The University of Hawaii baseball team played two games Sunday at Les Murakami Stadium.

That’s noteworthy because doubleheaders are rare for the Rainbow Warriors. But Saturday was graduation day at Manoa, and 10 UH baseball players wore caps and gowns instead of caps and jerseys … 11 if you count Stephen Ventimilia, the four-year starter at second base who completed his eligibility last season and picked up a master’s in adaptive physical education this year.

When one more senior earns his sheepskin next semester, UH baseball’s 100-percent graduation streak reaches three years.

Maybe you’re among those who don’t care about that. Or you think strong academics should be a given and not even considered when evaluating how good of a job a college coach is doing.

What matters to you is if the team wins enough. And unless it wins its remaining six games against some tough competition, Hawaii will finish with a losing record again, four years in a row.

The Rainbows won those two games Sunday, beating UC Riverside 2-1 and 5-4. They head down the stretch 21-26 overall and 10-11 in the Big West Conference.

Going by the records, the Highlanders (21-27, 8-10) are like the Rainbows — a mediocre team in a good conference. What we saw on the field Sunday was well-played college baseball, particularly by UH. No errors in the doubleheader, no walks in the second game — two home runs by Riverside’s Vince Fernandez, but both just solo shots.

UH made pitches and defensive plays and got the hits when it needed them. This was not the case as Hawaii lost 11 of 13, including Friday night’s series-opener against the Highlanders, 2-1 — one of five one-run losses in that slump that came after a 10-2 hot streak that put the Rainbows briefly atop the BWC.

While it’s too late to matter for postseason purposes, UH’s three-game series at Cal State Fullerton to finish the Big West slate this week and at home against Arizona the following represent an opportunity to finish strong.

It won’t be easy. The Titans (32-17) and Wildcats (32-18) are traditional powers. Fullerton is atop the Big West at 14-4 and could conceivably clinch the conference championship by sweeping UH. Arizona is third in the Pac-12 at 15-12.

If the Rainbows play well enough to win three of the six games it will represent significant progress from the previous three losing seasons. There’s some hope for next year with a core of returnees including Kekai Rios, Chayce Ka’aua, Jonathan Weeks, Marcus Doi, Brendan Hornung, Eric Ramirez and Ethan Lopez.

Regardless what happens in these last two series, athletic director David Matlin will be in an awkward position since coach Mike Trapasso has one year left on his contract.

Many would dislike extending the contract of a coach with four-consecutive losing seasons; but if it’s not done it hampers recruiting.

Conversely, can an athletic department that has to beg the legislature for money to cover its travel costs buy out another coach?

Not to mention, one with a 100 percent graduation rate.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. His blog is at Hawaiiwarriorworld.com/quick-reads.