Graduation weekend has always been tricky for the Hawaii baseball team.
Especially when playing at home, trying to balance finals week with baseball and a graduation ceremony for the seniors has made things difficult in previous years.
UH BASEBALL
At Les Murakami Stadium
>> Who: Hawaii (19-25, 8-10 Big West) vs. UC Riverside (20-25, 7-8)
>> When: Today, 6:35 p.m.; Sunday (doubleheader), 12:05 p.m.
>> TV: OC Sports tonight only
>> Radio: KKEA 1420-AM
PROBABLE STARTERS
>> UH: RH Kyle Von Ruden (6-1, 3.11 ERA); LH Alex Hatch (3-5, 4.77); RH Brendan Hornung (3-7, 3.24)
>> UCR: LH Austin Sodders (4-4, 2.92); RH Richard Delgado (0-6, 5.31); TBA
Last season, UH tried to make things easier with an 8:05 p.m. start time against Cal State Fullerton, but the excitement of a close game in the late innings was mitigated by the 11:26 p.m. finishing time.
This year UH has decided to move Saturday’s middle game against UC Riverside to a Sunday doubleheader, giving UH’s senior class a chance to focus on graduation ceremonies on Saturday.
“You don’t have to flip the switch and then come out here against a tough opponent,” senior outfielder Matt LoCoco said. “(Graduation) is exciting. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime deal.”
Hawaii’s record (19-25 overall, 8-10 Big West) has taken a hit over the past four weeks, with its last four losses decided in games that were tied in the seventh inning or later.
The Rainbow Warriors have nine games left to avoid a fourth consecutive losing season, needing to win eight. They also need to end 4-2 in conference to finish with a non-losing record for the second straight year.
UH hosts the Highlanders (20-25, 7-8), who are coached by former California/Anaheim Angels reliever Troy Percival, who was hired last season.
UH has won five of the past six meetings and is 6-3 against UC Riverside in Big West play.
Hawaii had less than half the team available for Wednesday’s practice, but the mood was considerably lighter on Thursday as players got to the ballpark after finishing up their final exams.
Fifth-year senior Lawrence Chew will walk during Saturday’s ceremony and will almost definitely be counted on to pitch in Sunday’s doubleheader that will test both pitching staffs.
Chew has finally started to show his pre-Tommy John surgery form, allowing four earned runs over his last 12 innings. He faced the minimum over a three-inning save in a win over Long Beach State on May 6.
“I didn’t know what to expect or know what my role would be (this season) after not pitching much,” Chew said. “Five years is a long time, but I’ve felt better and better every outing and am glad I could help the team.”
