While the 2009 baseball season ended with tons of question marks, 2010 begins without much uncertainty.

The Hawaii Rainbows held their first spring practice yesterday, 31 days before they open the regular season against Oregon State at Les Murakami Stadium on Feb. 19.

The field was littered with familiar faces as Hawaii returns six offensive starters and all but two of its main pitchers from last season's 32-26 campaign.

The most notable returnee however is coach Mike Trapasso, who is back for his ninth season after signing a one-year contract extension in the offseason.

The Rainbows have again put together a tough nonconference schedule that includes 2009 NCAA tournament teams Oregon State, Cal State Fullerton, San Diego and Gonzaga. UH also hosts four-time defending Western Athletic Conference champion Fresno State, Southern California and Oregon.

“;It's a good schedule, but I think we have a lot of talent,”; said senior first baseman Kevin Macdonald, whose 14 home runs as a junior were the third most in school history.

The Rainbows also return reigning WAC freshman of the year Kolten Wong, who will replace Ryan Morford at second base after playing in center field last season.

“;Second base is where I've wanted to play,”; said Wong, who spent last summer on the USA National Team that played around the world in both Japan and Canada.

Hawaii's biggest injury concern entering the spring is the arm of junior Sam Spangler. The lefty, who turned down a pro contract after he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates last summer to return to school, will not throw off the mound until next week at the earliest as he rests a tired arm.

“;We just want to shut him down for 10 to 12 days and not rush him into things,”; Trapasso said. “;He'll just get a later start and will have to spend time catching up to the other guys.”;

Spangler, like Jayson Kramer a season ago, was in the process of building up arm strength as he transitioned into a starter's role. If his arm doesn't heal, and he's forced to pitch out of the bullpen, Hawaii still has a lot of talent at the top of the rotation.

Senior Nate Klein and sophomore Matt Sisto combined to start 23 games last year and sophomore Connor Little went 3-0 as a freshman and showed signs of maturity and improvement in the fall.

“;Connor had a really good fall,”; Trapasso said. “;Our young guys going from freshman to their sophomore years showed a lot of growth physically and emotionally.”;

Trapasso also singled out the play of three local recruits. Infielder Pi'ikea Kitamura, outfielder Breland Almadova and Kapolei graduate Kalani Brackenridge all left a lasting impression on their coach in the fall.

“;Pi'ikea is going to be a star,”; Trapasso said. “;He might be a year or two away with the bat, but his work ethic and his toughness are tremendous and his defense is outstanding.

“;I expect all three to get significant playing time.”;

Fans will get their first chance to see Hawaii in action in its annual alumni game Feb. 13.