Vulcans come in ready, but rusty

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

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Series facts WHO: Hawai'i-Hilo (4-11) vs. Hawai'i-Manoa (5-5) WHERE: Les Murakami Stadium PROBABLE STARTERS: Tomorrow, 6:35 p.m. — UHH LH John Matson (1-0, 1.89) vs. UH RH Ricky Bauer (2-1, 1.96) Saturday, 6:35 p.m. — UHH LH Scott Siegfried (0-2, 6.30) vs. UH TBA Sunday, 1:05 p.m. — UHH RH Brian Ebbs (0-1, 6.59) vs. UH TBA TICKETS: $6 blue and orange sections, $5 adults in red section, $4 for 65 and older in red section, $3 for UH students and students ages 4-18 in red section. PARKING: $3 RADIO: KKEA AM 1420 will broadcast tomorrow's and Sunday's games live. TV: KFVE channel 5 will broadcast tomorrow's and Sunday's games live.

Such is the life of UH-Hilo (4-11), which will play a three-game series against UH-Manoa (5-5) tomorrow through Sunday at Les Murakami Stadium.

While the Rainbows are coming off a 10-2 win against Hawai'i Pacific Tuesday night for their fourth consecutive win, the Vulcans have not played since Feb. 1. They have lost four in a row, including a three-game sweep by Division II HPU.

"I saw a lot of bright spots when we played Kansas (Jan. 16-19) and especially against San Diego State (Jan. 23-26)," UHH coach Joey Estrella said. "Then we didn't play well against Hawai'i Pacific. Hawai'i Pacific played well and deservingly so HPU just took it to us. I was kind of disappointed with that. When we came back after that series, we started like it was spring again and went back to basics. Hopefully, it helps this weekend."

Estrella said the Vulcans have kept themselves busy with intra-squad scrimmages.

"It's not as great as playing, but it's OK," Estrella said. "We had situations where a lot of guys got sick, but we should be healthy and ready to go."

The Vulcans at least have a starting rotation for the series. It's one that the Rainbows literally have to look up to. Left-hander John Matson (1-0, 1.89 ERA) is 6 feet 6, left-hander Scott Siegfried (0-2, 6.30) is 6-3 and right-hander Brian Ebbs (0-1, 6.59 ) is 6-4.

The Rainbows have Ricky Bauer (2-1, 1.96) for the opener. He will be followed with pitchers known only by their initials: TBA.

Once again, it will be day-to-day with a Rainbows' rotation that revolves around how and when Clary Carlsen is used.

If Carlsen closes tomorrow and Saturday, he is unlikely to start Sunday. He could start Sunday if he only closes Friday or does not have to pitch in relief at all the first two games, as happened last weekend against Florida International.

Carlsen (1-2, 3.44) has had two effective starts this season after pitching solely in relief last year, when he was 4-3 with a 2.08 ERA and team-leading five saves.

It is not as if the Rainbows don't have options for starters. Stephen Bryant gave up three runs, all unearned, in six innings in his starting debut against Florida International. Also, freshman Steven Wright pitched one-hit ball in five scoreless innings against HPU Tuesday night. Wright's pitch count was limited to 90 (he threw 91) so he would be available to start, possibly Sunday, if needed.

Manoa won all three meetings against Hilo last year.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.