The one that the San Diego Padres coveted after picking him in the 26th round in the 2003 baseball draft.

The one with the privilege of starting tonight's Western Athletic Conference season opener against Louisiana Tech.

After seven appearances in relief, the sophomore right-hander will make his first start of the season.

"I'm happy for it," said a low-keyed Wright. "But I was happy in the pen. I'm just happy playing."

Wright has made a nice turnaround from his freshman season. Last year, he was 2-1 with a 4.86 earned run average. He made 18 appearances, seven of them starts. He logged 46 2/3 innings, walking 23 while striking out 30. His longest outing last season was 5 2/3 innings. He surpassed that in his last outing, going 6á innings of relief against Florida State last Friday. He is 2-2 with one save and a 1.08 ERA. In 25 innings, he has walked four with 29 strikeouts, one shy of last year's mark.

The transition from relieving to starting should not be a problem because Wright has already been extended in most of his relief appearances, UH coach Mike Trapasso said. Wright also threw 5 1/3 innings against Pacific.

Wright's improvement is a matter of maturity, Trapasso said.

With a stronger work ethic came a better-conditioned Wright. His endurance has allowed him to be more consistent with his pitches, hence the increase in strikeouts and decrease in walks.

"He's getting ahead of hitters," Trapasso said. "His stuff is better because he's in such better shape. He's throwing with better velocity than last year, his breaking pitches are sharper and you combine that with good command, then you get strikeouts."

"If you work hard, later (in the game), you can repeat your mechanics," Wright explained. "If you do that, you're going to be able to throw strikes."

Just what brought about the change in attitude? Wright did some soul searching after last season.

With Wright leading off the rotation this weekend, Justin Costi (1-2, 3.60) is scheduled to follow tomorrow with either Stephen Bryant (4-0, 1.49) or Ricky Bauer (1-1, 5.60) on Sunday, Trapasso said. Bryant pitched five innings on four days' rest in the opener against Winthrop, while Bauer added 2° innings of relief in the same game, which went 15 innings. Darrell Fisherbaugh pitched 4· innings and Guy McDowell added three innings in the four hour, 53 minute marathon. Along with Rich Olsen, the Rainbows' most consistent relievers have adequate rest for tonight's game, Trapasso said.

Although the Rainbows had their four-game win streak snapped after getting swept in two games by Winthrop, they feel prepared for the WAC season. Aside from Wednesday's 11-3 loss to the Eagles, the Rainbows have shown some consistency in their approach on offense, Trapasso said.

"We've really played well in eight of our last nine games," he said. "We've got to get more consistent in some situations as always, but our guys are ready for it."

Second baseman Isaac Omura continues to lead the Rainbows in batting average (.400), doubles (11) and RBIs (22). Shortstop Joe Spiers (.366 batting average, .454 on-base) has 18 steals in 20 attempts. Center fielder Matt Inouye has lifted his batting average to .307.

Meanwhile, Louisiana Tech (7-14) enters the series having taken two of three last weekend at Nicholls State. The Bulldogs were picked to finish tied for fifth with San Jose State in a preseason poll of conference coaches; UH was picked fourth.

The Bulldogs are scheduled to start right-hander Mitch Tucker (0-3, 6.14) against UH tonight. Their Sunday starter is pending, but their top performer has been right-hander Ryan Rupert (1-2, 2.87), who is coming off a three-hit, 13-strikeout performance in a 1-0 win at Nicholls State.

Louisiana Tech's top hitters are second baseman Brandon Haygood (.309, seven steals), third baseman Ryan Hamilton (.293) and outfielder Gil Laird (.273, 3 HRs, 14 RBIs).

The only other WAC series this weekend has defending league champion Rice (15-5) at San Jose State (10-8-1). The Owls are the only nationally ranked team in the WAC, hovering between seventh and 11th in the four rankings.