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Thursday, February 15, 2001
Coaches foresee RICE, to nobody's surprise, was picked to win the Western Athletic Conference baseball in the coaches preseason poll.
Rice dominating
once again
Owls are already 8-0 overall,
but Hawaii's first test
is NevadaBy Al Chase
Star-BulletinThe Owls have won the WAC postseason tournament (when it was held) and the regular-season title each of the four seasons they have been a league member.
"No one really knows what anybody has except for Rice," said University of Hawaii acting head coach Carl Furutani.
SERIES
What: WAC baseball
Rice recovered from a slow start last year to share the regular-season title with San Jose State.
In 2001, the Owls have blasted out of the gate. They are 8-0 with wins over traditionally top teams Baylor, Texas, Texas Tech, Georgia Tech, Nebraska and Houston.
The Owls have been to five consecutive NCAA tournaments and have the overall balance to make it six this season.
Fresno State, an NCAA tournament participant last year after a two-year absence finished second in the poll.
Head coach Bob Bennett has a wealth of returnees and an experienced pitching staff.
Newcomer Nevada, a postseason player the past two years, and San Jose State, the WAC representative at the 2000 College World Series, tied for third place.
Wolf Pack coach Gary Powers has to replace five all-conference players and thinks he can do that with talented young players.
The Spartans reloaded by signing five junior college all-americans to go with five returning position players.
Hawaii was fifth, followed by Texas Christian and the University of Hawaii-Hilo.
The preseason poll does not bother Furutani.
"I'd rather be in that situation because I think we're better than that," Furutani said, "It comes down to pride. The poll told us to go out there and get things done."
A capsule look at the WAC teams in the order of the coaches' preseason poll follows.
RICE
The Owls are hitting .308 as a team, led by A.J. Porfirio, a junior college transfer hitting .343. Roman is next at .321.
Graham could have one of the best pitching staffs in the country. The bullpen has done its job as Rice has won three games in the last at-bat.
FRESNO STATE
With Josh Labandeira's return to shortstop, FSU has a veteran infield. Brad Harper is behind the plate for the third season. Two veterans return in the outfield.
The Bulldogs will be tough, if they don't beat themselves as they did at times in 2000.
NEVADA
Whether Nevada challenges for the WAC title depends on the development of young players. Another key for Powers is having his players stay healthy, especially the pitchers.
SAN JOSE STATE
Duplicating last season, the most successful in school history, probably depends on the contribution made by the transfers. Gabe Lopez (.500) has stepped in at second base and Ryan Adams (.300) is the new shortstop.
Someone has to step up and claim the starting catcher's job.
HAWAII
Gregg Omori, who sat out last year when USF did not grant him a release, has filled the void at second base.
Rotating catchers Brian Bock and Jacob Flick and newcomers Cortland Wilson and Tim Montgomery need to help on offense.
Consistency by the starting pitchers and "holds" by the middle relievers will be crucial.
TEXAS CHRISTIAN
Rebounding from a losing season may depend on how right-handers Chad Durham and Stan Newton recover from injuries
TCU is solid behind the plate and up the middle, but have battles going on for the starting berths at third and first base.
HAWAII-HILO
Petersen and Rooke are established outfielders and need to continue contributing offensively the way they have early.
The Vulcans rely on manufacturing runs with execution and speed. Holding the opponents on defense is key.
WAC
Conference Overall Team W L Pct. W L Pct. Hawaii-Hilo 2 1 .667 3 8 .273 Nevada 1 2 .333 2 7 .222 Rice 0 0 .000 8 0 1.000 San Jose State 0 0 .000 5 1 .800 Hawaii 0 0 .000 5 4 .555 Fresno State 0 0 .000 5 4 .555 Texas Christian 0 0 .000 4 4 .500 Tuesday
Rice 5, Houston 4
San Jose State 12, St. Mary's (Calif.) 4
TCU at Sam Houston State, cancelled
Today
Nevada at Hawaii, 6:35 p.m.
Tomorrow
Nevada at Hawaii, 6:35 p.m.
San Jose State at Fresno State
Purdue at Rice
UH Athletics
Ka Leo O Hawaii
