In a departure from past seasons, the University of Hawaii softball team embarked on its final road trip of the season Wednesday morning with a definite return date.

Previously, the Rainbow Wahine packed up for the mainland unsure of the road ahead while anticipating a bid to the NCAA tournament or harboring hopes of extending their stay through a conference tournament.

But without a tournament in the Big West, UH’s struggles in conference play leave the Wahine to close the season with a three-game series at UC Davis starting Friday before returning to campus for final exams next week.

"We know we’re not going anywhere, obviously, and it’s not the season we had hoped it would be, but we just have to finish strong and not roll over and die," UH right fielder Keiki Carlos said. "We talked in the locker room after practices and in huddles to play for each other these last couple of games."

The Wahine (21-26, 6-12 Big West) and Aggies (18-31, 7-11) play a doubleheader on Friday starting at 10 a.m. Hawaii time. They close the season with a single game on Saturday at 9 a.m.

UH coach Bob Coolen recommended adding a conference tournament to possibly enhance the conference’s chances of getting multiple teams into the NCAA tournament and offer more programs the opportunity at a postseason run.

Coolen said he’s been told the matter is under discussion.

"It would be nice to posture for," Coolen said. "You’re preparing for something."

Coolen’s stance isn’t simply a reaction to UH’s first sub-.500 season in a decade. He pitched the idea at last year’s Big West coaches meeting after the Wahine went 20-4 to capture the conference title.

A postseason tournament might create some tension for the regular-season champion, but "I am all for a tournament regardless," Coolen said.

He cited the energy generated by the Western Athletic Conference tournament during UH’s membership. The WAC revived its postseason tournament in 2006 and UH entered as the top seed three times, winning in 2010.

The Wahine were rewarded for winning the regular season with at-large berths to the NCAA regionals in 2007 and 2012. UH was also invited in 2008, when the tournament helped the WAC place a league-record four teams in the regionals.

Coolen’s idea for the Big West would be to hold a tournament at Cal State Fullerton for its accessibility and because Anderson Family Field is one of the few in the conference with lights.

As it is, the Big West one of five conferences without a tournament has been awarded one NCAA tournament bid three of the past four years.

Five Big West Conference teams have at least 30 wins this season, the most for the conference since 1997.