Long before he became a fixture in the Hawai'i infield, senior Jon Hee remembers attending Rainbow baseball games with his youth league team. Little did he know that little leaguers would someday be watching him play at Les Murakami Stadium.

"I remember being on the other side where I'd be a fan watching," Hee recalled. "It's neat to be on the other side."

Hee is one of nine UH seniors who will close their careers before the home crowd this weekend in a non-conference three-game series against Utah Valley (15-35-1) starting tonight. The Rainbows (26-27) leave for the Western Athletic Conference tournament Sunday night.

Hee and outfielder Derek DuPree have been in the program the longest. Both redshirted as freshmen in 2004. As sophomores in 2006, both played integral roles in UH making the NCAA regional at Oregon State.

Ryan Asato has been in the program for four seasons, while outfielders Brandon Haislet and Evan Zimny, and pitchers Cory Kahn, Nick Rhodes, Josh Schneider and Cameron Wheeler have been here for two seasons after transferring from junior colleges.

Some had more opportunities to play than others. But all made contributions that have helped the Rainbows finish no worse than third in the WAC regular season.

"These seniors did a great job of understanding their roles and adjusting," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "The guys that didn't play on an everyday basis or pitch in rotation all the time still understood their roles and were team guys. That's the main reason why you saw our team grow and the turnaround take place."

Another aspect that Trapasso is proud of is that all nine players will graduate — some on Sunday, others within the year or by next spring.

JON HEE

Hee is in the middle of the best season of his UH career, hitting .367 and hitting all three of his career home runs this season. But his highlight was in 2006, when the Rainbows made the regionals, he said.

Hee has played third and second base and most recently shortstop during his career, playing each position as if it was his primary one. Though he has been an asset with the bat and glove, Trapasso praised Hee for another aspect.

"The heart and soul of our team," Trapasso said. "You look at the numbers, offensively and defensively, and they don't compare to what he's meant to this team from an emotional standpoint and a character standpoint."

Hee, who starred at Mid-Pacific Institute (Class of 2003), graduates Sunday with a degree in speech pathology and audiology. He hopes to play professionally.

"It's been a big part of my life," Hee said of his UH career. "It's definitely sad, but it's time to move on in another chapter of my life."

DEREK DUPREE

Like Hee, DuPree's highlight was making the regionals in 2006. It was his best season as he batted a career-best .313. He also made the All-Regional team at Corvallis, Ore., where UH finished second to eventual College World Series champion Oregon State.

A freak accident following the regional led to knee surgery, which affected the outfielder's game.

"Dupes is a guy who is pretty special to me," Trapasso said. "He's one of our first recruits.

"Seeing what he did this year, playing sparingly early, coming off the bench and getting us going again, starting at San Jose, it shows what type of kid he is."

DuPree, who is from Shoreline, Wash., said he has one more class to take over the summer to finish his degree in sociology. He wants to work in a bar and eventually own one, he said.

RYAN ASATO

The 2004 Mid-Pacific Institute graduate is the next most-tenured Rainbow.

"The past four years really came up kind of fast," said Asato, who will graduate in December with a degree in Travel Industry Management and hopes to manage a hotel someday.

Asato, an outfielder, also said making the regionals in 2006 was his career highlight. He also hit his first career home run May 4 against Sacramento State.

"One of the best kids you'll ever be around," Trapasso said. "Couldn't be more happier for him getting his degree and being a consummate team guy."

BRANDON HAISLET

In his short time with UH, the outfielder from Sacramento, Calif. has lived up to his reputation as a tools player with a pro career waiting to happen.

"He's been very important to us in both phases, offense and defense," Trapasso said. "He's definitely a guy who is capable of having a lot of success at the next level."

Haislet, who graduates Sunday with a degree in anthropology, said it wasn't a difficult decision to play here and had it reinforced by his reception.

"The biggest thing I'll miss is the people and fans," Haislet said. "Everybody showed a lot of support."

CORY KAHN

After making one appearance totaling two innings as a junior, the native of Moraga, Calif., has become one of the workhorses of the bullpen with 16 appearances totaling 31 1/3 innings.

"He's made the most of his opportunity," Trapasso said. "Throughout most of the year, he served an important role for us in middle and long relief in settling games."

Kahn, who graduates Sunday with a degree in sociology and hopes to manage a restaurant one day, said he enjoyed his two seasons here.

"It's been an awesome ride and it's sad to see it come to an end," he said. "I made a lot of good friends along the way and had a great time doing it."

NICK RHODES

The majority of his fellow seniors agreed that the left-handed Rhodes was the "goofiest" among them.

"He's as fun a guy to have around," Trapasso concurred.

Rhodes has contributed as starting pitcher most recently and a reliever. But his experience as a Rainbow reached further than taking the hill.

"I liked learning the culture of Hawai'i," he said. "It opened my mind, giving me a new perspective. I enjoyed the people welcoming me a lot. Overall, it was a fun experience. I learned a lot about myself."

JOSH SCHNEIDER

Schneider, from Littleton, Colo., has contributed as a starter and reliever.

"He's had some big games down the stretch and stepped up when we needed somebody to step up," Trapasso said.

He will graduate in December with a degree in speech. He gets a charge playing in front of the UH fans.

"Just playing at Les Murakami at night, hearing the cheers," Schneider said. "It's one of the coolest things."

CAMERON WHEELER

Wheeler, from Prescott, Ariz., made most of his contributions from the bullpen.

"Was a non-scholarship guy," Trapasso said. "He's had some ups and downs, but really been a guy that has come along and done more than what's expected. He had some games where he settled games for us."

Wheeler graduates Sunday with a degree in sociology. His highlight happens every day.

"Just being with the guys, forming the family we've become on the field," he said. "These memories will be the highlight the rest of my life."

EVAN ZIMNY

Although the outfielder from Davis, Calif., hasn't played as much, he has been pretty successful when given the chance, taking a .302 batting average into this series.

"Zim's a guy who has battled a lot of adversity. He's had some peaks and valleys, but he's always worked hard," Trapasso said. "Going into a place like Ruston (for the WAC tournament), he's a guy we're going to need to help us. He's great to be around because of how he works."

Zimny will graduate with a degree in marketing next spring.

"It could've been better," Zimny said of his UH career. "I did have a walk-off home run (in 2007 to beat Nevada). That was fun."