Two weeks ago, Hawaii departed for a six-game road trip that the eight seniors playing their final home games this weekend won’t soon forget.

Since joining the Big West Conference, it’s been an ongoing struggle. A 16-win season in 2013, matching the lowest total in 38 years, was followed up by a 6-18 record in conference last year, tying for last place.

Hawaii had only nine nonconference victories this season and was swept at UC Irvine to fall into a deeper hole.

That could have been it. Hawaii was 28 games into another losing season that seemed destined to finish like the previous two years.

Instead, Hawaii has battled back to reach its final week of conference play still technically alive in the Big West race. UH is in fourth place and has doubled the amount of league wins it had a season ago.

That never-quit attitude begins with a senior class that has overcome its share of adversities.

"We easily could have rolled over after that first sweep at Irvine," second baseman Stephen Ventimilia said. "We’ve battled back and I just hope that this momentum can roll over into next year and show the guys that we can compete in the Big West."

Ventimilia, one of three seniors who have spent at least four years with the program, lost his starting spot as a sophomore after hitting .293 as a freshman. He’s missed games with injuries three years in a row, including 13 straight this year with an injured knee. He’s come back to score seven runs and steal five bases over his past six games.

"I came here really shy and scared and didn’t know what to expect coming and I think it showed who I was," Ventimilia said. "I think I’ve matured as a player and as a leader and maybe the results weren’t there all four years but I hope I motivated guys to get better on and off the field."

Three of the eight seniors have missed considerable time with major surgery, including fifth-year starter Jarrett Arakawa.

Arakawa, who can become the eighth UH pitcher to start 50 games if he makes his final two scheduled appearances, came back from a second shoulder injury partly because he wanted to play a role in moving the program forward.

"A lot of this year we talked about what we would leave as seniors," Arakawa said. "We wanted to show future teams that we can compete starting right now and hopefully that mentality can carry on for the rest of this year and the years moving forward."

Arakawa missed all of the 2013 season following his first shoulder surgery while fellow lefty Andrew Jones pitched in one game before having Tommy John surgery.

Jones, who was one of the top recruits for the 2013 season coming in, has played a huge role in Hawaii’s recent success.

Jones pitched 61⁄3 innings of three-hit ball in a nonconference game against UC Davis, walking one and striking out four.

From that point on, he is 1-0 with a 2.03 ERA and a save, allowing eight hits in 131⁄3 innings with 12 strikeouts.

"It’s been fun — finally," Jones said. "I’ve showed glimpses every now and then but being able to do it for a longer stretch and a longer time period is pretty rewarding."

Jones credits his health — and his maturity — for his recent run. He tended to shake off a lot of pitches that head coach Mike Trapasso called early in the season, but he has learned to trust his stuff, especially his fastball, as well as the pitches that are called.

"When I came back I had to trust the stuff and trust myself to be able to let it go and then when I did that, I had to trust being able to throw the pitches called," Jones said. "I was shaking way too much and I think now that I’m out there I’m throwing what he wants to put down and it’s been a lot easier."

Jones’ commitment to Hawaii has started a pipeline for Australian-born players that followed with current shortstop Jacob Sheldon-Collins.

Trapasso made his first trip to Australia two summers ago and Sheldon-Collins was recruited after Jones put in a good word.

Jones played for Sheldon-Collins’ father in Australia before going to junior college and played on the same state team with Sheldon-Collins, who is hitting a team-best .348 in Big West play.

"I don’t know if Coach would give me credit for it but I put in a good word (for Sheldon-Collins)," Jones said. "It’s been so cool coming back together in Hawaii after we both split, him going to Iowa and me going to Texas."

The unquestioned leader among the group is outfielder Kaeo Aliviado, who started his 200th career game last week at UC Riverside.

Aliviado, who ranks in the school’s top-10 in at-bats, has hit .260 over his four-year career with 33 doubles, 103 runs and 81 RBIs.

Four of his five home runs have come this year. In addition, he has played exceptional defense in the outfield, wowing the hometown crowd with four years of diving catches and a lively arm.

"He’s been our go-to-guy and as he goes, we go," Trapasso said. "The passion he brings every day and the passion he brings to every single at-bat is what’s fun about coaching him. You don’t replace guys like him and he’s someone where when you come back next fall, you’ll notice right away he’s not here."

Senior day festivities will commence after the conclusion of Sunday’s 5 p.m. game against Cal State Fullerton.