These days, only the weather can distract the University of Hawai'i softball team.

Yesterday's downpour forced the Rainbow Wahine to practice in the school's Gym I — usually used by the volleyball teams, intramural program and media basketball league — in preparation for today's Western Athletic Conference game against San Jose State.

"It's very discouraging," said outfielder Kaulana Gould, the current WAC Player of the Week. "We're coming off a road trip 5-0, and we're trying to keep our edge. It's hard when we can't go on the field. Our coaches are doing everything they can to help us keep that edge."

UH coach Bob Coolen tried to remain upbeat, conducting infield, outfield and pitching drills in Gym I. The team used softer softballs that weighed about the same (6 1/4 ounces) as regulation ones.

"It has the same consistency, and the same seams on it," Coolen said. "It throws like a regular ball. Coming from Massachusetts, we had a lot of indoor practices. You have to be ready for the rain."

The teams are scheduled to meet in a single game today and a doubleheader tomorrow. Those are their only scheduled regular-season meetings in the WAC's round-robin format. Coolen said he believes there is the flexibility of extending the series through Sunday, if rain postpones any of the games. UH is 19-13 and 3-0; SJSU is 3-17 and 2-1.

"I'm not sure what's going to happen if we can't play the games," he said.

Six of the top seven WAC teams advance to the conference tournament in Fresno, with the winner earning the league's automatic berth in the NCAA Regionals. "Every game counts," Coolen said. "If teams lose games (to weather), it affects the percentage of wins and losses, and who makes the tournament."

It is that urgency that fueled the Rainbows in their three-game sweep of WAC opponent Louisiana Tech last week in Ruston. The Rainbows out-scored the Bulldogs, 29-6.

"We figured out our roles," Gould said. "We're really consistent, and we're having fun."

Coolen said shortstop Valana Manuma (.337) is providing aggressiveness at the top of the lineup. Gould (.307) and catcher Kristi Yoshizawa (.348) have been on hitting tears recently, providing a boost to the bottom of the order.

Perhaps the most significant move was replacing struggling second baseman Alana Power with freshman Richie-Anne Titcomb (.350).

Power, a reliable fielder, has the fastest bat speed on the team. "For some reason," Coolen said, "she wasn't coming around in regards to the hitting part of the game. I don't know if it's her pitch selection."

Coolen said Titcomb, a converted switch-hitter, has made an easy transition. Against Louisiana Tech, she delivered an important sacrifice fly in one game, then added a bases-loaded triple in another.

"She brings a whole different dimension to the (No.) 9 slot," Coolen said of Titcomb, who began hitting left-handed this year. "She's swinging a great bat in all types of situations. She's really giving us a lift."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.