Coach Rich Hill is embracing an ambitious 2023 baseball schedule in which the University of Hawaii will play 13 games against teams that participated in the 2022 NCAA Tournament.
“That’s why guys want to come to the University of Hawaii,” Hill said. “They want to play the best. Being the best environment as possible we try to schedule with the RPI in mind. And really elevating not only our place in the Big West but the Big West as a whole, with the goal being the NCAA Tournament and the Big West championship.”
The Rainbow Warriors, who announced their 50-game schedule on Monday, open the season Feb. 17 against Wright State, the defending Horizon League champion, at Les Murakami Stadium.
The ’Bows will travel to San Diego to play in the Feb. 24-26 Tony Gwynn Legacy.
The ’Bows then participate in the six-team Cambria College Classic in U.S. Bank Stadium, where the NFL’s Minnesota Vikings play their home games. College World Series champion Ole Miss is in the field but will not face UH.
Playing Minnesota in the tournament opener on March 3, Hill said, “that’s going to be a really cool experience. That is arguably the best experiential tournament in college baseball.”
UH then plays host to UConn, which advanced to the 2022 Super Regional, on March 10-13 at Murakami Stadium. Hill credited former UH coach Mike Trapasso for arranging this series.
“We’re trying to bring in top-flight schools from out of the region that hopefully will enjoy Waikiki and get a sunburn at the same time,” Hill mused. “Just like I did, when I came here (as a San Diego State player). Then our fans and our venue can take over. We just want to be that dominant force at the Les.”
The ’Bows begin their 11th season of Big West membership with their league opener against Cal Poly on March 17.
“Cal Poly always is traditionally strong,” Hill said. “Santa Barbara is always traditionally strong. Irvine, Long Beach, Fullerton are a three-headed monster in there, as well. It’s a challenging Big West slate.”
Hill also welcomes last week’s decision for the Big West to hold a postseason tournament starting as early as 2025, with the winner earning an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament. The current format assures the regular-season champion of a berth.
“I think it’s time,” Hill said. “Having a 10-team league and some of our RPI concerns, this is going to allow us to get more than one team in the NCAA Tournament. And it really will enhance the student-athlete experience.”
The initial proposal is to have a six-team tournament, with the top two seeds receiving opening-round byes. The tournament could be held at Las Vegas Ballpark or at one of the Big West fields.
A tournament would give hope to teams that usually would be out of contention by midseason.
Feb. 17-19: Wright State
Feb. 24-26: at Tony Gwynn Legacy in San Diego
Feb. 27: at San Diego State
March 3-5: at Cambria College Classic in Minnesota
March 10-13: UConn
March 17-19: at Cal Poly
March 24-26: Tulane
March 31-April 2: at Cal State Fullerton
April 6-8: Cal State Bakersfield
April 14-16: UC San Diego
April 21-23: Long Beach State
April 25: at Cal Baptist
April 28-30: at UC Riverside
May 2: at Pepperdine
May 5-7: at UC Irvine
May 11, 12, 14: UC Davis
May 19-21: at Cal State Northridge
May 26-28: UC Santa Barbara
