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Thursday, January 27, 2000
Hawaii pitchers
getting shot at
redemption
Murakami will stick with his
By Al Chase
rotation against San Diego as the
'Bows go for their first win
Star-BulletinThe Hawaii Rainbows are still looking for that first 2000 victory.
The San Diego Toreros, who won three of five from the Hawaii-Hilo Vulcans last week, provide the opposition in a three-game series starting tonight at Rainbow Stadium.
Head coach Les Murakami will use the same starting pitchers -- Randon Ho, Rich Snider and Chad Giannetti -- he used last week.
"We'll see what happens. If they can't do the job somebody else will be in there," Murakami said.
PLAY BALL
Matchup: San Diego Toreros (3-2) vs. Hawaii (0-3).
The sweep by Florida last week was only the 10th time a visitor had accomplished that in a series of three games or more. Still, Murakami found a couple of bright spots and he hopes his players realize the Gators delivered a message.
"One of the big positives was we used a lot of people and we'll continue to do so because this lineup is not set," Murakami said.
"Because the lineup is not set, we'll be moving people all over until I'm satisfied certain guys feel comfortable at their position.
"We'll give the kids a chance to fail or succeed. I think some of the kids, especially the younger ones, were overmatched (against Florida). And, the seniors found out maybe they have to start working harder."
It's possible Derek Honma and Nate Jackson will start in the outfield because Darin Baker has yet to get a hit, Scooter Martines is hurt and Rah-Miel Mitchell is not yet in playing shape.
Murakami is toying with the idea of playing Patrick Scalabrini at third and moving Danny Kimura to first occasionally.
Yet at the same time, he doesn't think he can afford to have two middle infielders without pop in their bats.
The Toreros will start three senior right-handers. Murakami hopes his hitters stop taking pitches right down the middle and swinging at pitches that are balls.
'Bow Bunts:
Martines (strained left shoulder) has not taken batting practice this week and is doubtful for the USD series. ... Hawaii was picked to finish second in the Western Athletic Conference race in a preseason coaches poll. Rice was a unanimous choice to defend its title. The Owls received the maximum (coaches can't vote for their own team) five first-place votes. UH had the other first-place vote.
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