When it comes to Matador Field, Hawaii baseball coach Mike Trapasso has deep concerns.

“It’s the premier hitter’s park in our league,” Trapasso said of the 58-year-old facility on the Cal State Northridge campus. “Depending on which way the wind is blowing, you can have PlayStation-type scores in this ballpark.”

The Rainbow Warriors made the three-hour drive from San Diego, where they played on Wednesday, to Northridge to test the conditions in advance of today’s opener of a three-game series.

“I remember two years ago, we came (to CSUN) and hit five home runs and lost,” Trapasso said. “The wind was just blowing out. They hit (three). It’s a ballpark that lends itself to some shootouts. Whenever you come to Northridge, you’re expecting higher-scoring games than what you’re used to.”

This season, teams combine to average 12.2 runs per game at Matador Field, about three runs more than CSUN’s road games. The Matadors outscored Gonzaga 15-12 and put up 21 runs against UC Riverside.

The UH coaches have cautioned their hitters to stick to the plan. “Our guys understand it’s still about approach,” Trapasso said of warnings about over-swinging. “We have to go out and play well. The tempo is dictated on the mound for either team. For me, that’s where it starts.”

In negotiating the elements, Trapasso favors low-ball offers.

“Again, to sound like a broken record, but it puts a premium on our pitchers to eliminate freebies” — walks, hit batsmen — “because the chances are high you’re going to give up home runs,” Trapasso said. “If you’re going to give up home runs, make them solo home runs. That’s how you win games here. You eliminate the freebies and you keep the ball down.”

Trapasso has tinkered with the pitching rotation. Cade Smith starts today and Logan Pouelsen on Saturday. Aaron Davenport, who has been the series-opening pitcher the previous four weeks, is the leading candidate to start on Sunday.

Smith has pitched well since complying with a change from an over-the-top motion to a three-quarter delivery. UH has won the past two games Smith has started. Smith’s fastball has increased in velocity from 88-to-90 mph to 90-to-93 mph.

“If he does what he’s done the last few starts — which is try to be efficient, trust his stuff, pound the zone — that’s the key,” Trapasso said. “When he’s efficient, he can dominate because his stuff is so good. The efficiency part of his game is something he’s starting to understand, and hopefully that’ll continue.”

Davenport said he has corrected a motion that brings more force with his hips and arm. Trapasso “wanted my momentum to go to the plate more,” Davenport said.

He pitched a scoreless inning in Wednesday’s victory over San Diego. “He’s getting there,” Trapasso said. “It’s not a one-time correction thing. But he gets it. He understands.”