FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
HONOLULU – University of Hawai’i athletics released the 2014 Rainbow Warrior baseball schedule on Saturday. The 53-game schedule features a slew of top-notched non-conference opponents as well as another challenging Big West Conference slate. Included are 2013 NCAA Tournament participants Oregon, Cal State Fullerton, Cal Poly, and UC Santa Barbara. Cal State Fullerton advanced to the NCAA Super Regional and was ranked as high as third in the nation during the season.
“We pride ourselves on having a difficult and challenging schedule year in and year out, and this season is no different,” said UH head coach Mike Trapasso, who enters his 13th year at the helm of the Rainbow Warriors. “We open up again with Oregon and also make a trip to Texas to play a tough Longhorn team. There won’t be any off weeks once conference play starts as the Big West is as tough a conference as you’ll find in the nation. Our fans will also get to see quality teams in Nevada and Pepperdine, whom we haven’t played in a while.”
The ‘Bows will play 36 games in the friendly confines of Les Murakami Stadium where they ranked 13th in the nation in attendance last season, the highest in six years. They kick off the campaign hosting national power Oregon for the fourth straight season, and will also welcome Big West foe Cal Poly as well as perennial power Pepperdine.
After a 12-game homestand to start the season, the ‘Bows will head to the midwest for a four-game non-conference set at Texas, then return home for four contests against former Western Athletic Conference rival Nevada.
The Rainbow Warriors close March on the road when they open Big West play at UC Santa Barbara. UH hosts the next two series against top-tier conference teams UC Irvine and Cal Poly, then embarks on its longest road trip of the season. The ‘Bows will play seven games in 10 days comprised of series against Cal State Northridge and Cal State Fullerton sandwiched around a midweek game at Southern California.
UH also welcomes to town first-time opponents Albany (Feb. 20-23), Alabama-Birmingham (Mar. 20-23), and New York Institute of Technology (May 2-4).
Hawai’i will also play its annual alumni game on February 8. The ‘Bows play their season opener against Oregon on Friday, Feb. 14, at 6:35 p.m. at Les Murakami Stadium.
