Rainbow baseball team in need of timely hits

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

In search of some clutch hitting, the University of Hawai'i baseball team will open a three-game series with UC Irvine starting tomorrow at Les Murakami Stadium.

"I'd like to see us a little more aggressive at the plate," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "We need to get more consistent, move the ball a little more. When the infield's in, we need the fly ball with the runner on third, and when the infield's back with a runner on third, we need that ground ball to the middle of the field."

A little more offense would complement the Rainbows' improved pitching and fielding from last season. Trapasso will stick with the same starting rotation. Bryan Lee (2-0, 3.71 ERA) starts tomorrow, Aaron Pribble (2-0, 3.18) Saturday and Chris George (0-0, 5.79) Sunday. All average at least 6¡ innings per start.

This is a bit of a crucial week for the Rainbows, as they open WAC play next week against league favorite Rice (10-2), ranked fourth in the nation by Baseball America.

Trapasso wants to evaluate more players, but the Rainbows have been in many close games, only two have been decided by more than three runs.

"I'd like to get those guys out some more, but every game we've been playing the last three weeks have been going down to the wire, one- or two-run games, so we have to stick with the guys who've had the hot hand for us," Trapasso said.

For example, catcher Brian Bock has started all but one game (against Sacramento State). But Bock ended up pinch-hitting in the sixth inning and stayed in to catch in that game.

Trapasso said he is impressed with freshman shortstop Jason Carlson. But incumbent shortstop Cortland Wilson has hit well (.439 on-base average) and improved on his fielding from last season.

The starting pitchers are lasting into the seventh inning. And when they falter, the middle relievers have been effective enough to pitch into the late innings. So pitchers with bright futures like freshmen Ricky Bauer and Jason Piepmeier have a tough time getting work.

Meanwhile, UC Irvine (9-9) ended a five-game losing streak yesterday with an 8-2 win at Pepperdine. Irvine was predicted to finish third in the Big West and claim an NCAA regional berth.

This is Irvine's first season back in baseball since the school dropped the sport after the 1992 season. Coach John Savage did have 1 1/2 years to recruit a team made up of 24 freshmen and 12 junior college transfers.

The Anteaters have better talent than most upstart programs because their primary recruiting area — Southern California — is one of the best in the country.

JC transfers Sean Tracey (2-1, 2.51), tomorrow's scheduled starter, and Paul French (1-3, 5.97), possibly Sunday's starter, are possible draft selections in June.

Notes: UH senior outfielder Derek Honma will not be available for the series because of a fractured left hamate (wrist) bone, UH coach Mike Trapasso said. He injured it during his first at-bat in last Friday's game against BYU. He still managed to finish the game, batting 2 for 4 with a double and walk. ... Also pitcher Ian Jones will be out the rest of the season, as he is scheduled to have elbow surgery March 8, Trapasso said. It takes at least a year of rehabilitation after having the same procedure that former major leaguer Tommy John had made famous in the 1970s. Jones missed the entire 2001 season because of the injury and has not made an appearance this season.