It is symbolic that after overcoming injuries and other obstacles during their University of Hawai'i softball careers, second baseman Alana Power and first baseman Tyleen Tausaga are on the right side.

"They've been through a lot, and we're going to miss them," head coach Bob Coolen said. "We're going to be losing a lot on the right side."

Power and Tausaga will be playing their final home games when the Rainbow Wahine host Fresno State tomorrow and Saturday.

To be sure, Tausaga said, "this isn't the end. We have a lot more games left."

The Rainbows play a three-game series at Utah State next week, and compete in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament the following week. They are all but assured a berth in the NCAA Regionals.

But the final home series is a time to reflect — and celebrate — both seniors' careers.

Power, a Kona native, was recruited as a strong-armed shortstop. But as a freshman, she suffered a detached muscle in her right forearm. The injury cost her the 2003 season and a future as a shortstop.

"Her arm strength was lost after her freshman-year surgery," Coolen said. "She just lost it. She never really regained her real strong throw she had when she was a freshman."

Power moved to second, which was less taxing on her arm but required more duties, such as covering first on all bunts.

"It's a different look on the field," Power said. "Second base actually has a lot more going on than I gave it credit for. There are a lot of plays this program has at second base, with various positionings on the field. The adjustment was difficult, but I think I got it now."

Power has developed into a dependable hitter. She entered this season with .147 career average. This season, she is hitting .278 with four home runs.

"After four years of being a role player, Alana has worked herself into being a very good on-the-field captain, keeping everyone together," Coolen said.

Power, who will graduate next month with a bachelor's degree in psychology, welcomes the spotlight. After all, she said, she aspires to a stage career.

Tausaga did not imagine she would earn a UH scholarship while growing up in Palolo housing. "I never thought I would be able to go to college until my senior year (at Kaimuki High) when it was time to sign," she said. "Bob gave me a full ride. I thought of my parents. They gave up so much for me. Going to school for free was the least bit I could give back to them."

Tausaga's mother instilled the passion for softball. Her father and an uncle taught the smooth swing that has launched 22 home runs the past two seasons.

"They would never let me swing up or down," Tausaga recalled. "Everything was straight across. If I went up a little bit or down a little bit, my dad was right in my face, letting me know it was the wrong swing. I guess all of that yelling really stayed with me."

Tausaga had played baseball through the seventh grade. She pondered trying out for an intermediate baseball team, but instead opted to play basketball.

"My younger brother was on the (baseball) team, and I didn't want to play with him," she said. "He didn't want to play with me, either."

Still, she idolizes her brothers, Tyrone and Tyler. "Not sure where all of the 'Tys' came from because my mom is Brenda and my dad is Lene," she said. "My mom's license plate is '3T' for Tyrone, Tyleen and Tyler."

Tausaga wasted little time in making a name for herself at UH.

"Tyleen will leave the program with a whole bunch of attributes that we won't be able to replace right away," Coolen said. "Every time she entered the (batter's) box, from her freshman year to her senior year, there was never a doubt in her mind that she was going to make contact. Sometimes she does strike out, but there's always the sense you still have the game in hand if she's up there."

But there were concerns if Tausaga would play this season after suffering a torn knee ligament last summer. After recovering from that injury, she suffered a torn meniscus to the same knee.

She has not missed a game this season while alternating between first base and designated player. She is hitting .401, and has drawn 21 walks, two of which were intentional.

Tausaga is looking forward to her most significant walk, at the commencement ceremony next year, when she receives her bachelor's degree.

"I'll be the first person, on both sides (of my family), to graduate," she said. "My family is really proud of me for what I'm doing in school. I'm happy they're proud of me. I never want to disappoint them."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.