Not willing to leave anything to chance — or an NCAA committee — head coach Bob Coolen believes his University of Hawai'i softball team needs to reach Saturday's championship round of the Western Athletic Conference Tournament to qualify for a regional berth.

"Being the WAC (regular-season) champion bodes well for us, but I would not say we're a lock (for the regionals)," Coolen said. "To end any doubt, we need to get to that championship day."

As the No. 1 seed, the Rainbow Wahine (45-9) have a bye tomorrow, the opening day of the seven-team, double-elimination tournament in Fresno, Calif.

The Rainbows will play the Louisiana Tech-Utah State winner Thursday. They swept three-game series against both teams, outscoring Louisiana Tech, 21-4, and Utah State, 36-5.

Although Kate Robinson has emerged as the Rainbows' best pitcher (15-0, 1.56 earned-run average), Justine Smethurst has pitched better against Utah State (six-inning no-hitter, with 10 strikeouts).

Against Louisiana Tech, Robinson struck out five in a five-inning shutout, and Smethurst is 2-0 with 15 strikeouts in 11 innings.

"We have some options," Coolen said.

For now, the Rainbows are focused on regaining their groove. Their last game was April 28, although they had an intrasquad scrimmage Saturday. (The starters won, 5-0.)

But they did not practice Sunday, and yesterday they scrapped a workout because of final examinations. They depart for San Francisco this morning, and will arrive in Fresno in two groups — at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

"We just hope our luggage arrives," Coolen said.

Because there will be three games and a banquet tomorrow, the Rainbows will practice in an area near Bulldog Softball Stadium.

The tournament ends Saturday, and the 16 four-team regionals will be announced Sunday.

The Rainbows submitted a bid to serve as a regional host. If they are awarded the bid, they would not be able to leave Fresno until Tuesday morning. If they are sent to a regional on the Mainland, they will try to depart Monday.

In either scenario, Coolen and associate athletic director Carl Clapp will try to work a deal in which the Rainbows could practice at a Fresno community college.

Coolen said there has been no indication if the Rainbows' bid is strong enough. While Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium is a suitable venue, UH lacks alternative practice fields. Teams needing additional practice time could use the adjacent soccer and football practice fields, or go to Ala Wai Field, Coolen said.

But those are matters for another time. Coolen said tomorrow's practice is "crucial."

"We need to get the cobwebs out," he said.

But he has been pleased with the Rainbows' production, particularly at the bottom of the order.

Second baseman Alana Power, who entered the season with a career average of .147 and two home runs, is hitting .287 with six homers this year.

After a slow start, catcher Katie Grimes hit .400 in 17 games against WAC opponents.

"They're right there in our power mix," Coolen said.

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.