It was only two weeks ago that the University of Hawai'i baseball team had a miserable time in Reno, Nev., getting swept in a three-game series by the Wolf Pack.

But maybe the tide has changed as the two reunite tomorrow in an opening-round game of the double-elimination Western Athletic Conference tournament at Peccole Park on the Nevada campus. It starts at 4 p.m., Hawai'i time.

Since the sweep, the fifth-seeded Rainbows (33-23 overall, 11-13 WAC) won 2 of 3 from top-seeded Fresno State (32-27 17-7), while the second-seeded Wolf Pack (32-24, 15-9) lost 2 of 3 from fourth-seeded San Jose State. It's been that kind of season in the WAC.

"They were on a roll when we were up there a couple weeks ago and they thumped us," UH coach Mike Trapasso said of the Wolf Pack. "We played so poorly and really just rolled over. Yet, if we go out and play with the passion that we did for (the Fresno State) series, there's no telling what can happen. There's no doubt when we play well we're capable of getting on a roll and winning four, five games in a week. We also know we're capable of coming home early, but I'll take my chances with this group and their playing with passion this weekend. If they do that, then win or lose, we'll have given it our best and feel good about it."

The Rainbows will send left-hander Ian Harrington (7-7, 4.44 ERA) to the mound for the opener. The Wolf Pack are expected to go with right-hander Ryan Rodriguez (8-6, 3.59).

Harrington had a no-decision in the game at UH in March, giving up three runs in 5 2/3 innings, but was tagged for six runs and 13 hits in five-plus innings at Nevada.

Meanwhile, Rodriguez is 1-1, taking the loss in the game he pitched against Harrington at UH, allowing four runs in 8 1/3 innings. That was the game Evan Zimny hit the game-winning three-run home run off Kody Keroher, who inherited two of Rodriguez's runners. In Reno, Rodriguez got the win from 7 1/3 innings in which UH got three runs, 10 hits and three walks. So it is not as if Rodriguez has been dominant. It's just that the Rainbows played poorly at Reno that day. In the game at UH, the Rainbows squandered opportunities against him with a failed sacrifice try and shabby base running.

Matt Daly, who had pitched the second game of the previous two series before the FSU series, will be available out of the bullpen for the opener, Trapasso said. That is why he was used in relief Sunday and that third-day starter Mark Rodrigues was bumped up a day. Rodrigues could be Friday's starter.

The Rainbows also need the Tyler Davis who pitched three scoreless innings against Fresno State on Monday night. In his previous seven appearances before Monday, he had allowed 12 runs in 11 2/3 innings.

"Tyler Davis pitching so well (Monday) was big for him and for our club," Trapasso said. "It's no secret that we have struggled over the last month and that coincides with Tyler struggling over the last month."

The Rainbows are 12-12 since April 1.

Also reassuring is that left-hander Nick Rhodes adds to the pitching depth. He had his best outing of the season when he pitched six scoreless innings of five-hit ball in his second start of the season in Monday's 1-0 win against Fresno State. It was a far cry from his start April 25 at Arizona State, when he lasted just one-third of an inning, giving up four runs in a 9-2 loss. He had command of his fastball, curve and change against FSU.

"If we're going to win the tournament, we're going to have to have somebody step up from the role of not pitching a great deal and do what Nick did," Trapasso said.

Offensively, the Rainbows might be without one of their hot hitters down the stretch in shortstop Eli Christensen. As with last year's Corvallis (Ore.) Regional, he has developed arm problems. He is day-to-day, Trapasso said. That is why he was replaced in Sunday's game by sophomore Nate Young.

Otherwise, the Rainbows need to hit with consistency and avoid losing runners on the bases.

Last year, when defending champion Fresno State and Hawai'i separated themselves from the pack, both had the strength of their records to be considered at-large teams even before the tournament began. The 'Bows got the at-large berth and went to their first regional since 1993. But this year is different.

"There's no question this is a winner-take-all deal," Trapasso said. "There's no one going to the NCAA regionals other than the WAC tournament champion. That's a forgone conclusion, so that adds to the drama of the WAC tournament this year."

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.