The Hawaii Rainbows are poised to do something never accomplished in Mike Trapasso’s 10 years as head coach.

UH can start the Western Athletic Conference season with a series sweep if it can close out Sacramento State with a victory today.

The Rainbows put themselves in that position by winning both games of yesterday’s doubleheader. Lenny Linsky struck out David Del Grande with the tying run on third to seal a 3-2 win in the opener.

Freshman Jarrett Arakawa struck out a career-high nine in the nightcap as the Rainbows won 5-3 to become the only 3-0 team in WAC play.

"We could really help ourselves with a win (today)," Trapasso said. "(Sacramento State) will pitch their way to wins in league, so we need to come out and play well."

Hawaii’s biggest concern is the status of sophomore Pi‘ikea Kitamura, who took a foul tip off of his right hand in the eighth inning of the second game.

Kitamura started at catcher for Garrett Champion, who had caught UH’s previous 11 games, and said the ball hit just below his right thumb, which immediately went numb.

Trapasso said he will start Zach Gallagher (3-1, 2.49) today in place of junior Jesse Moore, who instead will play shortstop. Kitamura will start at third base if he’s able to play.

The Rainbows (17-14, 3-0) have won five in a row and six of their last seven games, executing both at the plate and on the mound.

In its past five games, Hawaii has outscored its opponents 48-13 and hasn’t trailed in any of its games against the Hornets (9-23, 0-3).

"You couldn’t have asked for a better way to get (conference play) started, and we’ll try to come out (today) and keep it going," Arakawa said. "We’ve got a lot of guys that want to come out here every day and play hard and be out here and it just helps us to be focused and ready to play every day."

Arakawa continued to build an impressive resume for a true freshman, pushing his record over the .500 mark at 3-2. His nine strikeouts gave him 41 in 422⁄3 innings and he didn’t allow a run or a walk in the first seven innings.

"I gave up too many hits (11) today, but I really hate walking people," Arakawa said. "I guess hits will come, but I like that no walks."

Arakawa followed up a victory by junior Connor Little (3-1) in the opener. Little allowed three hits and one run in 52⁄3 innings before giving way to Linsky, who pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth.

Linsky allowed his first earned run of the season in the seventh, but struck out Del Grande with the tying runner at third to earn his fifth save.

Del Grande had four hits, including two doubles, on the day as the Hornets out-hit the Rainbows 17-12.

Hawaii hasn’t swept a series in league play since winning three at San Jose State to end the 2006 regular season.