Rainbows challenged
early in ’05
The Hawaii baseball team opens the 2005 season with consecutive four-game series against Alabama of the Southeastern Conference, Pacific of the Big West Conference and Washington State of the Pacific-10 Conference.
"Obviously, this will be a very challenging schedule," said UH coach Mike Trapasso. "We start off with three, four-game series that will really help us develop some depth, especially in our pitching staff."
The Crimson Tide finished 29-26 a year ago with a 10-20 mark in the SEC. Coach Jim Wells brought in 15 recruits for the coming season. The Tigers, rebuilding under second-year coach Ed Sprague, were 20-34 a year ago. The Cougars, also 29-26 a year ago, have 21 new players on the 2005 roster.
With those 12 games under their belt, the Rainbows host regular nonconference opponents Wichita State and Sacramento State, and first-time visitors Louisiana-Lafayette, UC Davis and South Florida in the five-day Rainbow Baseball Tournament March 1-5.
Florida State of the Atlantic Coast Conference and Winthrop of the Big South Conference round out the nonconference schedule.
The Seminoles (45-23) missed another trip to the College World Series when they lost to Arkansas in the Super Regional last year. The Eagles finished 37-23 a year ago.
Louisiana Tech begins the home Western Athletic Conference season March 18-20. Then the 'Bows make their first road trip, starting with a nonconference game at Pacific March 22 followed by a weekend series at Fresno State.
"The conference is always a challenge because the teams in the WAC play so well at home. It's also the last year Rice is in the conference and I'm sure they will be looking to keep up their history of success in the conference."
The remainder of the season focuses on WAC competition with midweek games at San Francisco and California and a single game against Hawaii-Hilo April 12.
The regular season ends on the road with a series at Rice and Louisiana Tech.
2005 Rainbow Schedule
Feb. 10-13: Alabama.
Feb. 17-20: Pacific.
Feb. 24-27: Washington State
Rainbow Baseball Tournament
March 1: Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Wichita State, 10:30 a.m.; UC Davis vs. South Florida, 2:30 p.m.; Hawaii vs. Sacramento State, 6:35 p.m.
March 2: South Florida vs. Louisiana-Lafayette, 10:30 a.m.; Wichita State vs. Sacramento State, 2:30 p.m.; Hawaii vs. UC Davis, 6:35 p.m.
March 3: Sacramento State vs. Louisiana-Lafayette, 10:30 a.m.; Wichita State vs. UC Davis, 2:30 p.m.; Hawaii vs. South Florida, 6:35 p.m.
March 4: Sacramento State vs. South Florida, 10:30 a.m.; Louisiana-Lafayette vs. UC Davis, 2:35 p.m.; Hawaii vs. Wichita State, 6:35 p.m.
March 5: UC Davis vs. Sacramento State, 10:30 a.m.; South Florida vs. Wichita State, 2:30 p.m.; Hawaii vs. Louisiana-Lafayette, 6:35 p.m.
March 10-12: Florida State.
March 15-16: Winthrop.
March 18-20: Louisiana Tech (a).
March 22: at Pacific.
March 25-27: at Fresno State (a).
April 1-3: San Jose State (a).
April 6: at San Francisco.
April 8-10: At Nevada (a).
April 12: Hawaii-Hilo.
April 15-17: Rice (a).
April 20: at California.
April 22-24: at San Jose State (a).
April 29-30, May 1: Nevada (a).
May 13-15: Fresno State (a).
May 20-22: at Rice (a).
May 26-28: at Louisiana Tech (a).
(a): Western Athletic Conference games.
