For all of the University of Hawai'i softball team's achievements this season — 40-8 record, No. 16 national ranking, No. 14 among 277 teams in the Ratings Percentage Index — self-approval only will come with a good showing against Fresno State today and tomorrow at the Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.

"Fresno State sets the standard," UH coach Bob Coolen said, referring to the Bulldogs' 22 consecutive NCAA postseason appearances and 1998 national title. "It's always been Fresno, Fresno, Fresno. They've solidified themselves as a premier team."

Entering tonight's game and tomorrow's doubleheader, the Rainbow Wahine are 11-1 in the Western Athletic Conference with a week left in the regular season. The Bulldogs are 8-1.

"If we lose two out of three or all three, then we're back to where we were at the beginning of the season," said Coolen, whose team is seeking its second regular-season title since joining the WAC in 1997. "We need to not just play well, we need to win some games."

That will be a difficult challenge for the Rainbows, who will face the WAC's best pitcher. It is conceivable that Robin Mackin might start all three games.

Mackin has pitched in 42 of the Bulldogs' 49 games this season. She is 26-8 with WAC-leading 1.26 earned-run average.

Relying on a riseball that reaches speeds of 68 mph, Mackin has 286 strikeouts in 228 innings.

Mackin, a sophomore, is a member of Canada's national team.

"She has all of that exposure, all of that poise, all of that confidence with being on that team as an 18-year-old," Coolen said. "You can't give anyone that experience. That is something that is earned, and she has embraced it in her confidence on the mound. For us, it's a matter of trying to shake it."

As of last night, Coolen had not decided on his pitching rotation. Justine Smethurst has the most victories (15-6) and strikeouts (132), but Kate Robinson is 12-0 with a 1.44 ERA.

"We're going to wait and see what our best hand will be," said Coolen, who will not announce a starting lineup until the pregame meeting. "I want my whole team to prepare as if they're going to start. I don't want anyone to think, 'I'm not starting, I don't have to put 100 percent into warmups.' I want them all to think they're going to start."

But the batting order that has produced an NCAA-leading 64 home runs appears to be set except at shortstop.

Valana Manuma suffered a concussion in an April 6 game against New Mexico State. She was medically cleared to resume practicing on Monday. Coolen said Manuma probably could use more time in batting practice.

"Valana is practicing, but right now she's a little behind," Coolen said. "It's just that when somebody goes out there and throws 65 to 68 mph, if you're a little behind, you're going to have a tough time catching up."

If Manuma is not ready, Traci Yoshikawa, who usually serves as a pinch-runner, will open at short.

"She's just aggressive," Coolen said of Yoshikawa. "She did a nice job when we brought her in against New Mexico State."

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.