The results of an extreme makeover will be revealed today when the University of Hawai'i softball team opens the 2006 season against Texas-Arlington in the first round of the Hawai'i Paradise Classic at Rainbow Wahine Stadium.

UH freshman Justine Smethurst's first pitch will be delivered at about 6 p.m., depending on the length of the preceding games.

This year's UH team hardly resembles last year's squad, which lost five players to graduation and three to other circumstances. First baseman Tyleen Tausaga is the only starter to return to the same position.

There are 13 first-year Rainbow Wahine. Last month, former All-America catcher Dana Degan was hired to coach the pitchers and catchers. Eric Okasaki, the dean of UH athletic trainers, also will work with the team.

Jitters? "The young girls don't know any better," closer Jessica Morton said. "It's just like, 'Let's go out and play.' I'm anxious to see how we're going to do."

Even Morton, a third-year sophomore, is embracing the fresh start. Two seasons ago, she suffered a fractured spine. Last year, she broke the thumb on her right (pitching) hand during a moped accident. After rejoining the team, she suffered a broken jaw when she was struck by a wild throw. To bury past misfortune, she changed her jersey number from 9 to 12.

Unlike past preseasons, new NCAA rules did not allow the Rainbow Wahine to play intercollegiate games. Still, based on intrasquad scrimmages, there is optimism the offense can be a manslaughterers' row.

"Our lineup is, like, mean," Tausaga said. "(Batters) 1 through 9 can hit. So if everybody hits on the same day, we should be unstoppable."

Freshman third baseman Clare Warwick offers speed and aggressive baserunning at the top of the lineup. Second baseman Alana Power can pull 70-mph risers. Brandi Peiler, a Kamehameha Schools graduate who played at Hawai'i Pacific last year, is a skilled contact hitter. Tausaga provides middle-of-the-order power.

Freshmen Smethurst, who competed at Australia's Open trials, and Courtney Baughman have emerged as the top pitchers. Smethurst, whose riser reaches the high 60s, received encouragement from former UH players Stacey Porter and Brooke Wilkins.

"They told me about past Australians who have come here and have gone back home and done really well," Smethurst said. "It seemed like the right choice to come here."

Smethurst and Baughman said they have benefitted from the pitch-calling of starting catcher Kristi Yoshizawa. "She reads the game very well," Smethurst said. "There's a lot of trust there. She definitely has the experience."

On calling the game, Yoshizawa said: "I like having that responsibility and being in control of that part."

Tausaga said the newcomers and returnees formed a quick bond. One team event was to go to Lanikai Beach to watch a sunrise. "That was cool," she said. And appropriate for the dawning of a new era.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.