’Bows boast depth as Big West play begins

Like snowflakes, fingerprints and Joe Moore’s have-you-noticed observations, no University of Hawaii batting order has been the same this baseball season.

The uniqueness is UH’s identity, a team rich with depth and options as it opens Big West play with today’s road game against Cal Poly.

“I’m not worried about having a set lineup as everyone else appears to be,” said coach Mike Trapasso, whose 18-9 Rainbow Warriors are off to their best 27-game start since 2007. “The more guys that play, the more guys are involved, the more guys are engaged. … When you have some depth, you can do it. In past years, when we haven’t had that kind of depth, you’re searching for, who the eight-, nine-hole batter might be. This year, we’ve had some guys who have competed for playing time. Competition is a good thing always.”

There probably are seven positions cemented — catcher Kekai Rios; the infield of Eric Ramirez at first, Johnny Weeks at second, Dustin Demeter at short and Josh Rojas at third; Dylan Vchulek in center, and Adam Fogel at an outfield corner. Trapasso will make changes based on righty-lefty situations, health and production. This past weekend, Weeks and outfielder Alex Fitchett were pulled during games after playing tentative defense.

Trapasso said none of the batting-order decisions are drastic. Demeter, for example, usually bats second or ninth, enabling him to hit behind or ahead of Vchulek, the leadoff hitter who has reached base every game this season.

“We’re going to focus on putting the team out there on that day we think will allow us to win the game,” said Trapasso, whose team has reduced its strikeouts from once every 4.95 at bats in 2016 to once every 6.17 this year. “We’re not giving up at bats by chasing balls out of the zone.”

Right-handed pitcher Brendan Hornung and lefty Dominic DeMiero will start the first two of this three-game series. Hornung (3-2) has walked four in 532⁄3 innings, and averages 9.39 strikeouts per nine innings. DeMiero has a 0.99 WHIP.

“The whole staff has been getting ahead of guys (in the count), not really walking anyone, not giving free passes,” Hornung said. “I just hate walking people. I know I’m going to be around the (strike) zone. If I give up any free passes, it just eats me up inside. I don’t want to give (the batter) a base and use extra pitches. If I get 3-0, I’m going to do whatever I can to get a strike and challenge the hitter.”

Trapasso still has not announced Sunday’s starting pitcher. In the move from four-game series in the pre-conference schedule to three in the Big West, Neil Uskali and Jackson Rees are competing for the final rotation spot. The four starting pitchers have combined for 18 quality starts (throwing at least six innings while allowing three or fewer runs).

Uskali uses a two-seam changeup as an out pitch. Rees, who is 6 feet 5, has a cutter that is considered a heavy ball because it’s thrown from an over-the-top motion. “I know somebody is going to start Sunday’s game,” Trapasso said. “Whoever you put out there needs to pitch well. If Jackson or Neil are on their game, they can beat anybody.”

Either Rees or Uskali will help UH’s bullpen. Matt Richardson struggled last weekend. Patrick Martin is out indefinitely because of an elbow issue. Casey Ryan is a power pitcher who is still tinkering with a breaking pitch. Colin Ashworth and Kyle Mitchell have the tools for middle relief. Dylan Thomas, who has three saves, is viewed as a closer.

“There’s no question Dylan’s helped himself — and helped us — with the late-inning role,” Trapasso said.

Cal Poly right-handers Eric Uelmen (2.38 ERA) and Spencer Howard (1.60 ERA, 10.7 strikeouts per nine innings) will start the first two games. But the Mustangs struggled in the third spot of each three-game series, posting these numbers: 0-5 record, 5.14 ERA, 1.31 WHIP. Nine pitchers have started this season.