Part of the resiliency this year's Hawaii baseball team has shown comes from the obstacles this senior class has overcome.

Whether it's been injury, limited playing time or unforeseen struggles, the seven-member class has had an unconscionable share of ups-and-downs.

“;The senior class that showed up without a lucky rabbit's foot,”; Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said. “;It's unfortunate, but they've definitely left their mark on the program.”;

Sunday marks the final home game of the season for Hawaii seniors Nate Klein, Kevin Macdonald, Christian Johnson, Josh Chevalier, Harrison Kuroda, Matt Roquemore and Kevin Fujii.

Some, like Klein and Johnson, won't see the field as they recover from injuries. Others like Chevalier, Fujii and Kuroda have had limited playing time, while Macdonald and Roquemore both admit their senior seasons could have gone much better.

But the beauty is, Sunday's not the end by any means. Hawaii (23-22, 6-10 Western Athletic Conference) is in the middle of a race to clinch a berth in the WAC tournament. After Sunday's finale against New Mexico State, the Rainbows still have a road series at San Jose State before the tournament in Mesa, Ariz.

For Johnson and Klein, it gives them time to rehab injuries and hope there are college games still to play. Chevalier, Fujii and Kuroda all know they have to be ready at any time, as evidenced by Fujii's performance stepping in for Landon Hernandez in last year's WAC tournament, earning all-tourney honors.

Roquemore and Macdonald have played the most of the bunch, and the final eight regular-season games are a chance to put the ending on a senior year they envisioned way back at the beginning of fall ball.

“;It's not what we expected this year, but hey, if we win the tournament and make a regional, it's all good,”; Macdonald said. “;That's the way I look at it. It hasn't really clicked for me all year, I haven't really got in a rhythm, and it's too bad, but there's still (at least eight) games left and you never know.”;

Roquemore, a fifth-year senior who earned a medical hardship year in 2006, has started at all three outfield positions this season and has split equal time with junior Sean Montplaisir. Neither has been able to separate himself to lock down a full-time starting spot, but Roquemore has shown signs of breaking out with six hits in his last six games.

“;Right now is the time, especially as seniors, to seize the moment,”; Roquemore said. “;Everything will play out over the next two weeks and if we take care of what we need to do, we'll have a chance to make a run.”;

Nobody on the team has had worse luck than Klein and Johnson, two guys who at times looked ready to carry the Rainbows both on the mound and offensively.

Klein allowed a total of five earned runs in starts against nationally ranked Oregon State and Oregon to start the year, but hasn't been able to fully come back from a shoulder injury suffered against his former team, Southern California, in March.

Johnson, in his second year with the team since transferring home from Central Arizona Community College, went on a tear to open WAC play. He was 8-for-15 with three homers and five RBIs in six league games before suffering a shoulder injury diving for a foul ball at Louisiana Tech.

“;I started slow and worked my way into the lineup and felt like I was getting hot, but, unfortunately I got hurt and there's nothing really you can do about it,”; Johnson said.

Kuroda can relate to what Johnson and Klein are going through. After an outstanding high school career at Mid-Pacific, Kuroda came to UH with high hopes, but a freak shoulder injury has kept him from completely rediscovering his form.

“;It wasn't how I thought my career would pan out,”; Kuroda said. “;After the first year I came back I was at a point where I was throwing JV fastballs and it was the one time I had doubt, but things started to come together and the coaches stayed with me and it's truly been the best six years of my life.”;

All seven seniors will be honored after Sunday's 1:05 p.m. game. The series starts tonight with a game at 6:35 and continues tomorrow with a doubleheader at 3:35 p.m. Hawaii has Saturday off for graduation ceremonies.