One of the nice surprises over the weekend for the Hawai'i baseball team was the appearance of senior Ryan Asato.

Primarily a reserve throughout his UH career, the 2004 graduate of Mid-Pacific injured his right hamate bone during fall workouts. But apparently it healed well enough to punch out two hits in seven at-bats against nationally ranked Long Beach State over the weekend.

"It feels good to get back, good to start swinging again," Asato said after Sunday's game.

The left-handed-hitting Asato made his season debut Friday in a pinch-hitting appearance with two outs in the bottom of the 12th against the Dirtbags' closer Bryan Shaw. Asato ripped a hard grounder up the middle for a single. It was only the sixth hit by UH that night.

The next night, Asato started at designated hitter and went 1 for 3. He could've been 2 for 3, except LBSU shortstop Danny Espinosa extended his range to behind second base on the outfield side of the reddish Domo turf that represents the infield dirt to throw out Asato.

Asato was not as fortunate Sunday, going 0 for 4. Still, his .286 average in the series was still above the team average of .193 against LBSU.

"I like our lineup when he's in there swinging well," UH coach Mike Trapasso said.

Asato's availability gives Trapasso options. It also should put others on notice.

First baseman Alex Myers became eligible for the weekend, but only started on Sunday when Kevin Macdonald tweaked his heel in Saturday's game. Myers went 2 for 4 with a two-run double in Sunday's game.

"Obviously, Myers is the guy we thought he was (projected to be)," Trapasso said. "He's getting closer to being able to play every day, if he can take care of business in school."

Meanwhile, the Rainbows resume play with a two-game series against Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) starting tonight at 6:35. Hawai'i is trying to snap a six-game losing streak against a team that took 2 of 3 from UH-Hilo over the weekend. The Blazers (6-7) were picked to finish eighth in the nine-team Conference USA.

Freshman right-hander Josh Slaats (0-1, 6.43) will start for UH tonight. The Rainbows will staff tomorrow's contest, Trapasso said.

The Blazers will start left-hander Johnny Volk (0-0, 9.00), who has made two starts totaling seven innings this season. Tomorrow's starter is right-hander Mitch Kloskowski (2-0, 1.12). He has struck out 14 and walked one in 16 innings from two starts and one inning of relief Sunday at UH-Hilo.

This is the first meeting between the two programs.

THEY LOVE 'DIRTBAGS'

For those wondering why Long Beach State's baseball team prefers the nickname "Dirtbags," as opposed to the 49ers, there is some history behind it. Dirtbags have to do with the program's style of play and the success it has achieved over the years.

For further explanation and even glowing endorsements by former Dirtbags, check out the school's Web site: http://longbeachstate.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/spec-rel/dirtbagmeaning.html

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.