Nationally ranked Fresno State and Hawai'i are clearly the cream of this week's Western Athletic Conference baseball tournament.

The No. 21 Bulldogs (39-16 overall, 18-6 WAC) and the No. 24 Rainbows (40-13, 17-6) are the top two seeds, respectively, in the six-team double-elimination tournament that starts tomorrow at Beiden Field on the FSU campus. This week was the first time Baseball America magazine had two WAC teams ranked in its top 25.

On May 1, only 4 1/2 games separated then first-place UH from last-place New Mexico State. Slowly, the others faded. San Jose State stayed in the fight for the regular-season title, until the Bulldogs and Rainbows swept the Spartans in consecutive series. The Bulldogs won the regular-season crown by a half game over the Rainbows, who finished 5 1/2 games ahead of the third-place Spartans (33-24, 12-12). Hawai'i played one fewer game than FSU because of a snow out at Nevada that was never made up.

But the tournament gives everyone a second chance for a shot at one of 64 regional berths that automatically goes to the champion. Only UH and FSU would have legitimate shots for at-large berths on the strength of their pseudo-Ratings Percentage Indexes (34 and 35, respectively, by Boyd's World's Web site) and their overall records. While their national rankings might help, UH coach Mike Trapasso said he has been told that the selection committee does not use it as a factor.

The Bulldogs would be the apparent favorite being the host of the tournament. They are 30-7 at home, including winning 2 of 3 from UH. Fresno State leads the WAC in batting average (.313), is second in scoring average (7.3 runs per game), second in earned run average (3.78) and third in fielding percentage (.967). They are on an 11-game winning streak.

The Rainbows appear to be the closest answer to the Bulldogs. Hawai'i leads the league in earned run average (3.53), has the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio (400 to 126), is second in fielding percentage (.971) and is third in batting average (.295). It is 16-3 on the road, one of the best marks in the nation. The Rainbows have won 15 of their past 17, eight of their past nine on the road.

The second-seeded Rainbows open with fifth-seeded Louisiana Tech at 8 a.m., Hawai'i time, tomorrow. The WAC's ERA leader, right-hander Steven Wright (10-2, 2.48) will start for UH. The Rainbows won the season series from LaTech, 4-2.

The Rainbows will stick with their usual rotation of Wright, Justin Costi and Ian Harrington.

"And then we have to see after that," Trapasso said.

It is not unusual for teams to bring back a first-day starter for an inning of relief on the fourth day. The Rainbows will play it by ear.

"No matter what the situation, I won't do anything to hurt anybody, especially somebody with a future (like Wright's)," Trapasso said. "Chances of that happening are slim, but you never know. If he can come in for an inning and he was up to it, we'll see."

Wright does have one save from his only relief appearance this season, but it came well between starts. He is projected as a second-round pick in Baseball America Online's top 100 prospects that came out yesterday.

Louisiana Tech is likely to counter with 6-foot-8, 250-pound freshman right-hander Luke Burnett (4-5, 4.11), who beat UH and Wright, 6-1, on March 17 in Ho-nolulu. Burnett allowed a run on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. Wright beat him at LaTech on May 4, 9-1. Wright gave up a run and eight hits with nine strikeouts in eight innings, while Burnett gave up four runs (three earned) and three hits, allowed five walks in 5 1/3 innings. But he did strikeout nine against a UH team that has struck out the fewest times in the league (283, well below the league average of 354).

Meanwhile, Fresno State opens against Sacramento State. The Bulldogs were 6-0 against the Hornets this season, including a series sweep over the weekend to clinch the regular season title.

In the other opener, third-seeded San Jose State plays fourth-seeded Nevada.

The teams have workouts today at Beiden and meet tonight for a banquet in which the all-WAC team will be announced, as well as the top player awards.

WAC BASEBALL TOURNAMENT TEAM CAPSULES

NO. 24 HAWAI'I RAINBOWS

Record: 40-13 overall, 17-6 WAC

Coach: Mike Trapasso, fifth year, all at UH (145-130)

Starters—RH Steven Wright (10-2, 2.48, 14 starts, 110 Ks, 19 BBs in 101 2/3); RH Justin Costi (8-1, 3.45, 13 starts, 63 Ks, 17 BBs in 75 2/3); LH Ian Harrington (7-3, 4.31, 14 starts, 46 Ks, 11 BBs in 85 2/3). Relievers—RH Darrell Fisherbaugh (2-2, 2.86, 9 SVs); RH Tyler Davis (2-1, 2.89, 3 SVs); RH Matt Daly (6-0, 2.22, 1 SV); LH Mark Rodrigues (3-2, 4.37).

