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LUCY PEMONI / STAR-BULLETIN Ricky Bauer, Stephen Bryant, Steven Wright, Colby Summer, Justin Costi and Myles Ioane could start for UH this season.

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’Bows know it’s time
to make a move

Coach Trapasso is not shy
about voicing his expectations
for this year's UH baseball team

Hawaii Rainbow baseball coach Mike Trapasso has openly stated that this is the year his team should challenge for the Western Athletic Conference title and finish with a record worthy of an NCAA regional berth.

Alabama at Hawaii When: Tomorrow, Friday and Saturday, 6:35 p.m., Sunday, 1:05 p.m. Where: Murakami Stadium TV: All four games, live, KFVE, Channel 5 Radio: All four games, live, KKEA, 1420-AM Tickets: $7 orange and blue levels. $6 red level. $5 seniors. $4 students age 4-18, UH students in the red level. Parking: $3.

"We feel good about our club. You have to temper that with the fact we have so many new guys we're counting on, but this is the year that our program needs to make a statement," said Trapasso, starting his fourth season at UH.

"This year we have to have a breakout year. That's what we hope for. That's what we're capable of. We were poised to do that last year and with nine games left, we blew it."

Trapasso watched all fall to see what kind of personality his team would develop. He didn't see one, but what was missing emerged during the winter.

"They have been self-starters and there has been a lot more energy. They have gone about their business in a way that makes you believe these guys should do well," said Trapasso. "I have no problem saying that because this team needs to be challenged."

Co-captain and senior outfielder Greg Kish said, "This group is pretty focused on what they have to do. I've been impressed with their focus during practice."

Alabama (29-26 last season) returns its starting rotation and should be an excellent season-opening test. Although Trapasso and his staff think they have all the bases covered, he expects Alabama to expose the Rainbows in certain ways.

"(Alabama coach) Jim Wells has had one of the premier programs in the country for the past decade. He doesn't have two down years in a row," said Trapasso. "We're itching to go. Now it is time for us to go out and play and see what we've got."

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The team

A look at the 2005 Rainbows by position:

Catcher

Esteban Lopez, a junior who transferred from Yavapai College, turned down offers from the Philadelphia Phillies. He had a good fall swinging the bat. Defensively, he is the best at catching and throwing. Trapasso likes his demeanor behind the plate and says pitchers like throwing to him. Lopez will be backed by freshman Erik Ammon and junior Matt Inouye.

First base

Two junior college transfers, Luis Avila from Eastern Oklahoma State and Adam Roberts from Edmonds Community College, will share the position to start the season.

"Honestly, right now, it can be either one. I think both will do well and play quite a bit for us," Trapasso said. Both could DH if not in the field, and Roberts can play third base.

Second base

Junior Isaac Omura returns to the position he has held since joining the program.

"I wish we could keep him there for the next five years, but that is against the rules," Trapasso said. "I think he is poised for a great year."

Shortstop

Freshman Joe Spiers will start, but redshirt freshman Troy Hanzawa is going to play a lot.

"Joe has a lot of offensive potential and has the capability of being a very exciting player," Trapasso said. "Troy is much more consistent defensively. He puts you in a comfort zone because he is going to make the plays."

Third Base

Senior Schafer Magana is a veteran, plays good defense and hit well when he played third last year against high-velocity pitchers.

"He has been on fire this spring and has earned the spot," Trapasso said.

Redshirt freshman Jonathan Hee also could start. He has pushed Magana and continues to improve and work his tail off, according to Trapasso.

"Jonathan could be the first one off the bench in certain situations because he is very good at executing (at the plate)," Trapasso said. "Rocky Russo will definitely be in the lineup a great deal because of his bat. Right now he is recovering from a hamstring pull."

Outfielders

This is the position with the most depth. The top four outfielders who will play the most innings are Jose Castaneda, a transfer from Orange Coast College, senior returnees Greg Kish and Robbie Wilder, and Inouye.

Inouye is in center. If Trapasso goes with a right-handed lineup, Kish will be in left and Castaneda in right. If the lineup is left-handed, Wilder will be in left and Kish in right.

"Derek DuPree (a redshirt freshman outfielder) has played well since coming back (from semester break). He is a speed guy who could be first off the bench as a defensive replacement," Trapasso said. "He is a left-hander hitter, but right now he is stuck a bit in the numbers game.

