[ RAINBOW BASEBALL ]
’Bows hope
to reverse resultIn the last home series of the season,
Hawaii would like to avenge a series
loss at Fresno State last month
The Hawaii Rainbows close out their home baseball season against long-time rival Fresno State in a three-game Western Athletic Conference series that starts tonight.
UH and FSU first played in 1982, and the Bulldogs have built a comfortable 51-35 advantage in the series. The only history the current Rainbows care about, however, is losing two of three in Fresno, Calif., last month. They want to reverse that this week.
"The Bulldogs beat us twice and played well in doing it," said UH coach Mike Trapasso.
The Rainbows (29-17, 12-9) are within reach of their preseason goal of 35 victories. They have 10 games, nine in conference, remaining. The challenge is to finish strong at home and carry that momentum on the final road trip of the season.
The 'Bows are tied for second place with Nevada. The Wolf Pack play at Rice this weekend, then return home to host Hawaii.
"No one is going to catch Rice, so we need Rice to win out in the conference the way they did earlier this year. That would make our three wins against Rice look even better," said Trapasso.
But so much for what might or might not happen, even though one Rice player guaranteed UH shortstop Brian Finegan that the Owls would sweep Nevada.
The Rainbows have to put the two wins over Rice on the back burner and concentrate on the Bulldogs (22-28, 10-11).
"While last weekend was a good weekend, it will be bittersweet if we don't take the approach and energy into this weekend," said Trapasso. "Our kids know what the situation is and that they can control their own destiny by going out and winning series. If we have to try things to fire them up, then we are in trouble."
Hawaii will go with its established starting rotation of Ricky Bauer, Stephen Bryant and Clary Carlsen, all right-handers. They face an extra challenge because FSU coach Mike Batesole can load his lineup with left-handed hitters.
One key for the 'Bows is getting on the scoreboard first. They are 22-2 when they score first. This allows Trapasso to play the small ball or the execution game, a strategy that pressures opposing defenses.
"With our players, it is all about playing hard and continuing to get good pitching," said Trapasso.
The UH coach also is hopeful Greg Kish, who is recovering from a sprained left ankle, can return to the outfield this week.
"Greg has to be capable of playing defense, otherwise he stays in the lineup as the designated hitter," Trapasso said.
How sophomore right-hander Rich Olsen feels after throwing in the bullpen earlier this week will determine whether he is ready to rejoin the reliever corps. Trapasso said yesterday Olsen will be on the active roster this weekend and available if healthy.
Injury report: Catcher Creighton Kahoali'i had an MRI on his right knee, which he injured sliding into third base in the first Rice game. The result is a tear of the posterior cruciate ligament. The injury does not require surgery, but the rest and rehabilitation normally takes four to six weeks, according to UH trainer Brian Wong. ... Center fielder Robbie Wilder is day-to-day with a pulled left hamstring muscle. ... Catcher Matt Inouye, who suffered a bruised triceps muscle in his left arm when he was hit by a pitch in the Rice series, is OK.
Fresno State at Hawaii
When: Today and tomorrow, 6:35 p.m., Saturday, 1:05 p.m.
Where: Murakami Stadium
TV: All games live, KFVE, Channel 5
Radio: All games live, KKEA, 1420-AM
Tickets: $6 Orange, Blue levels. $5 Red level. $4 Seniors, children age 4-18, UH students in the Red level.
Parking: $3
Probable starting pitchers
Notes: FSU sophomore outfielder Richie Robnett has a 24-game hitting streak. ... The Rainbows are 2-1 in Thursday games, 8-4 for Friday and 9-5 Saturday. ... Hawaii is first in the WAC in turning double plays with 52. ... Andrew Sansaver leads the 'Bows with 13 sacrifice bunts, while Rocky Russo and Matt Inouye have the most sacrifice flies (5).
HAWAII (29-17, 12-9 WAC) W-L ERA K RHP Ricky Bauer (Jr.) 8-2 2.92 62 RHP Stephen Bryant (Jr.) 7-3 2.67 60 RHP Clary Carlsen (Sr.) 6-6 4.31 41 FRESNO STATE (22-28, 10-11) W-L ERA K RHP Matt Garza (So.) 4-2 4.50 60 LHP Brandon Miller (So.) 4-3 5.32 37 To be announced
