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Thursday, February 3, 2000

No. 4 UCLA a big test
for baseball Rainbows

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

Hawaii opens a three-game series tonight with UCLA, ranked No. 4 in two preseason polls.

Two weeks ago, the Rainbows weren't quite ready for No. 18 Florida.

Now, with six games under their belts, the 'Bows face a Bruin team loaded with players who haven't won in six games at Rainbow Stadium the past two seasons.

But that hasn't stopped UCLA head coach Gary Adams from scheduling a trip to Hawaii. It's the eighth time the Bruins have played here since 1990.

"They were young. This is their payoff year," UH head coach Les Murakami said. "Every three years is Gary's payoff year. That's why they are rated No. 4.

"They have pitching. They are a veteran team. They should be good. It's unfortunate that we are not at full strength. If we were, it would be a helluva test."

One player the Rainbows might have back for the series is left fielder/designated hitter Scooter Martines. He strained his left shoulder in the season opener making a diving catch.

Martines has been cleared to play and was going to test the shoulder in a scrimmage last night.

Murakami will use the same starting pitchers for the third consecutive series. But Randon Ho, Rich Snider and Chad Giannetti will be on a short leash if they run into trouble.

"I probably don't even have to think about that. If they don't pitch well, they will be whacked out of there," Murakami said.

Murakami doesn't plan any changes with the position players although he plans to play a lot of people because not everyone is available yet.

One thing for sure, Murakami will be watching to see if his hitters are being smarter at the plate and not trying to pull every pitch.

"Maybe the only way they are going to learn is to sit down. It's going to happen," Murakami said.

Short hops:

It probably will be another week before senior outfielder Sean Takamori receives the word that his academic house is in order.

Freshman infielder Akaniao Kozeniewski should learn today whether or not he will be eligible this season. The NCAA questioned an English course he took his sophomore year at Waianae High School and originally ruled Kozeniewski did not meet the core course requirements for incoming freshman. The NCAA will have a meeting today to consider an appeal of that decision.

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