HPU reeling going into UH game

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

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UH BASEBALL WHO: Hawai'i Pacific (6-10) vs. Hawai'i (14-7) WHEN: 6:35 p.m. Saturday WHERE: Les Murakami Stadium HISTORY: Hawai'i leads series, 24-2; UH won last meeting, 10-2, on Feb. 17 TICKETS: $6 blue and orange sections; $5 adults in red section; $4 65-years-and-older in red section; $3 students ages 4-18 and UH students. PARKING: $3 RADIO: KKEA (1420 AM) will broadcast the game live. TV: KFVE channel 5 will broadcast the game live. PROBABLE STARTERS: Saturday — HPU LH Kai Austin (1-1, 3.00) vs. UH RH Ricky Bauer (5-1, 1.93)

The Sea Warriors (6-10) are trying to snap a four-game skid after losing 5 of 6 to Tampa, ranked first in Division II. But HPU will have to do it against Division I Hawai'i, 6:35 p.m. Saturday at Les Murakami Stadium.

The Rainbows (14-7) are coming off winning their own tournament and are on a five-game winning streak. Although the series has been lopsided (UH leads, 24-2), the games have their purposes.

"We like to see good competition," HPU coach Allan Sato said. "It's tremendous that we can play them because they (the Rainbows) have nothing to gain. The opportunity is good for our guys."

Sato said he appreciates that UH coach Mike Trapasso fits the Sea Warriors on his schedule. Hawai'i beat HPU earlier this season, 10-2.

But the games also do help UH to some degree. The mid-week games — although this one is a mid-weekend game — give UH a chance to look at players who don't get a chance to play during weekend series.

However, to keep his ace in rhythm, Trapasso said right-hander Ricky Bauer (5-1) will start.

The Sea Warriors will counter with left-hander Kai Austin (1-1), who got HPU's sole victory against Tampa. Austin allowed two unearned runs on three hits in five innings in a 7-2 win on March 6. Sean Paiva provided two scoreless innings of relief in the scheduled seven-inning game.

"He's been hard luck early on," Sato said of Austin. "He has command of all of his pitches this year. I'm glad to see him start coming around."

The game is the only one for the Rainbows this week. It comes after they played eight games in nine days and before they open Western Athletic Conference play at defending league and national champion Rice.

Trapasso said the schedule was designed to give the team a breather after the tournament to regroup for the conference opener.

Center fielder Robbie Wilder (hamstring), left fielder Jaziel Mendoza (ankle) and catcher Matt Inouye (shoulder) have aches that rest should heal, Trapasso said.

Otherwise, the Rainbows are fine. Sophomore third baseman Rocky Russo had a hot week, batting .471 with eight RBIs and was named the Most Outstanding Player in the Rainbow Tournament. He also was named WAC Player of the Week.

After Saturday, UH won't be home until April 2 for an eight-game homestand.

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