Hawaii right-handed pitcher Aaron Davenport’s learning curve began when he was 10.

That now mature curveball — complemented with a 12-to-6 o’clock changeup and four-seam fastball — has become an out pitch and one of the reasons Davenport will start in tonight’s Big West opener against UC Irvine at Les Murakami Stadium.

“It’s his stuff,” UH coach Mike Trapasso said of Davenport’s promotion to the front of the pitching rotation. “He’s got the stuff that can win at our level on any night when he’s commanding his three pitches. He’s a competitive guy.”

The Rainbow Warriors are 10-14 entering the three-game series. “This is what we spent the first 24 (nonconference) games preparing for,” Trapasso said. “We found some things where we need to be better, and we found some areas we’re happy with. Overall, we need to be better. There’s no time to be better than this weekend.”

The ’Bows face a UCI team that is 16-4, and whose ace, right-hander Andre Pallante, has not surrendered a run in the past 25 2/3 innings. “He’s a first-round pick,” Trapasso said of Pallante.

In the first 24 games, a UH starter has pitched at least six innings six times. One of the best performances came from Dylan Thomas, who threw seven shutout innings against Longwood. But Thomas, who allowed five runs in four innings in his last start, has returned to the bullpen as a full-time closer. Last year, Thomas led the Big West with 14 saves.

In search of a series-opening pitcher — Jeremy Wu-Yelland has done it four times, Li‘i Pontes twice — Trapasso turned to Davenport, a true freshman from Duvall, Wash. (population 7,813 in 2017).

“I’m very excited for the opportunity to open up conference,” said Davenport, who is 0-1 with a 3.22 ERA.

Davenport has healed from a strain to the rotator cuff of his pitching shoulder suffered on March 3. “Nothing too major at all,” he said. “It was about a week-and-a-half healing process. It’s feeling healthy. It’s feeling strong.”

Two weeks ago, Davenport made his first start since the injury, pitching six scoreless innings against Cal State Bakersfield. Last week, he entered in relief of Thomas, throwing four scoreless innings while striking out eight.

For Davenport, it begins with his favorite childhood pitch. “I’ve thrown a similar curveball since I was 10 years old, and it’s kind of developed to now,” Davenport said. “I recently showed good command of it. I’m excited to see what the rest of the season has to offer.”

While pitchers are cautioned against throwing a curveball too much at a young age, Davenport has been mindful about not taxing his arm.

“I always protected my arm when I was young,” Davenport said. “I always threw (the curve) with a little bit of wrist action instead of elbow action.”

He also has developed confidence in his change-up. “I didn’t throw it a ton in high school,” he said. “But senior year until now, I developed one. It’s been strong for me.”

Trapasso said Wu-Yelland will start Saturday’s game. UH’s Sunday starter has not been determined.

Trapasso said he remains hopeful the ’Bows will play well in Big West games.

“I haven’t changed my mind about that,” Trapasso said. “Talk is cheap, and I’m a pretty good talker.”