The Rainbows (7-5 WAC, 23-13 overall), coming off a 6-5 win at San Francisco on Wednesday, have won their past three WAC series since losing 2 of 3 at Rice.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs (5-7, 17-24) have lost 3 of 4 WAC series. The only WAC series they have won was against Louisiana Tech (2 of 3). Fresno State was picked to finish second in a preseason poll of WAC coaches. Hawai'i was picked third. This is the first meeting of the season between the teams.

While UH won last year's season series, 4-2, including a sweep at Les Murakami Stadium, the Bulldogs still figure to be a formidable foe. Fresno State has won 12 of its past 18 against UH.

"Their team has been playing better of late," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "Early on, they were struggling, but they've been pitching better of late."

Despite pitching in relief Wednesday, Ricky Bauer (6-2, 3.17) will start tonight for UH. He threw only four pitches to strike out the last batter of the game against USF.

"He's good to go," Trapasso said.

Although relievers Guy McDowell, Keahi Rawlins and Darrell Fisherbaugh all pitched at least two innings, they are available for relief duty today, if needed, Trapasso said.

Stephen Bryant (5-2, 2.03) will start tomorrow and Clary Carlsen (6-4, 2.69) Sunday for UH.

Fresno State's probable starters are, in order, right-handers Michael Cooper (2-6, 5.64) and Matt Garza (2-2, 5.58), and left-hander Brandon Miller (3-3, 4.93).

Garza, however, has not started since March 13 against Brigham Young. Although the Bulldogs won 10-9, he did not figure in the decision. He leads the team with five saves.

Cooper has been winless in his past four starts, while Miller has won two of his past three starts.

Most of the UH starting lineup is set, but Schafer Magana has spelled third baseman Rocky Russo and second baseman Isaac Omura on occasions. How Magana is used depends on how the pitching matchups project against Russo and Omura, Trapasso said.

"Schafer might start at second if they use a lefty," Trapasso said. "But Isaac's been swinging a hot bat, so we'll wait and see."

Omura, who was hitting below .200 while battling injuries earlier in the season, is among the team's leaders in batting with a .359 average.

Magana has steadily raised his batting average to .283.

Matt Inouye (.359) has hit consistently well from the start. He hit his team-leading 17th double on Wednesday and leads the Rainbows with 31 RBIs.

Like Hawai'i, Fresno State is coming off a win, averting a sweep at Nevada with a 12-8 win on Sunday.

Outfielder Richie Robnett leads the Bulldogs in batting average (.335), doubles (15), home runs (seven), steals (13), walks (24) and RBIs (32). His 15-game hitting streak is tied for the best in the WAC with Nevada's Jacob Butler.

Hawai'i needs to win the series to at least remain in second place in the WAC. Third-place Nevada (6-6), which plays at San Jose State (6-12), is one game back of UH.

The games will be broadcast live on KKEA 1420 AM, today and tomorrow at 3:30 p.m. HST and Sunday at 10 a.m. HST.