Position starters
C—Esteban Lopez (.260, 13 2Bs, 15 RBIs, .994 FA); 1B—Luis Avila (.335, 17 2Bs, 7 HRs, 51 RBIs); 2B—Jon Hee (.284, 34 Rs, 19 RBIs); SS—Eli Christensen (.305, 30 RBIs); 3B—Justin Frash (.362, 12 2Bs, 44 Rs, 47 RBI, .978 FA); LF/CF—Robbie Wilder (.343, 52 Rs, .494 OBP, 14 SBs); LF/DH—Jorge Franco (.225, 11 RBIs, 6 SBs); CF—Derek DuPree (.293, 20 RBIs, 5 SBs); RF—Matt Inouye (.333, 13 2Bs, 28 RBIs, .449 OBP); DH/2B—Joe Spiers (.254, 18 Rs, 15 SBs).

Outlook: Clearly, UH has the deepest quality pitching in the league. It has three strong starters in Wright, Costi and Harrington. The bullpen is just as deep with Fisherbaugh, Davis, Daly and Rodrigues, who also can start. Pitching is the reason UH's longest losing streak of the season is two. At 16-3 on the road, the Rainbows don't faze easily. Since dropping 2 of 3 at Fresno State, UH has won 15 of its past 17. It actually started WAC play 0-3. UH has won every WAC season series, except against Fresno State.

NO. 21 FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS

Record: 39-16 overall, 18-6 WAC, 2-1 vs. UH

Coach: Mike Batesole, 11th year (384-261-1), 4th year at FSU (128-103).

Players: Starters—RH Doug Fister (7-5, 3.86, 17 starts, 96 Ks, 43 BBs in 102 2/3); LH Eddie Romero (12-2, 3.63, 16 starts, 84 Ks, 42 BBs in 111 2/3); RH Andy Underwood (10-3, 3.07, 16 starts, 102 Ks, 31 BBs in 120 1/3). Relievers—RH Brandon Burke (6-5, 3.88, 4 SVs); RH Jason Breckley (3-0, 2.93, 3 SVs). Leading hitters—3B Beau Mills (.355, 14 HRs, 58 RBIs); OF Brian Lapin (.352, 34 RBIs); SS Christian Vitters (.341, 11 HRs, 57 RBIs, 10 SBs); DH Steve Susdorf (.335, 13 HRs, 45 RBIs); 2B Erik Wetzel (.333, 25 RBIs, 9 SBs); OF Loren Storey (.331, 20 SBs); 1B Kent Sakamoto (.324, 35 RBIs, 9 SBs); C Frank LoNigro (.275, 7 HRs, 41 RBIs).

Outlook: The Bulldogs were preseason favorites to win the WAC and projected as the only team to get a regional berth. Except for a blip at Louisiana Tech, where they were swept, the Bulldogs have been consistent. They bring an 11-game win streak into the tournament; their longest win streak of the season was 17. At 30-7 at home, the odds favor FSU. The Bulldogs are in the top three in the WAC in hitting (first), pitching (second) and fielding (third).

SAN JOSE STATE SPARTANS

Record: 33-24 overall, 12-12 WAC, 1-5 vs. UH

Coach: Sam Piraro, 19th year, all at SJSU (620-467-6)

Players: Starters—RH Loren Moneypenny (4-5, 4.95, 15 starts, 78 Ks, 23 BBs in 96 1/3); LH Branden Dewing (7-5, 3.15, 16 starts, 68 Ks, 30 BBs in 105 2/3); RH Josh Amberson (6-4, 4.22, 15 starts, 74 Ks, 28 BBs in 74 2/3). Relievers—RH Steve Jones (3-1, 2.12, 5 SVs); RH Matt Winck (4-1, 3.54); RH Greg Shannon (4-1, 3.31). Leading hitters—OF Ryan Angel (.319, 43 Rs, 16 SBs); OF Chris Williamee (.315, 17 RBIs); OF Sam Hall (.270, 17 SBs); DH Greg Fyfe (.322, 18 RBIs).

