).

Mar. 20: Fresno State (WAC), 6:05 p.m. 21: Fresno State (WAC), 1:05 p.m.. 22: Fresno State (WAC), 3:05 p.m.

Bank of America Rainbow Easter Tournament

Mar. 23: Lewis-Clark State vs. Nebraska, 11 a.m.; Wright State vs. Hawaii-Hilo, 2:30 p.m.; Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo vs. University of Hawaii, 6:35 p.m., Rainbow Stadium.

Mar. 24: Nebraska vs. Wright State, 11 a.m.; Hawaii-Hilo vs. Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, 2:30 p.m.; Lewis-Clark State vs. University of Hawaii, 6:35 p.m., Rainbow Stadium.

Mar. 25: Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo vs. Nebraska, 11 a.m.; Wright State vs. Lewis-Clark State, 2:30 p.m.; Hawaii-Hilo vs. University of Hawaii, 6:35 p.m., Rainbow Stadium.

Mar. 26: Lewis-Clark State vs. Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, 11 a.m.; Nebraska vs. Hawaii-Hilo, 2:30 p.m.; Wright State vs. University of Hawaii, 6:35 p.m., Rainbow Stadium.

Mar. 27: Hawaii-Hilo vs. Lewis-Clark State, 11 a.m.; Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo vs. Wright State, 2:30 p.m.; Nebraska vs. University of Hawaii, 6:35 p.m., Rainbow Stadium.

Mar. 28: 5th seed vs. 6th seed, 11 a.m.; 2nd seed vs. 3rd seed, 2:30 p.m.; 1st seed vs. 4th seed, 6:35 p.m., Rainbow Stadium.

Mar. 29: Tournament: Fifth place, 9 a.m.; Third place, noon; Championship, 3 p.m., Rainbow Stadium.

Apr. 3: at Air Force (WAC). 4: at Air Force (WAC). 5: at Air Force (WAC).

Apr. 10: Texas Christian (WAC), 6:05 p.m. 11: Texas Christian (WAC), 3:05 p.m. 12: Texas Christian (WAC), 3:05 p.m.

Apr. 17: Grand Canyon (WAC), 6:05 p.m. 18: Grand Canyon (WAC), 6:35 p.m. 19: Grand Canyon (WAC), 3:05 p.m.

Apr. 25: at Fresno State (WAC). 26: at Fresno State (WAC). 27: at Fresno State (WAC).

Apr. 30: at San Diego State (WAC). May 1: at San Diego State (WAC). 2: at San Diego State (WAC).

May 8: San Jose State (WAC), 6:05 p.m. 9: San Jose State (WAC), 6:35 p.m. 10: San Jose State (WAC), 3:05 p.m.

May 13-16: WAC Tournament at site TBA.