Forget that the Hawai'i baseball team is coming off its first NCAA regional appearance since 1993 and that it took eventual national champion Oregon State to end the Rainbows' season. The 2007 Rainbows open camp tomorrow with a clean slate.

"We hope that we'll come out with the same attitude and understand that last year's over and we're starting from scratch," said sixth-year UH coach Mike Trapasso. "There's no sense of entitlement. You have to earn everything. We've got to go out and work as hard as we've ever had to accomplish what we hope to accomplish."

With the season opener against Santa Clara just 19 days away, the Rainbows have little time to get their act together.

"It's time to get started," Trapasso said. "I don't like the fact that I scheduled us an opening series in January. We had a hard time getting teams, so it was tough. We didn't want to play too many four-game series because I knew we wouldn't have pitching depth that we've had.

"I think we still have more questions than answers going into these 15 days of practice. The good thing is we have the majority of our team coming back from last year. While we didn't lose a bunch of guys, we lost some guys who were pretty important."

Done with eligibility are outfielders Matt Inouye (.347, 47 RBIs) and Robbie Wilder (.498 on-base percentage), first baseman Luis Avila (56 RBIs), catcher Esteban Lopez (durable and a good handler of pitchers) and pitcher Justin Costi (8-2).

Also lost were pitcher Steven Wright (11-2, 2.30 ERA, WAC Pitcher of the Year), the 56th overall pick who signed with the Cleveland Indians after his junior season; closer Darrell Fisher-baugh (nine saves), who elected not to return; and infielder Joe Spiers (15 steals), who transferred to San Diego State.

PITCHING

The starting rotation begins with Ian Harrington (9-3, 3.99), the hottest starter down the stretch, winning his last five decisions, and Mark Rodrigues (4-2, 4.66), who managed 12 starts after missing two seasons recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery. Both are left-handers.

Making a case for the third spot is JC transfer Nicholas Rhodes, also a southpaw.

"He's a three-pitch lefty that is similar to a Harrington," Trapasso said. "Very competitive, great kid. When we broke camp in the fall, I looked at him as a real possible Sunday starter."

Matt Daly and Tyler Davis both could contribute in spots or if any of the others falter. But Trapasso said he likes both as relievers.

"They're pretty special coming out of the bullpen because they throw strikes and they have above average stuff," Trapasso said. "They can really settle a game for you."

Except for Rhodes, none of the other newcomers established himself. Trapasso said it is not uncommon for that to happen because adjustments are made during fall workouts.

"One area I wasn't pleased with in the fall was ... we didn't throw enough strikes down in the zone like we'd expect," he said.

CATCHING

To appreciate Lopez, consider UH was charged with the fewest passed balls in the WAC with five. Lopez committed one.

Sophomore Landon Hernandez has shown improvement in his receiving skills and handling of the pitchers during the fall.

"He's a guy we're going to rely on heavily," Trapasso said.

INFIELD

Three-fourths of the infield returns with Jon Hee at second, Eli Christensen at shortstop and Justin Frash at third.

Trapasso is high on a pair of freshmen in Kevin Macdonald, a shortstop in high school who can play all infield positions, and third baseman Vinnie Catricala.

Not to be forgotten is sophomore shortstop Nate Young, whom Trapasso said would be starting at most other programs.

But first base is open. The left-handed hitting Kris Sanchez was last year's opening day starter until he was sidelined with a hamstring pull and then by Avila, who hit consistently to keep the job the rest of the season. Trapasso is hoping Sanchez can hit left-handed pitching. Otherwise, there might be a platoon situation at first.

OUTFIELD

The outfield is deep so UH isn't obligated to rush Derek DuPree back from an offseason knee injury. Jorge Franco had a strong fall after batting .216 last season.

"He worked hard in the fall, as far as taking the lead-off hitter's approach and mentality," Trapasso said of Franco.

Newcomers Brandon Haislet has speed and Evan Zimny is hoping to fill the void in the heart of the order, Trapasso said.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.