Outlook: The Spartans were in first-place contention until they had to face the two teams they had to contend with. They were 33-18 before dropping consecutive series to FSU and UH. They enter the tournament with a six-game losing streak, their longest drought of the season. They are among the nation's leaders in fielding percentage, but don't quite have the offense to match.

NEVADA WOLF PACK

Record: 24-26 overall, 11-12 WAC, 0-2 vs. UH

Coach: Gary Powers, 24th year, all at UN (724-567-4)

Players: Starters—RH Tim Schoeninger (4-6, 4.44, 16 starts, 77 Ks, 19 BBs in 95 1/3); RH Ryan Rodriguez (6-7, 4.94, 60 Ks, 23 BBs in 85 2/3); RH Travis Sutton (5-3, 5.60, 39 Ks, 24 BBs in 64 1/3). Relievers—RH Wesley Dorsett (4-5, 4.50, 2 SVs); RH Matt Renfree (2-2, 4.01, 2 SVs). Leading hitters—3B Matt Bowman (.369, 8 HRs, 38 RBIs, 11 SBs); OF Shawn Scobee (.363, 20 HRs, 48 RBIs); DH Terry Walsh (.286, 6 HRs, 40 RBIs); OF Durell Williams (.244, 18 SBs).

Outlook: Received a first-place vote and was picked to finish second by league coaches. The Wolf Pack have been through a roller coaster kind of season with win streaks of nine and seven that they bring into the tournament. They've had a five-game losing streak to start the season, as well as three four-game losing streaks. A death to freshman pitcher Steven Masten on April 27 was followed with a six-game losing streak.

LOUISIANA TECH BULLDOGS

Record: 32-23 overall, 11-13 WAC, 2-4 vs. UH

Coach: Wade Simoneaux, 4th year, all at La Tech (87-134-1)

Players: Starters—RH Luke Burnett (4-5, 4.11. 12 starts, 68 Ks, 37 BBs in 65 2/3); RH Jericho Jones (5-3, 6.54. 14 starts, 53 Ks, 25 BBs in 64 2/3); RH Matt Lacy (5-2, 4.32. 12 starts, 60 Ks, 18 BB in 81 1/3). Relievers—RH Andrew Alsup (4-1, 3.20, 4 SVs); RH Brandon Hudson (2-0, 2.25). Leading hitters—OF Jericho Jones (.370, 16 HRs, 56 RBIs); OF Brandon Hudson (.356); 3B Ryan Hamilton (.347, 16 2Bs, 42 RBIs); 2B Amos Ramon (.332, 8 SBs); OF Brian Rike (.319, 8 HRs, 34 RBIs, 7 SBs).

Outlook: LaTech once won 16 of 17 before hitting a skid that saw it lose 8 of 9 toward the end. Picked to finish sixth in preseason by the league's coaches, the Bulldogs once led the league at 9-3. UH won a crucial four-game series in Ruston, including a make-up for one rainout in Honolulu.

SACRAMENTO STATE HORNETS

Record: 20-35 overall, 8-16 WAC, 0-3 vs. UH

Coach: John Smith, 28th year, all at Sac State (793-777-1)

Players: Starters—LH Matt Campbell (4-9, 5.40, 16 starts, 56 Ks, 27 BBs in 88 1/3); RH Mitch Lively (0-6, 7.58, 6 starts, 41 Ks, 28 BBs in 57); RH Travis Kane (3-7, 6.32, 11 starts, 60 Ks, 33 BBs in 62 2/3). Relievers—RH Billy Sinacori (3-2, 2.86, 5 SVs); RH Justin Deme (3-6, 4.25); RH Cyrus Sarraf (1-2, 6.47). Leading hitters—3B David Flores (.340, 38 RBIs, 968 FA); C Buddy Morales (.330, 35 Rs, 21 RBIs); 1B Brian Blauser (.270, 9 HRs, 25 RBIs); OF Jim Strombach (.297, 13 SBs); DH Pat Keiper (.302, 27 RBIs); 2B/OF Gary Johnson (.313, 8 SBs).

Outlook: The affiliate member of the WAC brings an 11-game losing streak into the tournament; the streak started with UH's sweep in April. The Hornets are coming off being swept by Fresno State and will face the Bulldogs in the tournament opener.

The WAC announced yesterday that all of the tournament games will be available on streaming video from the conference Web site: www.wacsports.com. High-speed internet is required, as well as a Microsoft Windows Media Player.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.