Jeff Piaskowski, also an outfielder from Orange Coast, will see action as a designated hitter and pinch hitter.

Adding to the outfield depth is freshman Ryan Asato of Mid-Pacific Institute.

"Ryan swung the bat this fall and again in the spring. He will be a left-hander who hits for power before he is finished, although he is probably a year away," Trapasso said.

Pitchers

Senior right-handed returnees Ricky Bauer and Stephen Bryant, redshirt junior right-hander Colby Summer and Justin Costi, a right-hander from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, are the starters for the Alabama series. The order may be juggled depending on Bauer's recovery from possible food poisoning last weekend.

Junior college transfers Dean Turner and Larry Ellenbrook will be used in middle relief.

"They bring maturity and poise. They have command of their fastball and throw the offspeed pitch for strikes," Trapasso said.

Sophomore right-hander Steven Wright, freshman Myles Ioane, a left-hander with potential to start, and right-handed redshirt sophomore Rich Olsen are in the middle relief mix.

Juniors Guy McDowell, a right-hander, and transfer Kyle Thomas, a left-hander, along with Olsen, will set up right-handed sophomore closer Darrell Fisherbaugh. If Fisherbaugh can't go, it will be Olsen or McDowell finishing the game.

"We're lucky to have those three guys in the bullpen," Trapasso said.

"We have more pitching depth, but obviously we have to stay healthy. When we get to the WAC and take one of those four starters and add him to the bullpen, you feel pretty good about that."

Freshman first baseman/outfielder Steve Bralver, junior first baseman/outfielder Jonathan Combs, freshman right-hander Ronnie Loeffler, right-hander Keahi Rawlins (Tommy John surgery), junior infielder Brad Wark and sophomore left-hander Kaimi Mead will redshirt.

Left-hander Mark Rodrigues, who redshirted last year after having Tommy John surgery, still is not completely recovered and will apply for a medical redshirt year.

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2005 Rainbow schedule February Tomorrow: Alabama, 6:35 p.m. Friday: Alabama, 6:35 p.m. Saturday: Alabama, 6:35 p.m. Sunday: Alabama, 1:05 p.m. 17: Pacific, 6:35 p.m. 18: Pacific, 6:35 p.m. 19: Pacific, 4:05 p.m. 20: Pacific, 1:05 p.m. 24: Washington State, 6:35 p.m. 25: Washington State, 6:35 p.m. 26: Washington State, 6:35 p.m. 27: Washington State, 1:05 p.m. Rainbow Tournament March 1: UC Davis vs. South Florida, 10:30 a.m.; Louisiana-Lafayette vs. Wichita State, 2:30 p.m.; Hawaii vs. Sacramento State, 6:35 p.m. 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. 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. 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. 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: Florida State, 6:35 p.m. 11: Florida State, 6:35 p.m. 12: Florida State, 1:05 p.m. 15: Winthrop, 6:35 p.m. 16: Winthrop, 6:35 p.m. 18: Louisiana Tech (a), 6:35 p.m. 19: Louisiana Tech (a), 6:35 p.m. 20: Louisiana Tech (a), 1:05 p.m. 22: at Pacific. 25: at Fresno State (a). 26: at Fresno State (a). 27: at Fresno State (a). April 1: San Jose State (a), 6:35 p.m. 2: San Jose State (a), 1:05 p.m. 3: San Jose State (a), 1:05 p.m. 6: at San Francisco. 8: at Nevada (a). 9: at Nevada (a).10: at Nevada (a). 13: Hawaii Pacific, 6:35 p.m. 15: Rice (a), 6:35 p.m. 16: Rice (a), 6:35 p.m. 17: Rice (a), 1:05 p.m. 20: at California. 22: at San Jose State (a). 23: at San Jose State (a). 24: at San Jose State (a). 28: Nevada (a), 6:35 p.m. 29: Nevada (a), 6:35 p.m. 30: Nevada (a), 6:35 p.m. May 12: Fresno State (a), 6:35 p.m. 13: Fresno State (a), 6:35 p.m. 14: Fresno State (a), 1:05 p.m. 20: at Rice (a). 21: at Rice (a). 22: at Rice (a). 27: at Louisiana Tech (a). 28: at Louisiana Tech (a). 29: at Louisiana Tech (a). (a) -- Western Athletic Conference game. Home games at Les Murakami Stadium.