SB FILE / APRIL 2004 Hawaii starting pitcher Ricky Bauer, a Mid-Pacific Institute graduate, went 8-4 last season with a 3.60 earned-run average.

Bauer trying
to add power

The righty is expected to start
tonight when Hawaii opens its
season against Alabama

Ricky Bauer is scheduled to make his second consecutive season-opening start tonight when Hawaii plays Alabama in the first of a four-game series at Les Murakami Stadium.

Alabama at Hawaii When: Today, tomorrow 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.

If he is recovered sufficiently from a weekend bout with suspected food poisoning, the senior right-hander will be appearing in his 52nd game and starting for the 43rd time.

It makes little difference to Bauer whether it is opening night, the first game of a series or an occasional relief stint.

"I just go out there and pitch and focus on my game. When you haven't seen an opponent, it might make it easier because you are not worried about a certain pitch to a batter. You can always make adjustments as you go through the lineup," said Bauer.

"I want to get ground balls, keep the pitch count down, and that keeps me in the game."

The Mid-Pacific Institute graduate is coming off an 8-4 junior season, one in which he had a 3.60 earned-run average and, in 115 innings, walked just 12 and fanned 72.

"Ricky's strength is his demeanor, poise and maturity on the mound," Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said. "He has always had it, even as a freshman.

"One of the reasons why he has such good command of his pitches is because he has command of his emotions."

"I can't stand it when I walk people," said Bauer, named preseason Western Athletic Conference Pitcher of the Year by a vote of league coaches. "I really get on myself for that. Otherwise, it is pitch by pitch, inning by inning out there.

LUCY PEMONI / LPEMONI@STARBULLETIN.COM Ricky Bauer hopes to be drafted after this, his senior, season.

The preseason honor is nice, he says, but he would rather earn the same accolade at the end of the season.

Bauer continued his impressive pitching last summer for the Madison (Wis.) Mallards, winners of the Northwoods League's South Division and playoff title. In 65 2/3 innings, he walked 12, struck out 46, compiled a 2.60 ERA and held opposing batters to a .195 average. He also worked on two potential improvements.

"I really wanted to try and use my lower body (legs) more to gain some velocity. I also wanted to develop a curveball," said Bauer, who already has command of a fastball, slider and changeup. "The curveball is still coming along. I continue to work on it and will spin a few here and there.

"I know I'm using my legs more because they are sore, but my velocity hasn't changed much. The last time I threw in intrasquad it topped out at 88-89 miles an hour."

Bauer and Greg Kish are the co-captains this year. Bauer says that doesn't really involve too much responsibility on his part other than going out and leading by example.

"This group is pretty mature and everyone handles their own business," Bauer said. "I haven't had to get on anybody for not doing something, because everyone follows the program pretty well."

The sociology major says his main goal is to win the WAC title, go to a regional and play at the next level when his Rainbow career is finished.

Drafted out of MPI in the 39th round by the Boston Red Sox, the 6-foot-2, 175-pounder was not drafted last year. He says an increase in his velocity might help his chances in the 2005 draft.

"I've got to find a way to put on some weight, some how, some way," said Bauer, who would like to add 10 pounds. "I've been trying to do that ever since high school."

Disappointed at not being drafted last year, Bauer turned that feeling into a positive.

"As it turns out, this is the perfect year for us to try for a WAC championship and a regional," Bauer said.

It would be a fitting finish to the career of Trapasso's first Rainbow recruit.

Short hops: Hawaii and Alabama have never met on the diamond. ... Trapasso is starting his fourth season at the helm. He is 70-99 (.414) with the Rainbows. ... Crimson Tide coach Jim Wells is in his 10th season at Alabama and has a record of 409-176 (.699) with Alabama. ... Hawaii is 22-8 in season openers at Les Murakami Stadium, the former Rainbow Stadium.