Wahine need The math is simple for the Hawaii softball team.
3 of 4 from Tulsa
to keep season alive
Coolen believes that UH could
receive an at-large berth if
it wins the final home seriesBy Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.comThree wins over Tulsa this week equals sole possession of second place in the Western Athletic Conference. Three wins over the Golden Hurricane could also add up to a sixth NCAA tournament bid for the Wahine.
The 48-team field will be announced Sunday afternoon and Hawaii coach Bob Coolen knows the only chance his team has to earn a second consecutive postseason trip is to take the series from Tulsa. The Wahine (33-23, 13-7) and Golden Hurricane (46-14, 13-7) are tied for second heading into the final regular-season conference games.
A split does Hawaii no good, according to Coolen, who is a member of the NCAA Division I regional advisory committee. He is one of four representing the West region.
"Our regional committee had its last conversation on Monday," said Coolen. "Although the RPI won't come out until (today), we know we are still ranked fifth in our region.
"We know we have to win at least three of four to be considered. And then we have to hope that there are no major upsets in other conference tournaments that would give at-large spots to ranked teams. Then we're out. We have to be second outright, no ties. That's what I've told our team."
What coach James Pinkerton told his Golden Hurricane players is equally straightforward. Tulsa, ranked seventh in the region, will need at least three wins over Hawaii to even become a bubble team.
Somebody's postseason hopes will burst.
Hawaii has an 18-2 edge in the overall series. That includes an 8-0 record against Tulsa in the past two seasons combined.
But Tulsa is the turnaround team in the WAC this year. In 2001, the Golden Hurricane went 13-42 overall, 3-13 in the WAC.
"Their team is totally different this year, attitude-wise," said Coolen. "I talked to their coach Monday and he's not sure what's happened. Obviously winning has been contagious.
"Last year, we beat them 3-0 and 6-0 the first day and they were demoralized by the second day. They didn't score a run on us in four games. Their turnaround is something. This year, they're playing everyone pretty tough. They are very dangerous."
Ask No. 14 Fresno State, the WAC leader at 17-5. The host Bulldogs edged the Golden Hurricane 1-0 in 17 innings in the opener of the doubleheader on April 4, then had to rally in the bottom of the seventh to pull out a 2-1 victory.
The biggest difference for Tulsa has been pitching. Freshmen Ami Day and Lindsey Dyer are a combined 28-7.
"We've put it on the line for our players," said Coolen. "We've told them, 'Here's the deal. We need to win the series.'
"It's doable, but they have to do it."
The rain Monday forced the Wahine into Gym I. Coolen said the change in the routine was good.
"It was a fun workout," he said. "It broke up the routine of being on the field. It was very drill-oriented.
"What was good is everyone sounds so much louder inside. We need to communicate more. On the road last week, we let two games get away because we didn't communicate."
Notes: Six Hawaii players have been nominated for All-WAC honors: senior infielder Natalie Gonzales, junior infielder Kate Judd, sophomore infielder Stacey Porter, freshman outfielder Denise Dahlberg and freshman pitchers Shannon Tabion and Melissa Coogan. Gonzales is also on the all-region ballot. ... Tomorrow is "Uniform Night." Anyone in any type of uniform -- sports, military, police, fire -- will be admitted free. ... Saturday is "Senior Day" for Stacie Hirano, Jennifer Tandarich and Gonzales.
When: Doubleheaders tomorrow, 5 p.m., and Saturday, 2 p.m. UH softball
Where: Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium
TV: Live, KFVE, Channel 5, tomorrow only
Radio: None
Tickets: $3 adults, $2 senior citizens, $1 UH students and children 4-18.
Parking: $3
UH Athletics
