Situation dictates starters for series against Nevada

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i pitcher Chris George will take a 4-2 record into tonight's series opener against Nevada. Advertiser library photo • Feb. 14, 2003 What: Western Athletic Conference baseball Who: Nevada (1-2 WAC, 9-13 overall) vs. Hawai'i (1-5, 14-9) When: 5:35 tonight, 6:35 p.m. tomorrow, 1:05 p.m. Sunday Where: Les Murakami Stadium Parking: $3 Tickets: $6 blue and orange levels; $5 red level (adults); $4 red level (65-older, students K-12 and UH students with IDs) Radio: KKEA 1420-AM TV: K5, Sunday only Series history: Nevada leads series 9-7; Nevada won 5 of 6 last season, including the last five in a row. Probable starters: Tonight—UN RH Mateo Miramontes (3-1, 3.63) vs. UH RH Chris George (4-2, 4.19) Tomorrow—UN RH J.T. Sherman (2-3, 6.07) vs. UH TBA Sunday—UN RH Eddie Bonine (1-4, 4.50) vs. UH TBA

The Rainbows (1-5 WAC, 14-9 overall) have tonight's starting pitcher down in right-hander Chris George (4-2), but the remainder of the series is on a by-situation basis. It might seem unconventional since most teams, like the Wolf Pack, have a set rotation, but this weekend's approach has really been UH's plan all season. But this is the first time this season it will be implemented by UH coach Mike Trapasso.

"Truth is we've kind of gone all year with the same approach, the same idea," Trapasso said. "We want to try to win the first game the first night, then worry about Saturday on Saturday and worry about Sunday on Sunday. It just worked out where we've stuck with the same starters. We may do that again. We're focusing on using that approach to see if we can get back into the WAC race."

Before losing projected starters Justin Azze and Colby Summer, previous Saturday and Sunday starters Justin Cayetano and Ricky Bauer figured to be spot starters or situational relievers. Except for JC transfers Clary Carlsen and Nick Ponomarenko and senior Bryan Lee, Trapasso has had to press his five freshmen pitchers into situations that might have been better for experienced pitchers. The past couple of series has been rough and Trapasso feels his pitchers need to pitch aggressively.

"The Rice series got our guys kind of gun shy," he said. "We just need to regroup."

With to-be-named starters for Saturday and Sunday, Trapasso can use Cayetano or Bauer on Friday if a favorable relief situation arises. Otherwise, either could start again. He said there are four pitchers in the mix who could start: Cayetano, Bauer, and freshmen Rich Olsen and Keahi Rawlins. Olsen and Rawlins have made starts this season.

Freshman right-hander Reid Horton, who had made only one appearance before his first official start Wednesday against Coastal Carolina, might get more appearances, Trapasso said.

"He's been biding his time," Trapasso said. "His off-speed pitches were fine. He has shown he can come in and help us."

Tonight's concern is Nevada right-hander Mateo Miramontes (3-1, 3.83 ERA), the WAC Pitcher of the Week this past week after beating San Jose State, 5-1. He faced 28 batters, or just one over the minimum in firing a two-hitter. Miramontes beat the Rainbows twice last year. He pitched a five-hit shutout with eight strikeouts and no walks here on April 5. At Reno, Miramontes gave up 10 runs (one unearned) in 6¡ innings and still won.

"That was probably the best-pitched game against us all year," Trapasso said of the April 5 game. "He's coming off an outstanding game. He's one of the better pitchers in our league, so we have to pitch well to have a chance."

The Wolf Pack (1-2, 9-13) are coming off losing 2 of 3 to San Jose State last weekend.