Schedule sets up better for ‘Bows, but only slightly

The schedule maker was a little kinder to the University of Hawaii baseball team this time around.

Instead of Rice — a perennial power that swept UH last year on the way to an NCAA Super Regional appearance — Hawaii gets to host Albany next week. The Great Danes went 23-25-1 in 2013, and are expected to be about the same this season.

But that’s next week. Friday night’s season opener is against the Phil Knight All-Stars.

Sometimes UH coach Mike Trapasso still wants to ask that schedule maker why the guy forced him to open against Oregon again? The Ducks swept here to start the season last year and they might again; they’re ranked 11th in the nation by Baseball America and UH is coming off a 16-35 season.

The funny or not so funny part of it is that Trapasso himself is the schedule maker, the one who put together the murderer’s row of nonconference games that contributed largely to his team starting last season 0-10 and 1-15 on the way to a final winning percentage of .314 — which was barely a good college baseball batting average before they switched to whiffle bats and balls.

Lefty Cole Irvin beat UH in his first career start last year, and the freshman developed into the Oregon ace but underwent Tommy John surgery a few days ago.

So Hawaii gets a break — or does it? Oregon pitching is like USC tailbacks … if one goes down there’s a good chance there might be another just as talented or more ready to step up.

Despite three games at Texas in March, this year’s nonconference slate isn’t as tough as 2013’s, which also included Gonzaga, Wichita State and seemingly every first-round pitcher in college baseball.

Maybe the Rainbow Warriors (the new nickname will take some getting used to) won’t compile a collective batting average closer to Mario Mendoza’s than Mario Monico’s when they enter their second season in the tough Big West Conference.

Some folks say baseball isn’t really a team game, that it’s just a bunch of individuals fighting individual battles. You don’t need a point guard to get you the ball. You don’t need a left tackle to block for you.

Even an experienced coach like Trapasso will tell you, "I’ve never been a big chemistry guy."

But he agrees there are players who do affect teammates a certain way, their mere presence improving morale. And when it comes to pitching, a starter who eats innings definitely has an impact on the rest of the pitching staff.

Junior lefthander Jarrett Arakawa is one of those, although he can’t be expected to throw anything close to a complete game yet. He missed all of last year with a shoulder injury after two solid seasons.

"When you see him on the mound, even having missed a year, there’s a poise and a confidence about him," Trapasso said. "It really does give a sense of confidence to the other guys to say, yeah, this guy, he’s coming back, this is great. It’s a huge boost in that he’s a key for us in our rotation."

Arakawa isn’t at 100 percent yet, but it’s hoped his control and experience will carry him through as the No. 2 starter. Trapasso said he will force himself to resist extending Arakawa beyond a set pitch count, as Arakawa is still re-building his stamina and strength in the shoulder.

The absence of Arakawa and fellow lefties Andrew Jones and Quintin Torres-Costa for nearly the entire 2013 season due to injuries hurt Hawaii as much as its anemic hitting. Jones and Quintin-Torres are expected back in time for the Big West.

As for a key to spark the lineup, it might be another guy dealing with a shoulder injury. Bellevue (Wash.) CC transfer Jordan Richartz is slotted for the 3 hole; he’ll be at DH instead of first base or the outfield because of a torn labrum.

"He hit .390 in a good JC with a wooden bat," Trapasso said, indicating he doesn’t expect a rough transition for Richartz. His 24 stolen bases without being caught even once last year should also help.

Much of the rest of the lineup is similar to 2013. That could be a plus because of experience, or a negative considering UH batted .239 last year as a team, with just four home runs.

A repeat of that could be hard to overcome even with a healthy pitching staff.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. Read his blog at staradvertiser.com/quickreads.