Rested Rainbows open WAC season against Rice
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
As Hawai'i prepares for its Western Athletic Conference opener at Rice, it tries not to give it more importance than any other conference series it will have this season.
But for the Rainbows (14-7), it's only human nature to treat the series with a little more urgency. After all, the Owls (14-5, 3-0 WAC) are defending conference and national champions.
"It's three games in a 30-game (conference) season," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "When you look at league play, that counts the same as all the other three games (series). Obviously, there's a little more significance to it because of the fun factor, that you're playing the defending national champs and they've got most of their guys back and are looking to repeat."
The Rainbows, who are on a five-game win streak, are eager, but not necessarily because they are playing the Owls, who are fifth in Baseball America's national rankings. A rainout against Hawai'i Pacific on Saturday has left UH idle since March 6. It isn't as if the break wasn't welcomed, as the Rainbows had some injuries to heal. Center fielder Robbie Wilder (hamstring), catcher/outfielder Matt Inouye (left shoulder) and left fielder Jaziel Mendoza (ankle) were hurting a couple of weeks ago.
"It looks like everybody will be ready to go on Friday," Trapasso said. "The layoff brings about a little bit of the unknown. Yet, we've won 13 of 15 and our kids are playing with a lot of confidence and are excited to go on the road for the first time this year.
"Again, it's not about who we're playing and where we're playing. It's more about ourselves and if we can take care of business and play with the energy and toughness we've played with, particularly in our last five games. We feel good about our chances no matter who we're playing."
What the Rainbows found in their win streak — the five games of their own tournament — was a little stability in the pitching staff. With freshman Darrell Fisherbaugh showing poise to become UH's closer, that defined Clary Carlsen's role solely as a starter. Carlsen had been a third-game starter in three-game series, if he wasn't needed in the first two games as a closer.
Fisherbaugh got his team-leading two saves in the tournament, but more impressive is his 25 strikeouts in 16¡ innings.
"He can get you out of a jam because he can get you that strikeout when you need one, even though we don't look at getting strikeouts," Trapasso said. "But a lot of times as a closer you come in in a tight situation where you need (a strikeout). It's been very big for him to step up the way he has."
Also making strong contributions from the bullpen are Guy McDowell and Rich Olsen. Both are capable of being used in closing situations, Trapasso said. Each has one save.
With that, the UH starting rotation has been stabilized. Reliable Ricky Bauer (5-1, 1.93) starts tomorrow's series opener with Stephen Bryant (2-1, 4.96) starting Saturday and Carlsen (3-3, 3.89) Sunday. They will be pitted against what is considered the top rotation in the country in Wade Townsend (4-0, 2.00), Jeff Niemann (2-2, 3.49) and Philip Humber (3-1, 1.91). The three juniors are projected first-round selections in the big league draft in June. Even mid-week starter Josh Baker (3-1, 2.81), also a junior, is a pro prospect.
"The key is and always has been quality starts," Trapasso said. "If you get quality starts, it gives you a chance. That's what we have to do on this trip if we're going to be successful."
But Rice isn't only about pitching. It has one of the premier lead-off hitters in senior outfielder Chris Kolkhorst, who leads the team with a .403 batting average and a .527 on-base percentage aided by a team-leading 18 walks. Junior Paul Janish (.265, 4 HRs), considered the best defensive shortstop in the WAC by Baseball America, also is expected to be drafted.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
