The Hawai'i softball team hopes it will be refreshed with a dip in the pool.

The Rainbow Wahine are seeking consistency in the Bank of Hawai'i Invitational, a pool-play tournament that starts today. UH plays Saint Mary's at 4 p.m. and Colorado State at 6 p.m.

Because of scheduling preferences — Colorado State wants to leave here Saturday and Northwestern does not arrive until Friday — the five tournament teams will play a set number of games. There will not be a championship round.

"We're going from bracket play to straight pool play," UH coach Bob Coolen said.

The Rainbows, who are ranked No. 17 nationally, have had difficulty identifying a No. 1 pitcher.

"We don't have an ace," Coolen said. "We have pitchers throwing."

Courtney Baughman, a junior, was pushed to the front of the rotation as the replacement for Justine Smethurst, who is taking off this semester to tour with Australia's national team.

This year, Baughman (10-5) already has set a career high for victories in a season and matched her 14 starts as freshman in 2006. In last week's tournament, Baughman beat Texas in the round robin. But she did not last past the second inning against North Carolina and the rematch against Texas.

"She can bring it," Coolen said. "She needs to be consistent and have the presence on the mound that no one can rattle her. An aggressive team that is energized will rattle her."

If Baughman can consume innings, it will ease the burden on Kate Robinson, the other starting pitcher who has the added responsibility of being the clean-up batter and part-time first baseman.

Coolen said he will use senior Jessica Morton, the Rainbows' hardest thrower, against specific teams.

But freshman Melissa Gonzalez probably will have a limited pitching role the rest of the season. Gonzalez has emerged as the starting second baseman, supplanting Richie-Anne Titcomb, who is batting .200. Gonzalez is hitting .378, the second-highest average on the team.

Coolen also said he is ending the outfield experiments. To boost the offense, Coolen had moved center fielder Kaulana Gould to catcher. But Coolen said none of the replacements matched Gould's combined skills at the plate and in the field.

"What we were doing was strengthening one position and weakening another," Coolen said. "It really hurt us."

Coolen said Gould will return to center field — Brandi Peiler will remain in left and Tanisha Milca in right — and Katie Grimes will be the regular catcher. Grimes is hitting .200, but she is a good defensive catcher and knowledgeable in calling pitches. She also hit well down the stretch last season.

"We're streaky this year," Coolen said. "We're not as consistent with our lineup one through nine."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.