The Hawai'i softball team's postseason chances will be tied to how well it does against the Western Athletic Conference's last-place team.

UH coach Bob Coolen said his team (33-17, 7-7 in WAC) needs to sweep the series against Utah State — a 2 p.m. doubleheader today and 2 p.m. game tomorrow — and "go deep" in next week's WAC Tournament at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium to earn postseason consideration.

Currently third in the WAC, the Rainbow Wahine can receive, at best, a No. 3 seed in the double-elimination tournament, which awards the winner the WAC's automatic berth in the NCAA tournament.

"We need to be in the (WAC) championship game just to send a statement," Coolen said.

The Rainbows have lost six WAC games in a row — three each to Nevada and Fresno State, the league's 1-2 teams. The NCAA selection committee takes into consideration a candidate's record in the stretch run.

After yesterday's 2-hour hitting practice, Coolen opted to start right-hander Courtney Baughman in today's opener. Kate Robinson will start the second game.

Baughman has one victory in her last three starts, during which she allowed seven runs in 22 innings. While the Rainbows do not have a clear pitching ace, according to Coolen, Baughman has been consistent enough to draw the first assignment.

Unlike last season, the Rainbows have not provided ample support for their pitchers. Aside from Robinson (16 homers, 44 RBIs), there a scarcity of power in the lineup.

The Aggies are "out-homering us, and they have a few more hitters hitting better than us," Coolen said. "It's not going to be easy for us to walk in there."

Coolen said Audrey Andrade remains as the first baseman and, when Baughman pitches, the designated player. Richie-Anne Titcomb has claimed the second-base job from the slumping Melissa Gonzalez.

And catcher Katie Grimes, who received 10 stitches and lost part of her right eyebrow from a foul tip, is cleared to play.

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