March has become a breathless march for the University of Hawai'i softball team.

The Rainbow Wahine, who host Boston College at 6 tonight, are in the middle of a stretch of 15 games in 10 days.

After going 4-3 in last week's tournament to improve to 16-5, the Rainbows had a light workout yesterday to prepare for the Eagles. The Hawaiian Airlines Spring Fling Tournament begins tomorrow, with the Bank of Hawai'i Invitational next week. Depending on the results of the bracket rounds, the Rainbows could play a possible 34 games in March.

In contrast, Boston College is 1-1. The Eagles competed in a tournament in Georgia last week.

That is why the Eagles, who arrived in town Saturday, wanted to play a single game before the start of the Spring Fling tournament.

"They've only played two games, which is really odd for most teams around the country," UH coach Bob Coolen said.

Coolen has watched no videos of the Eagles. He will go with his usual blind-date strategy.

"We're going to go in, pitch Juz (Justine Smethurst), and hope for the best," Coolen said.

Smethurst is 5-3 with a 1.61 earned-run average, striking out 46 in 52 1/3 innings.

"I need to get back to her since she hasn't pitched since Saturday," Coolen said. "She's been consistent."

If only it were that easy for Coolen to fill out the rest of the lineup card. Kaulana Gould, Kathryn Grimes and Stacey Yamada have rotated at catcher. Valana Manuma's prolonged hitting slump has cost her playing time at shortstop.

Gould, who is hitting .333, is the most experienced catcher. But she also is a skilled centerfielder.

"Kaulana has a quick release and does a good job of calling a game," Coolen said. "When we take her out of center field, we weaken our outfield."

Grimes, a freshman, has a strong arm but tends to throw from a wind-up motion, slowing her release. Grimes also is hitting .048.

The Rainbows can afford a light-hitting catcher only if Manuma regains her groove. Manuma opened the season as the leadoff hitter. But she has struck out 24 times in 50 at-bats, is hitting .160 with an on-base percentage of .250, and has not attempted a steal this year.

It is an unexpected start for Manuma, who was a dependable contact hitter last season. Coolen said Manuma appears to have difficulty picking up pitches quickly, resulting in late swings.

"When you start pressing, the ball gets smaller and smaller," Coolen said.

For now, Manuma will bat in the bottom third of the lineup.

"She's a good player," Coolen said. "I hope she can work it out."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.