[ UH BASEBALL ]
’Bows open against
No. 5 TexasA tough Longhorns team will
test UH in a three-game series
Hawaii opens its baseball regular season against Texas tomorrow in the first of a three-game series at Murakami Stadium.
The Longhorns are ranked No. 5 by Collegiate Baseball and this is the first time a ranked team starts UH coach Mike Trapasso's schedule. Hawaii has not opened against a ranked opponent since No. 18 Florida was here in 2000.
The Longhorns return 17 letterwinners, including eight pitchers, from a 2003 team that was one win away from reaching the final best-of-three championship series at the College World Series.
Texas has four of its top six hitters back in Curtis Thigpen (.417), Taylor Teagarden (.306), Seth Johnson (.300) and Michael Hollimon (.300). Two of the team's regular starters, J.P. Howell and Justin Simmons, return, along with closer Houston Street, who set the freshman and sophomore school records for saves with 14 and 15, respectively.
This series against a Texas team that is loaded with talent, with All-America candidates and most likely a future major league player or two, provides the Rainbows with an early measuring stick. But it won't necessarily indicate how the 56-game 2004 season will develop.
Hawaii is 22-7 in opening games at Murakami Stadium. Improving on that record will require a lot more focus than the Rainbows exhibited last week against the alumni.
Still, an opening game or series is different from any other during the season.
"You would like to say it is no different, but the reality is it's the opening of baseball season. You have worked hard all fall and for three weeks in the spring, so it is special and carries a little extra adrenaline," Trapasso said. "The players understand it is time to turn the dial up. The majority of our guys have been out there before and they know what to expect."
Trapasso's projected starting lineup could have eight returnees, beginning with junior right-handed pitcher Ricky Bauer and sophomore catcher Matt Inouye.
Senior Andrew Sansaver at first, sophomore Isaac Omura at second and senior Brian Finegan at short were regulars at those positions last year and sophomore third baseman Rocky Russo played more than half of his 50 games at the hot corner last year (he was designated hitter in most of the others).
The outfield starters are subject to game-time decisions, as senior left fielder Jaziel Mendoza and sophomore junior college transfer Robbie Wilder, who has the lead in the battle for the center-field spot, are nursing hamstring pulls.
"I would say that Wilder is doubtful and that Mendoza is probable," Trapasso said.
Mendoza was given clearance earlier this week to do sprints again and he indicated Tuesday he thought he would be ready to play this weekend.
If Mendoza does not start, junior college transfer Greg Kish will be in left. Senior returnee Josh Green or Kish will be in right.
Freshman Derek Dupree will start in center if Wilder is a no go.
The starting rotation for the remainder of the weekend has sophomore right-handers Rich Olsen going Saturday and Keahi Rawlins on the mound Sunday.
All the starters will have a pitch limit in the neighborhood of 60 to 70. This means the bullpen will be active and the relievers can establish themselves in the roles envisioned by the coaching staff.
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