Rainbow playbook
San Jose State Spartans
Coaches: SJS, Sam Piraro (13th season, 395-304-3). UH, Les Murakami (29th season, 1,029-528-4).
Season: SJS, 12-9-1 (3-0 WAC). UH, 15-6 (2-4 WAC).
Probable starting pitchers: SJS, right-hander Jeremy Rogelstad (2-3, 3.61); right-hander Steve Murphy (2-1, 2:10); left-hander Vince LaCorte (3-1, 0.79. Combined, Spartan starters have fanned 100, walked 33. UH, left-hander Jamie Aloy (4-3, 3.18); left-hander Randon Ho (4-2, 1.45); left-handers Troy Yoshimasu (4-0, 3.07) or Dusty Bergman (0-0, 3.38). Combined, 'Bow starters have fanned 91, walked 33.
Top players: Designated hitter Junior Ruiz (.355); shortstop Mike Rouse (.329, 19 RBIs, 7-for-10 in stolen bases); center fielder Ryan Brucker (.312, hit leader with 24); right fielder Todd Duncan (.288, 24 RBIs).
Interesting facts: The Spartans' season has been one of streaks. They have winning streaks of two (twice), three and five games and losing streaks of two, three and four games ... Rainbows lead the series, 20-8, but are 1-5 the past two seasons in San Jose and 5-7 in WAC play ... High pop ups or fly balls go above the lights at Municipal Stadium, then come back down through the lights ... Spartans are 4-3 vs. left-handed starters in '99 ... UH catcher Lars Hansen has a nine-game hitting streak ... Aloy is 2-2 vs. SJS with both defeats coming in a doubleheader, March 1, 1997 ... UH relievers have inherited 33 runners and allowed just nine to score. The bullpen has combined to retire 44 of the first 68 opponents faced ... 'Bows are 7-3 in day games, 8-3 at night.
Series keys: Defensively, the 'Bows are playing on grass and have to get in front of balls in case of bad bounces instead of fielding to one side or the other, which is possible on artificial turf ... The Spartans have received excellent pitching the past two weeks despite a 5-4 record during that time ... SJS opened WAC play by sweeping visiting New Mexico, holding the Lobos to three runs in three games ... UH hitters must be ready to adjust at the plate especially to an expanded strike zone ... If that happens, Hawaii pitchers must take advantage ... Finally, the Rainbows need to play loose and do the little things that lead to victory.
First pitch: Today, 5 p.m.; tomorrow, 11 a.m.; Sunday, 10:30 a.m.
On the air: Today, tomorrow and Sunday, live on KCCN radio (1420 AM).
Rainbow playbook
Long Beach State 49ers
and Pepperdine Waves
Coaches--LBS: Ray Ratelle (18th season, 347-181). PU: Marv Dunphy (17th season, 278-126). UH: Mike Wilton (7th season, 130-56).
Season--LBS: 12-1 (9-1 MPSF). PU: 13-1 (10-1 MPSF). UH: 11-4 (5-3 MPSF).
Ranking--LBS: No 2. PU: No. 3. UH: No. 7.
Series: UH leads against LBS, 22-21. The 49ers have won the last two meetings, including the straight-set victory Feb. 17 at The Pyramid. UH trails in the series with the Waves, 22-14, and has lost the last four meetings, the last coming in last year's MPSF Tournament semifinal match on April 23.
Top players--LBS: David McKienzie (6-3 So. OH) 3.68 kpg; Jim Polster (6-6 So. OH) 4.11 kpg; Scott Faber (6-5 Jr. MB) 1.54 bpg, 20 aces; Matt Prosser (6-7 So. MB) 1.46 bpg; Chris Seifer (6-4 Jr. S) 18.24 assists pg, 12 aces. PU: George Roumain (6-6 Sr. OH) 8.30 kpg, 17 aces; Scott Wong (6-5 So. OH) 5.20 kpg; Chris Van Reusen (6-5 Fr. MB) 1.73 bpg; Don Killian (6-5 So. MB) 1.37 bpg; J.J. Riley (6-3 Sr. S) 18.43 assists pg.
About the 49ers: Long Beach State has won its last three matches following the stunning straight-set loss to Pacific two weeks ago in Stockton. Included in that run was a five-set win last week at UCLA, the 49ers' first since 1992 ... Sophomore hitter Dave McKienzie has been on fire as of late, leading the team in kills the last four matches. He had 45 kills against the Bruins en route to AVCA National Player of the Week honors March 3 ... The 49ers are 8-0 at home but haven't played an MPSF match at the Pyramid since their sweep of the Rainbows last month.
About the Waves: The Hawaii connection is working for Pepperdine with senior setter J.J. Riley and sophomore hitter Scott Wong, both Punahou grads ... The Waves have won four in a row since losing their first only match of the season on the road at Long Beach State ... George Roumain has the season high in the MPSF for kills, putting down 47 in last month's win over Pacific ... Don Killian hit 1.000 last week against Southern Cal (9-0-9).
About the Rainbows: Hawaii has won its last four straight to move into second place in the Pacific Division of the MPSF, 21/2 games behind the 49ers. A win over Long Beach State and/or Pepperdine would help the Rainbows solidify a first-round playoff match at home next month ... Hawaii is coming off a crucial sweep of UC Santa Barbara. Sophomore Clay Stanley played his way back into the starting lineup with an outstanding performance against the Gauchos on Saturday (30 kills, .447). Continuing his stellar first-year career is sophomore hitter Torry Tukuafu, who leds the team in kills (4.59) and digs (108). Tukuafu had a season-high 33 kills against the 33 kills against UCSB last Saturday ... Junior all-American Andre Breuer continues to get more comfortable in the lineup as he heals from his heel injury earlier this season. He had 22 kills and hit .545 Saturday against the Gauchos. Senior setter Mason Kuo now must find a way to get sophomore middle Dejan Miladinovic more involved in the offense.
End quote: "If we can't sustain our effort on the road, we're going to get spanked," said Rainbow coach Mike Wilton.
First serve: Tonight and tomorrow at 5 p.m. HST.
On the air: Tomorrow's match only on KCCN (1420-AM) live. No television.
