It will be a hit-or-miss scenario when Hawaii plays UC Riverside in a three-game series beginning today at the Riverside (Calif.) Sports Complex.
The Highlanders have sculpted an offense that matches a home field with outfield gaps that stretch to 380 feet. This season, 31.3 percent of their hits have come on 24 homers, five triples and 52 doubles. But the UCR hitters are striking out every 3.8 at bats, or nine times per game.
Outfielder Dean Miller exemplifies the Highlanders’ approach. Miller has team highs in average (.323), extra-base hits (seven homers, six doubles) and strikeouts (once every 3.2 at bats). He is averaging a walk every 25.6 plate appearances.
“They’re big and they’re physical and they play in a hitter’s park,” UH coach Mike Trapasso said. “Their guys are up there looking to drive balls and hit them in the air. They’re hitting some home runs. They’ve got some big strong guys in their lineup. You’ve got to be able to keep the ball down and try to get some ground balls.”
The Rainbow Warriors are countering with what they believe to be a low-ball approach. This series’ UH starters — Aaron Davenport today, Cade Smith on Saturday and Logan Pouelsen on Sunday — consistently attacked the base of the zone against UC Davis last weekend. Davenport induced three Aggies to ground into double plays. Before exiting after being struck on the right thigh, Smith forced grounders on six of his eight outs. In 62⁄3 innings, Pouelsen got 15 groundouts.
Those three UH pitchers have enjoyed midseason comebacks. Davenport has 2.04 ERA since returning from a strained rotator cuff in his right (pitching) shoulder. Smith is averaging 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings in the five games since he moved from an over-the-top motion to a three-quarter delivery. Pouelsen is 2-0 with a 2.63 ERA in his past two starts.
Pouelsen and catcher Tyler Murray have developed an easy connection. They were teammates at Huntington Beach (Calif.) High, and are roommates in Hawaii and on road trips.
“We’ve had a good little chemistry going since high school,” Pouelsen said. “I feel comfortable with him behind the plate. … He helps me when I’m not throwing the pitch right.”
Pouelsen has fully recovered from an elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery in 2016.
“He used to be throwing some cheese at 93, 95 (mph),” Murray said of Pouelsen’s pre-surgery velocity. “And now he’s back to 92. And he’s really good at locating his pitches well. That’s a good thing about him. I know where his pitches are going.”
UCR head coach Troy Percival, who had 358 saves during a 14-year career in the major leagues, will use a committee approach this series. Percival announced he will “staff” the games today and Sunday, meaning he will use multiple pitchers. Riley Ohl (3-2, 3.30) will start Saturday.
BIG WEST BASEBALL
>> Who: Hawaii (13-7, 3-3 BWC) at UC Riverside (9-21, 1-5 BWC)
>> When: 3 p.m. today and Saturday, 10 a.m. Sunday
>> Where: Riverside Sports Complex, Riverside, Calif.
>> TV: None
>> Radio: KKEA, 1420-AM
>> Streaming: BigWest.TV
