The University of Hawai'i softball team begins a crucial three-game Western Athletic Conference series against New Mexico State tonight at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

The Rainbow Wahine (10-5 in WAC) are tied for second place, a half-game behind Nevada and a half-game ahead of the fourth-place Aggies.

At 24-21 overall, the Rainbows are not considered to be a bubble team for the NCAA postseason, even if they claim the regular-season title.

"The only thing we can do is win the WAC tournament (in Fresno), and get the (league's) automatic berth," UH coach Bob Coolen said.

Coolen believes he has finally found the right combination. UH opened the season with Audrey Andrade at first, Richie-Anne Titcomb at second and Julie Franklin at short.

Amanda "A.J." Tauali'i, who has emerged as the team's most productive hitter (.362, 15 homers, 36 RBIs in 44 games), now starts at first. Dara Pagaduan is at second, and Traci Yoshikawa, primarily used as a pinch-runner the past two seasons, is at short. Andrade starts in left field.

Yoshikawa is UH's fourth shortstop this season. Franklin has the strongest arm and Melissa Gonzalez, whose right foot was in a medical boot yesterday, is a better hitter. But Yoshikawa, according to Coolen, "communicates" the best with third baseman Clare Warwick.

"That's what we didn't have before," Coolen said. "Both of them are on the same page. With my other shortstops, they were playing alone. They weren't playing collectively. Clare needs the 'collectiveness' of knowing someone is behind her. They complement each other."

Stephanie Ricketts, the ace of the staff, will start tonight and one of the doubleheader games tomorrow. She also is expected to relieve Courtney Baughman, who will start the other game tomorrow.