By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
If practice makes perfect, then the University of Hawai‘i baseball team knows why it is struggling on this California road trip.
Since leaving the evening of Feb. 19, the Rainbows have not been able to get in any full workouts because of inclement weather. A non-conference game at Sacramento State was postponed Feb. 21 and then canceled the next day because of rain.
Then they paid the price by getting swept in a Western Athletic Conference three-game series at Fresno State over the weekend.
While the Rainbows (7-8, 2-4 WAC) were able to hold batting practice in covered cages, they haven’t been able to conduct fielding practice because of wet grounds.
"It takes away something," UH acting coach Carl Furutani said. "We’re still trying to get acclimated."
The Rainbows have committed five errors in their last two games.
The weather might be improving for the Rainbows, who start a three-game series at San Jose State tomorrow. The Spartans (7-6-1, 2-3), who saw the second game of a doubleheader against Texas Christian postponed because of rain on Sunday, played a nonconference game in Berkeley yesterday, losing to California, 5-3.
The Spartans’ top two starters are Chris Sherman (1-2, 3.12 ERA) and Tim Adinolfi (2-2, 5.21 ERA).
Despite a four-game losing streak, Furutani does not plan any major changes to the starting rotation or lineup. Jeff Coleman (1-2, 3.68 ERA), Sean Yamashita (0-1, 4.12 ERA) and Chad Giannetti (1-2, 5.06 ERA) are expected to start.
Meanwhile, first baseman Danny Kimura (hamstring) and outfielder Derek Honma (shoulder) are still day-to-day, but might be available in reserve roles.
The series will be broadcast live on KCCN (AM 1420). Tomorrow’s game is set for 3 p.m., Friday’s at 5 p.m. and Saturday’s at 10 a.m. (all Hawai‘i times).
HAWAI‘I-HILO
 Home cooking: The Vulcans (3-14, 2-7 WAC), back from an 0-for-Texas road trip, have a three-game series against the class of the conference: Rice (13-3, 3-0).
Games are 1 p.m. Saturday, and 6 p.m. Sunday and Monday at Hilo’s Wong Stadium.
After winning their last two home games against WAC newcomer Nevada, the Vulcans went to Texas, where they were swept in three-game series by Texas Christian and Rice.
Rice lost a nonconference game yesterday against Southwest Texas State, 4-3. The Owls play at Sam Houston State today before leaving for the Big Island.
The Vulcans enter the series with a team batting average of .228 and an average of 2.53 runs per game. Both statistics are last in the WAC.
Outfielder Ryan Petersen is the only starter with at least 53 plate appearances who is batting over .300.
Rice leads the conference in earned-run average (1.87) and is second in batting average (.301).
None of the Owls’ three starters has an ERA over 2.00. Preseason All-American Kenny Baugh (2-0, 0.82 ERA), Jon Skaggs (3-0, 1.52 ERA) and Jonathan Gonzalez (3-1, 1.96 ERA) have gotten the Owls off to a strong start. Baugh, a senior, opted to return after the Oakland Athletics made him their fifth-round draft pick last summer.
HAWAI‘I PACIFIC
Toro, Toro, Toro: The Cal State-Dominguez Hills Toros invade Hans L’Orange Park in Waipahu for three doubleheaders against the Sea Warriors.
Today’s, Friday’s and Sunday’s starting times are 4 p.m. All games are scheduled for seven innings.
The Toros (4-6), like the Sea Warriors (6-6), have lost their last two games.
Last weekend, the Sea Warriors split four with George Fox (Newberg, Ore.). The 12-4 win on Feb. 22 marked the 100th career coaching victory for Allan Sato, now in his sixth season at HPU.
Senior Tyrus Matsumoto leads the Sea Warriors with four home runs after not hitting one last year. Last year’s team leader, Gabe Gerhardt, hit six.
The Toros’ top slugger is Steve Hindman, who leads the team with five homers and a .425 batting average in 10 games.
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