At the moment, the Hawai'i softball team's two best starting pitchers are the same person.

Kate Robinson will be on the mound when the Rainbow Wahine host Louisiana Tech in today's opening round of the Western Athletic Conference tournament.

With Courtney Baughman struggling, Robinson, who was named to the All-WAC first team last night, might be summoned to pitch in UH's next game in the double-elimination tournament.

"Our pitching is a mystery right now," UH coach Bob Coolen said.

Baughman was the starter in the opener of a three-game series against Utah State last weekend. But she lasted 3 1/3 innings, allowing seven hits and a walk to the 16 batters she faced.

"Right now, she's not pitching with aggression," Coolen said. "If you do that, you won't find the strike zone, (the batters) will find you."

Robinson has been an effective six-inning pitcher, but has created dramatic situations in the seventh inning. Coolen said the plan calls for Robinson to pitch six innings, then, most likely, bring in hard-throwing Jessica Morton. In a three-pitch appearance Sunday, Morton's pitches reached 68 mph.

"Jess' role is going to be more pivotal," Coolen said, but cautioned, "how do you ruin the rhythm of a game when Kate is cruising along?"

UH's wish is that Baughman will regain the confidence that made her the ace early in the season. "I hope so," Robinson said. "She is a key part of our team."

If not, Robinson is prepared for the expanded workload.

"I'll do whatever the team needs me to do," said Robinson, who has pitched 17 complete game this season. "It's my senior year. I don't have to save anything for any reason. I can take a bigger workload."

The other option is to employ freshman Melissa "Me-G" Gonzalez, who has pitched in only three games, allowing three earned runs in nine innings.

"I really want to be out there," Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez throws what is considered to be a "heavy ball," a pitch that induces grounders.

"She knows how to pitch," Coolen said. "She knows how to play. It's a matter of getting her in there at the right time. She'll always be ready. The willingness is there. She doesn't have the experience right now."

When Robinson pitches, the Rainbows become a better fielding team. Robinson is athletic, and her replacement at first base, Audrey Andrade, is dependable defensively.

Andrade has filled the role originally crafted for Amanda Tauali'i, who underwent surgery on her left (throwing) shoulder during the offseason. Tauali'i was slow to return to top form, opening the way for Andrade, a former outfielder and middle infielder.

Andrade has a shortstop's range, making her valuable against teams that like to bunt.

"We feel very comfortable with her," Coolen said.

Andrade, in turn, is comfortable at her new position.

"It's the best change I've done since I've been in college," said Andrade, a junior who was named to the All-WAC second team. "Playing first this year has been amazing. I'm always like, 'Kate, pitch well so I can play first.' I love to play and be out there."

Andrade said she has learned through extra practices and watching Robinson play first.

"The team made it easy to adjust," Andrade said. "They work with me a lot."

Center fielder Kaulana Gould was named to the All-WAC team for the fourth consecutive season. Clare Warwick, Tanisha Milca and Brandi Peiler were selected to the second team.