"It's going to come down to finishing 34-10 or something like that," said coach Allan Sato. "It's a tough task for anybody, but it's something we have to shoot for because postseason is one of our goals.

"This year's schedule is not as tough as last year, but we're still playing quality teams."

The Sea Warriors open their season Saturday with a doubleheader against Longwood University of Farmville, Va., at Ke'ehi Lagoon field. The series continues with a doubleheader Sunday and a single game Monday. All day games begin at noon.

HPU plays home games at Ke'ehi through the end of February before moving to Aloha Stadium.

The Sea Warriors have six returning position players, including their entire outfield.

Greg Benoit (.376, 25 RBIs) is back in left, Geoffrey Say (.371, 50 runs, 12 steals) returns to center and Chase Nakamura (.303, 26 RBIs) is in right.

Three-fourths of the infield returns with first baseman Alika Kuraoka (.281, 4 HRs, 31 RBIs), second baseman Brandon Sato (.302, 28 RBIs, 10 steals) and shortstop Grandon Costa (.319, 9 steals).

Third base is brand new with a pair of freshmen sharing time in Spencer Omalza (Leilehua) and Danny Lee (Saint Louis). Omalza, a right-hander, also could see duty as a relief pitcher, Sato said.

Also new is catcher Tyler Jefferson, a junior transfer from Northern Iowa.

Jay Baptista will DH and catch.

"Should be exciting," Sato said. "We have plenty speed. We have plenty depth this year."

The Sea Warriors return only one starting pitcher. Junior left-hander Cruz Hatanaka (5-3, 5.06) and transfer Josh Guerra, also a left-hander, are pegged to pitch Saturday's doubleheaders. Then it gets younger for the Sea Warriors, as two freshmen from Hawai'i high schools have the nod for Sunday's games in left-hander Anthony Ganigan (Pearl City) and right-hander Pierce Magalallan (Mililani).

For series going beyond four games and closing situations, HPU will go by committee, Sato said.

"This year, it's going to be whoever is fresh and effective," Sato said. "We're going to find out (who will be regulars) by the time we get to Sonoma State (Feb. 17-19).

The Sea Warriors will play Florida State on March 9, a day before the Seminoles play the University of Hawai'i. The single game is set for 7 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.

"That's good for our kids to be exposed to that kind of competition," Sato said. "You're not just talking D-1, it's a powerhouse D-1."

The Sea Warriors were scheduled to play FSU in 2002, but the game was rained out. But HPU did beat FSU, 9-8, in 1998, when the Seminoles reached the College World Series.

"That was exposure for our program," Sato said. "Mike Martin (FSU's coach) always tries to give us one, possibly two games every time they come. That's something big for our program."

VULCANS

Hawai'i-Hilo (0-5) was swept in a five-game series against the San Diego Toreros (5-3) to start the season.

Third baseman Johnny Dudoit led the Vulcans by batting 10 for 18 with two home runs and six RBIs, while freshman Alvis Satele (Kamehameha) popped his first collegiate home run.

In local ties, Toreros' sophomore second baseman Keoni Ruth (Kamehameha) batted 7 for 22 with six runs, two RBIs and three steals. Senior outfielder Gavin Ng (Mililani) was 3 for 10, but scored eight runs and had a steal. He batted leadoff in four of the five games.

The Vulcans resume play with a six-game series against Kansas (0-0) starting Friday.