Posted on: Wednesday, March 30, 2005

Trapasso says 'Bows won't settle for cellar

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Despite a six-game losing skid and a 1-5 start in conference play, there is no reason for the Hawai'i baseball team to despair. Not the way things have gone so far in the Western Athletic Conference.

"We're right there with Rice at the bottom of the league and I guarantee nobody expects Rice to stay at the bottom," Trapasso said. "We shouldn't expect ourselves to stay at the bottom."

The Rainbows (13-16 overall, 1-5 WAC) can bring the league even closer together when they resume conference play this weekend at Les Murakami Stadium against San Jose State (15-9-1, 5-1). Being early in the season and an unbalanced start among the teams, the Spartans lead the conference by a half-game on Fresno State (17-15, 3-0), which swept UH last week. Technically, the Bulldogs are listed above SJSU in the standings because of winning percentage.

But for the Rainbows to go from last to first by season's end, they need to find more consistency on offense. They scored 11 runs on the road trip that consisted of one game against Pacific and a three-game series against Fresno State. They scored no more than three runs in each game.

"You could take a look at the WAC standings and turn it upside down and it could end up finishing that way," Trapasso said. "There's no question we have an opportunity to win the league or do well in the league. We just have to start swinging the bat the way we did a couple weeks ago."

The Rainbows will change a part of their weekend rotation. Stephen Bryant will return to the Friday starter with Colby Summer moving from the midweek spot to Saturday and Justin Costi remaining on Sunday.

Steven Wright, whose last two appearances were starts, will return to the bullpen, where he was especially effective in his first seven appearances of the season.

"That's what his strength is," Trapasso said. "He's all for it. He feels excited about going back to the pen."

Ricky Bauer, who started the season in the rotation, also will be used in relief.

"Every time we've brought Ricky out of the bullpen, he's been outstanding," Trapasso said.

Meanwhile, outfielder Jose Castaneda has been dismissed for breaking team rules, Trapasso said. Castaneda was sent home Friday during the road trip at Fresno State. He was replaced on the travel squad by freshman Ryan Asato.

Trapasso said he could not disclose the team rule Castaneda violated. Castaneda did not immediately return a telephone message.

Castaneda is allowed to finish the semester and his scholarship will be honored for that duration, Trapasso said. Trapasso does not know Castaneda's intentions, but said he hopes he does finish the semester to maintain eligibility if he decides to transfer.

Castaneda was batting .228 with two doubles, a triple and a home run, which was a grand slam. He was second on the team with 13 RBIs.

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