Rainbows tune up against alumni

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

•	Game facts WHEN: Saturday, 1 p.m. WHERE: Les Murakami Stadium TICKETS: Open-seating general admission. $5 adults, $4 ages 65 and older, $3 students PARKING: $3 TV/RADIO: None

The Rainbows (30-26 overall, 11-19 Western Athletic Conference) open the regular season Jan. 30 with a three-game series against the fifth-ranked Texas Longhorns, the 2002 national champions, at Murakami Stadium.

Hawai'i coach Mike Trapasso, beginning his third season, has 15 returnees, including six position players who saw considerable action, and 19 newcomers. All 34 players are from Trapasso's regime.

He said most of the position players are expected to play Saturday, with the pitchers likely being newcomers. Opening night starter Ricky Bauer is not expected to pitch as the staff tries to get into rhythm for the season. Bauer (3-5, 3.12 ERA) was the team's most consistent starter from about the halfway point of last season.

Other returning pitchers include sophomores Rich Olsen, Guy McDowell and Keahi Rawlins. Clary Carlsen, a senior, will be used in multiple roles, from spot starter, long reliever to closer.

The Rainbows also expect a boost in the rotation with left-hander Mark Rodrigues, a JC transfer who was drafted out of Kaua'i High in 2001 by Montreal and Los Medanos JC in 2002 by Oakland.

The infield returns intact with senior Andrew Sansaver at first, sophomore Isaac Omura at second and senior Brian Finegan at shortstop. Sophomore Rocky Russo, who started the season at third, also returns, but is battling freshman Mike Griffin, a member of the Canadian national team.

Sophomore Matt Inouye, who played in the outfield most of last season, will spend more time at catcher this season, Trapasso said. Inouye fills the spot vacated by Brian Bock, who signed with Baltimore (14th round).

The outfield has a mixture of returnees and newcomers. Jaziel Mendoza and Josh Green return in left and right fields, respectively. Junior college transfer Robbie Wilder will play center.

"He's a true lead-off hitter," Trapasso said of Wilder's ability to reach base and steal.

Power-hitting Nate Thurber, another JC transfer, will share time in left and at designated hitter. Greg Kish, a transfer from Oklahoma, could also see time in right field.

Tickets for the Alumni game are $5 for adults, $4 for ages 65 and older and $3 for students. All tickets are general admission with open seating for this game only.

A list of alumni players was not available as of yesterday.

TICKETS

Individual game tickets for the season go on sale Monday.

Ticket prices for the regular season are $6 for blue and orange sections, $5 red section for adults, $4 red section for ages 65 and older, and $3 for UH students and students ages 4-18.

Ticket pricing for the March 2-6 First Hawaiian Title Rainbow Baseball Tournament are $1 higher for each category. There are two games each day of the tournament, which will no longer be held during the school's week-long spring break.

Tickets are on sale at the Stan Sheriff Center ticket office, at www.etickethawaii.com or at 944-BOWS, the Aloha Stadium ticket office, the UH Campus Center, Rainbowtique at Ward Centre and the Windward Community College OCET office.

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