Rainbows open strong
slate with Texas
The 2004 Hawaii baseball schedule has the Rainbows opening against national powerhouse Texas and playing six games against national champion Rice in Western Athletic Conference competition.
"I like the schedule," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "It's a balanced schedule. I don't like the fact we are opening so early. Next year (2005) we won't open until the second week of February. That allows us to have more midweek games and more practice time in the fall.
"I think the WAC will be stronger. We have the national champions with all their pitching back. Nevada had a good year last year and Fresno State and San Jose State are better."
Texas (50-20) won the national title in 2002 and was knocked out of the 2003 College World Series by Rice.
"When you look at Texas and they have their whole team back, this will be a team that is expecting to compete for the national championship." Trapasso said.
The next two foes are Cal State Northridge (13-42) and Florida International (33-26).
"When I made up the first part of this schedule two years ago, I thought I ought to have my head examined, because, after Texas, we were playing Cal State Northridge coming off a 47-win season," Trapasso said.
"The Matadors will be much better this year. Florida International didn't have one of their better years, but historically they are a 'regional' team. This series will be interesting for our fans because I don't think many of them realize what a solid program Danny Price has had there for years."
Texas, FIU and Rainbow Tournament participants Chicago State and The Citadel will appear at Les Murakami Stadium for the first time.
"We get to open the WAC with the national champions at their place," Trapasso said. "We have to go there regardless, so we might as well open up the WAC schedule there and find out what we've got."
Two things aren't settled for next season. The UH marketing department is looking for a title sponsor for the Rainbow Tournament. And Trapasso said he needs to schedule one more nonconference game on the mainland.
BACK TO TOP |
2004 Schedule
a-WAC games
January
24: Alumni, 1 p.m. 30: Texas, 6:35 p.m. 31: Texas, 6:35 p.m.
February
1: Texas, 1:05 p.m. 6: Cal State Northridge, 6:35 p.m. 7: Cal State Northridge, 6:35 p.m. 8: Cal State Northridge, 1:05 p.m. 13: Florida International, 6:35 p.m. 14: Florida International, 6:35 p.m. 15: Florida International, 1:05 p.m. 17: Hawaii Pacific, 6:35 p.m. 20: Hawaii-Hilo, 6:35 p.m. 21: Hawaii-Hilo, 6:35 p.m. 22: Hawaii-Hilo, 1:05 p.m. 27: San Francisco, 6:35 p.m. 28: San Francisco, 6:35 p.m. 29: San Francisco, 1:05 p.m.
March
Rainbow Tournament (March 2-6)
2: The Citadel vs. Oregon State, 2 p.m.; Hawaii vs. Chicago State, 6:35 p.m. 3: Chicago State vs. The Citadel, 2 p.m.; Hawaii vs. Oregon State, 6:35 p.m. 4: Chicago State vs. Oregon State, 2 p.m.; Hawaii vs. The Citadel, 6:35 p.m. 5: Semifinal games at 2 p.m. and 6:35 p.m. 6: Third place, 2 p.m.; Championship, 6:35 p.m.
13: Hawaii Pacific, 6:35 p.m. 19: at Rice (a). 20: at Rice (a). 21: at Rice (a). 25: at Louisiana Tech (a). 26: at Louisiana Tech (a). 27: at Louisiana Tech (a).
April
2: San Jose State (a), 6:35 p.m. 3: San Jose State (a), 6:35 p.m. 4: San Jose State (a), 1:05 p.m. 6: Sacramento State, 6:35 p.m. 7: Sacramento State, 6:35 p.m. 16: Louisiana Tech (a), 6:35 p.m. 17: Louisiana Tech (a), 6:35 p.m. 18: Louisiana Tech (a), 1:05 p.m. 23: at Fresno State (a). 24: at Fresno State (a). 25: at Fresno State (a). 29: Nevada (a), 6:35 p.m. 30: Nevada (a), 6:35 p.m.
May
1: Nevada (a), 6:35 p.m. 7: Rice (a), 6:35 p.m. 8: Rice (a), 6:35 p.m. 9: Rice, 1:05 p.m. 14: Fresno State (a), 6:35 p.m. 15: Fresno State (a), 6:35 p.m. 16: Fresno State (a), 1:05 p.m. 21: at Nevada (a). 22: at Nevada (a). 23: at Nevada (a). 25: at Pacific. 28: at San Jose State (a). 29: at San Jose State (a). 30: at San Jose State (a).
