In a game of “first word that comes to mind,” Hawaii baseball coach Mike Trapasso was asked about his concerns for today’s road opener of a three-game series.

“Everything,” Trapasso said, referring to Long Beach State, ranked seventh nationally and in first place in the Big West.

Not only will the Rainbow Warriors be without their two best fielders (third baseman Josh Rojas and first baseman Eric Ramirez) today against the Big West’s hitting (.277) and pitching (3.23 ERA) leaders, they will be entering a different dimension.

Last year, Blair Field underwent the first stage of what will become a $10-million-plus renovation project when LBSU constructed a new outfield wall several feet in front of the previous wall. According to the 49ers’ web site, the down-the-line, alley and center dimensions going left-to-right were 348-387-400-387-348 feet. The new dimensions are 335-380-395-380-330 feet. UH and Long Beach did not meet in Blair last season.

“It used to be a big park, similar to ours,” Trapasso said. “But they brought in the fences. I think that’s where you’ve seen the power numbers increase for them.”

In 2015, the last season with the old dimensions, there were four home runs in 31 games at Blair, or a homer every 511 at-bats. This season, there have been 24 home runs in 20 games, or one every 55.6 at-bats.

Lucas Tancas, one of four Dirtbags hitting at least .320, has nine home runs. David Banuelos has seven. “They’re really swinging the bat,” Trapasso said. “They’ve got more power numbers this year.”

The Dirtbags’ three starting pitchers this series — Darren McCaughan (7-2, 2.93 ERA), John Sheaks (7-2, 3.55) and Dave Smith (7-1, 1.77) — each can reach 92 mph on the speed gun and throw mystifying breaking pitches.

“They’ve got guys with tremendous pitch-ability,” Trapasso said. “They’ll throw any pitch in any count.”

For the ’Bows, Brendan Hornung (6-3, 2.94) pitches today, Dominic DeMiero (4-4, 2.65) on Saturday, and Jackson Rees (5-1, 3.77) on Sunday.

Hornung struggled for three consecutive starts before allowing one earned run in seven innings in last week’s victory over UC Irvine. Hornung corrected what was termed issues in “stacking,” the posture and hip movement during deliveries.

“It’s more level shoulder, level hips,” Hornung said. “We kind of use references like ‘putting the dime on the bill of your cap and not letting it fall.’ Once I got that going, I was able to throw more strikes down in the zone.”

Hornung threw strikes on 66 of 103 pitches against UC Irvine.

“We have to continue to work on that,” Trapasso said of Hornung’s delivery. “I’ve got all the faith in him to go out and do it. The great thing about him is when he’s not 100 percent, he still goes out and throws well.”

DeMiero’s return to the rotation last week after missing two starts because of arm tenderness means Neil Uskali will remain in the bullpen for another series. Uskali, who has made 12 starts, pitched well in relief of DeMiero except for relinquishing a key two-run homer.

“It’s tough, but Neil’s a mature guy,” Trapasso said. “He’ll understand (the homer was) part of the game, particularly because he made a good pitch. It was a little too middle but it was down in the zone and the guy put a great swing on it. That’s when you tip your cap as a pitcher and move on. What was impressive was after that, he put down four straight to keep us in it. We’re blessed to have him.”

Because of their ejections in Monday’s game, Rojas is suspended for today’s game and Ramirez will not play in the ’Bows’ final six games. Zack Chan or Jordan LaFave will start at third today. Logan Pouelsen is expected to start at first, with Chayce Ka‘aua filling Pouelsen’s spot as designated hitter.