It is the second road trip for the Rainbows, who resume Western Athletic Conference play Friday at Nevada. The Rainbows went 0-4 on their first road trip two weeks ago.

The Rainbows (15-17 overall, 3-6 WAC) are coming off winning 2 of 3 from first-place San Jose State over the weekend at Les Murakami Stadium. The Dons (21-9) dropped 2 of 3 against Pepperdine last week, but had a 10-game win streak entering that West Coast Conference series. They beat UC Davis, 11-2, yesterday in a nonconference game.

Hawai'i has used six different starting pitchers this season, but will staff today's game. Coach Mike Trapasso wasn't sure who would start but is certain that relievers Rich Olsen (12á innings) and Guy McDowell (14á) would pitch more than an inning each to give them work as compared to Darrell Fisherbaugh's 20¡ innings of relief.

"We gotta get those guys throwing how they're capable of and get 'em out there more," Trapasso said.

The Dons are much improved from last year's 27-32 squad that split four games with UH last year. Among the big contributors is second baseman Royce Fukuroku (Maui High '01), who is second on the team in hitting (.345). Right-hander Patrick McGuigan (Mid-Pacific '02) is 2-0 with a 0.92 ERA and leads the team with five saves. They are among four Hawai'i players at USF. The others are outfielder Travis McGaughy (Iolani '01) and infielder Cy Donald (Mililani '01).

The Rainbows will drive to Reno, Nev., tomorrow for their three-game series against the Wolf Pack (15-11), who dropped an 11-8 decision in a nonconference game against California yesterday. The Rainbows won their first game at Peccole Park last year.

"We're going to a place where we have our worst history and worst luck," Trapasso said. "But that presents an opportunity for us to do well."

Because UH won the SJSU series, only three games separate the WAC leaders from the two last-place teams, Hawai'i and Louisiana Tech.

Second baseman Isaac Omura continues to be the most consistent hitter for the Rainbows, batting .397 with 16 doubles, four home runs and 30 RBIs. Coming around of late has been left fielder Nate Thurber, who is batting .417. Of his five hits, three are doubles.