During its 30-plus years of existence, Les Murakami Stadium has been a great equalizer to potent offenses.

In the BBCOR era, it’s become even tougher.

The Hawaii baseball team showed what it’s capable of at the plate last weekend, pounding a top-15 team on the road for 44 hits and a .361 average in a series win at UC Santa Barbara.

Now it’s back home, where the Rainbows know duplicating last week’s feat will be next to impossible.

"It’s a different animal trying to hit here," Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said. "You’ve got to hit a line drive if you want to get a hit. That’s why it’s so tough to hit here."

With the change in bats starting in 2011, offensive numbers have plummeted across the country.

It’s made UH’s home stadium — which already plays tough with the wind usually blowing in from left and infield turf that slows ground balls — that much more difficult to hit in.

And not just for the Rainbow Warriors.

All five UH opponents to play at the Les this season hit at least 14 points worse than they did elsewhere.

No. 19 Oregon hit .239 in a four-game sweep of the Rainbows to open the season, 35 points lower than its current .274 team average. Pepperdine, ranked No. 29 in Collegiate Baseball, hit .230 in a four-game split with UH, 47 points below its current .277 mark.

"Guys come in here thinking they can hit home runs and it’s right to the warning track," UH center fielder Kaeo Aliviado said. "It’s unbelievable how this park plays."

It’s common knowledge that the wind blows in from left on most nights, making it nearly impossible to drive one over the left-field wall. But is there more to it than just that?

"It’s confusing because it looks huge but the alleyways aren’t that big," senior Adam Hurley said. "Outfielders definitely cover more ground here."

Hurley transferred to Hawaii after playing two years at Rio Hondo Community College, where he was second in his league with 10 home runs his sophomore year.

In his junior season at UH, he hit one of only four home runs the ‘Bows hit all year, and one of two hit at home.

Hawaii has gone yard three times this year, with two coming in 20 games at the Les.

Hurley, who is batting .315, has had all 17 hits this season go for singles as he’s adjusted to the park he plays in.

"It’s something you’ve got to deal with," Hurley said. "I love playing here, but it’s the downside to playing in a park like this."

Once used to it, however, it becomes a distinct advantage to the home team.

Hawaii had gone 10 straight seasons with a winning record at home before last year with a winning percentage of .617 (222-138) between 2003 and 2012.

UH is 11-5 at home this season since getting swept by the Ducks.

"It plays in our favor because we play here every time," Aliviado said. "I thought I could come here and hit home runs, but it’s just not that easy. All of us players have to adapt to it, but we know what other teams are facing when they come in here."

UC Irvine is the next team to take on the Les with a three-game series starting Friday night.

The Anteaters (18-10, 2-1), who last played here in 2009, are hitting .272 as a team with eight home runs.

Staff ace Andrew Morales is 5-0 and ranks in the top 10 in the country with 56 strikeouts and a 0.51 ERA. He’s walked only 12, with opponents batting just .148 against him in 522⁄3 innings.