UH won't put spin on rotation The 'Bows are sticking with the same starting pitchers
By Al Chase
Star-BulletinUniversity of Hawaii head coach Les Murakami will go with the same starting rotation he used last week when the Rainbows host Cal State Sacramento in a three-game series starting tonight. Randon Ho will start tonight at Rainbow Stadium. Dusty Bergman gets the nod tomorrow and Troy Yoshimasu will go Saturday. The three started in UH's season-opening series against the University of San Francisco last week.
Murakami is taking a wait-and-see approach with the rotation. But he has decided to experiment at second base, where he has the option of going with more offense or emphasizing defense.
"We need to have more range at second," Murakami said. "We experimented with (David) Perreira, who has the best stick, but he didn't hit enough (in the San Francisco series).
"When you win, the lack of range becomes negligible, but when you lose, it becomes a very, very big thing."
As a result, the position will resemble a revolving door. Rory Pico, Shaheed Nelloms and Shane Chan also can play second. According to Murakami, they are about equal offensively, with Pico having the best range.
In Sunday's game against USF, Pico showed his range by fielding a grounder deep in the hole between second and first and getting the out to help stifle any thoughts of a rally the Dons had in the ninth inning.
"I've told the players that if we're down a run or two and have an opportunity to score, we'll pinch hit," Murakami said. "We can do that two or three times a game if necessary."
Murakami also wants to work Pico at shortstop as a backup to Michael Dartt. Pico has a stronger arm than Nelloms, who also plays shortstop.
Cal State Sacramento coach John Smith is shuffling his lineup a bit due to injuries.
Dan Elorduy, a returning starter at first base, broke his foot last year and didn't have surgery until late summer. Smith won't play him in the field against Hawaii because of the artificial turf.
Returning designated hitter Josh Payne has been bothered by a bulging disc in his back and isn't expected to play.
The Hornets are coming off a 16-39 season.
"Last year we had a lot of injuries and we were young to begin with," Smith said. We just didn't play well. We're hoping that's behind us. We hope to play better and pitch better."
Smith will start Mark Rodriguez on the mound tonight and follow with newcomers Josh Schuler and Dustin Tubb.
"We'll try to get three innings out of everyone, but there's a 60-pitch limit," Smith said. "We haven't even had an intrasquad scrimmage. We couldn't get outdoors for the last eight days before we arrived here."
The Hornets arrived Sunday and have been working out daily at Rainbow Stadium.
GOOD NEWS: Sophomore Sean Murphy has been cleared to play for the Rainbows. He got his first taste of "game" action in the 'Bows intrasquad scrimmage Tuesday. It gave Murakami an opportunity to see if Murphy was in game shape.
THE SERIES: The Rainbows are 20-10 overall against the Hornets. The teams last played in 1996, with UH sweeping the three-game series.
COACHES RECORDS: Murakami is in his 28th season and has a career record of 982-501-4. Smith is in his 20th season and is 584-474-1.
Rainbow baseball
Today: Cal State Sacramento at Hawaii, 6:05 p.m.
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