HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i Rainbow baseball team opens its 2008 campaign this week with a three-game series against in-state rival UH-Hilo at the Les Murakami Stadium from Feb. 15-17.
Hawai`i, which is coming off a 34-25 season in 2007, will host the Vulcans at 6:35 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 15, before playing two 1:05 p.m. games on Saturday, Feb. 16, and Sunday, Feb. 17.
Games #1-3
Who: Hawai`i vs. UH-Hilo
Dates: Friday, Feb. 15, Saturday, Feb. 16, Sunday, Feb. 17
Times: 6:35 p.m., 1:05 p.m., 1:05 p.m.
Where: Les Murakami Stadium (4,312)
Television: The Sunday game this week will be shown live on KFVE (Channel 5) with Jim Leahey (play-by-play) and Pal Eldredge (color commentary) doing the broadcast. Selected games are also available via the Internet at www.hawaiiantelmedia.com for a fee. The schedule of available games are also on that website.
Radio: ESPN Radio (1420 AM) will broadcast the games, live with Don Robbs handling the play-by-play. The games can also be heard over the Internet on www.sportsradio1420.com.
Livestats: Livestats will be available through the UH Athletics website at HawaiiAthletics.com, on the baseball home page.
Ticket Information: Tickets for this week's games will be $8 for seats in the blue and orange sections, and $7 for adults, $5 for seniors and $3 for UH students and students ages 4-18 in the red. Tickets can be purchased at the Les Murakami Stadium (on gamedays only), the Stan Sheriff Center, through HawaiiAthletics.com or by calling (808) 944-BOWS.
Series: The Rainbows lead the all-time series between the in-state rivals 106-19, winning the last 13 meetings between the two teams including a three-game sweep in Hilo last season.
Scouting UH-Hilo: The UH-Hilo Vulcans come into the 2008 season after posting a 12-35-1 record in 2007. But the Vulcans return five starting pitchers and four starting position players.
Ronel Trias returns in 2008 after leading the team with a .330 batting average, scoring 21 runs and 13 RBI last season. Michael Higa had a .300 batting average with 37 RBI, 10 doubles and 16 runs, starting 46 of the Vulcans' 48 games. A.J. Satele brings back some power in UHH's lineup, as he started 45 games with three home runs, eight doubles, 17 RBI, 24 runs and a .272 batting average.
Joe Davis is UH-Hilo's most experienced pitcher returning this season. He was 2-7 with a 7.00 ERA in 54.0 innings pitched. Davis had 12 starts and two complete games. Jeffrey Germain started 10 games, holding a 1-5 record and 7.57 ERA in 52.1 innings. Clayton Uyechi made eight starts with a 2-3 record, carrying a 4.70 ERA in 51.2 innings. Dustin Gilmore made 17 appearances, all out of the bullpen, carrying a 2-1 record and 4.22 ERA in 32.0 innings pitched.
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