The University of Hawai'i' junior right-handed pitcher has been the team's most efficient pitcher since the middle of last season. He is tonight's starter against the eighth-ranked Texas Longhorns, the 2002 national champions.

For Bauer, it isn't about power. It's all about command. In his two seasons with UH, he has 101 strikeouts in 170· innings, but has walked only 21. He was 3-5 with a 3.12 earned run average last season.

In a good outing, the infielders work for Bauer. The outfielders might get an occasional lazy fly.

"He's thrown very consistent in the fall and in all of his outings this spring," UH coach Mike Trapasso said of his very first recruit back in the summer of 2001. "He's been the same, been pitching down in the zone. He's been the Ricky we all know and love."

When Bauer pitches, little time is wasted. Despite lacking an overpowering fastball last year, he was able to put his pitches in the strike zone, but in places where batters could not make maximum contact.

"I know I don't have any overpowering stuff, so I have to keep the ball down and let my defense work for me," said Bauer, who is listed at 6 feet 2 and 172 pounds.

In an effort to give his pitches more life, coaches lowered his arm angle. The changes were soon evident. His fastball had more movement, his breaking pitches had a tight spin. In his next start against Western Illinois in the Easter Tournament, Bauer threw 75 pitches in a complete-game 9-1 victory. Usually, throwing less than 120 pitches in nine innings is a good outing. Seventy-five was beyond comprehension.

"Movement is probably the main thing," Bauer said. "Over the top, you're forcing your fastballs and they're bound to be more straight. If you drop it (the arm angle), the way the ball comes off your finger tips, you will get more run and more action to your fastball."

Lowering his arm angle made his pitches hard to hit. But even before that, Bauer knew how to throw strikes with consistency since he pitched for Mid-Pacific Institute, where he was an Advertiser All-State selection as a senior in 2001. Bauer credits his father, John, and high school pitching coach, Craig Hayashi, for getting him fundamentally sound at an early age.

"My pitching coach in high school really refined it," he said.

Bauer, who was drafted in the 39th round by the Boston Red Sox after high school, is eligible for the draft after this season. Trapasso said Bauer has since added some velocity to his fastball, reaching the mid- to upper-80-mph range. Bauer spent the summer in the Cape Cod League, where prospects showcase their talent for scouts.

"He's got a pitcher's body, has a loose arm," Trapasso said. "If he shows the kind of velocity he showed this summer and fall, he puts himself in position to get drafted."

But all Bauer is thinking about is the task tonight.

"It's an honor," Bauer said of the opening-night assignment. "I'll be a little nervous, like everybody would be on opening night. I think the Cape prepared me pretty well for situations like this, when we face Rice, Texas — the bigger name schools. I mean, I'm not looking at them any different. I try to do everything the same every day and don't try to fool around."

• Eyes of Texas: Although Texas hasn't played Hawai'i since the 1980 Regional, one Rainbow has seen the Longhorns recently.

Oklahoma transfer Greg Kish, an outfielder, faced Texas the past two seasons. He has faced all three of the Longhorns' probable starters.

Texas ace J. P. Howell, a left-hander and preseason All-American, has command of four pitches, Kish said. Justin Simmons, another left-hander who was 16-1 with a 2.52 ERA two seasons ago, also has good command and likes to work away from hitters, Kish said. Right-hander Sam LeCure is the hardest thrower among the three, Kish added.

Kish, a junior from Redondo Beach, Calif., said he transferred to UH because he felt Oklahoma "wasn't right for me," despite starting in 31 games and batting .311. Kish said that when UH coach Mike Trapasso was still at Georgia Tech, he tried recruiting him out of high school to play for the Yellow Jackets.

"I'm really enjoying it so far," Kish said of his UH experience.

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

UPCOMING UH GAMES

FEBRUARY
6-7—Cal State Northridge, 6:05 p.m.
8—Cal State Northridge 1:05 p.m.
13-14—Florida International, 6:35 p.m.
15—Florida International, 1:05 p.m.
17—Hawai'i Pacific, 6:35 p.m.
20-21—UH-Hilo, 6:35 p.m.
22—UH-Hilo, 1:05 p.m.
27-28—San Francisco, 6:35 p.m.
29—San Francisco, 1:05 p.m.