PLAYBOOK
vs. San Jose State Spartans
By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin
First pitch: Tomorrow, 6:35 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 3:05 p.m., Rainbow Stadium.
Coaches: Hawaii, Les Murakami, 30th season (1,067-554-4, .658); San Jose State, Sam Piraro, 14th season (429-329-3, .566).
Season: Hawaii (7-2 Western Athletic Conference, 16-12 overall); San Jose State (3-3, 16-8).
Series record: Hawaii leads the series, 20-11. The Spartans swept the Rainbows last season, 9-3, 9-7 and 3-2, at San Jose's Municipal Stadium and hold a 10-5 advantage over UH in conference games.
Probable starting pitchers: San Jose State, Chris Sherman, Jr. RH (3-3, 3.79); Joey Baker, Jr. RH (3-3, 3.76), and Chris Key, Sr. LH (5-0, 2.51) ... Hawaii, Jamie Aloy, Sr. LH (4-1, 4.08); Randon Ho, Sr. LH (3-4, 6.29), and Rich Snider, Sr. RH (5-3, 3.97).
Top position players: San Jose State, Brian Stream, So. 2B (.344 batting average, 5 runs batted in); Junior Ruiz, So. LF (.326, 1 HR, 16 RBIs), and John Fagan, Jr. 1B (.286, 6 HR, 22 RBIs) ... Hawaii, Kenn Wakakuwa, Sr. C/2B (.389, 2 HR, 23 RBIs); Kramer Aoki, So. C (.370, 6 RBIs); Jamie Aloy, Sr. 1B (.365, 6 RBIs), Danny Kimura, Jr. 1B-DH(.339, 29 RBIs).
Interesting facts: The Spartans began their eight-game road trip by defeating San Francisco, 8-3, Tuesday. Following the UH series, they will play Hawaii Pacific next Tuesday at Hans L'Orange Park at 7 p.m., then go to the Big Island for a three-game WAC series against the Hawaii-Hilo Vulcans, March 30, 31 and April 1 ... The 'Bows are first in the WAC in batting (.300) and fielding (.967) and fourth in pitching (4.78) ... Danny Kimura leads the WAC with 29 RBIs. Jamie Aloy is tied with SJSU's Junior Ruiz for the top spot in the WAC in on-base percentage (.472).
Series keys: The Rainbows played well in all phases against Fresno State with the reward being sole possession of first place in the WAC standings. The challenge now is to keep playing solid baseball and force the rest of the conference teams to play catchup ... The Spartans have won five of their last six games, all against nonconference foes. They are third in the WAC ... With Rah-Miel Mitchell regaining his batting eye, UH head coach Les Murakami has one more option available for the one or two spots that he changes in the lineup each game.
On the air: All games live on KCCN radio (1420 AM); Sunday' s game live on KFVE TV (Channel 5)
RealAudio: Live 'Net broadcast Click Here
Tickets: $6 orange and blue sections, $5 red section. $4 senior citizens (65 and over),students 4-18 and UH students with valid ID. $3 parking charge.
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
