After three years of coming in on a moment's notice, Hawai'i's Jayson Kramer is being given a chance to move to the forefront.

The senior right-hander has the privilege of starting opening night for the Rainbows against No. 9 UC Irvine tomorrow at Les Murakami Stadium.

"I've always wanted to be a starter," Kramer said. "I never thought I'd hold down No. 1 for this rotation, so this is a real treat for me."

Since joining the Rainbows as a freshman in 2006, the 2005 graduate and starting pitcher at Mid-Pacific Institute has been used exclusively out of the bullpen.

"It depended on what our needs were," UH pitching coach Chad Konishi said of Kramer's past role. "This year, this is the role we think will best suit our team."

In the past three seasons, he has logged 104 2/3 innings from 54 relief appearances, going 4-5 with seven saves. He had a team-leading five saves last year.

"After my sophomore year, I thought that I'd be sticking to the bullpen," Kramer said. "After last year, I felt that maybe I should change roles, become the starter that I wanted to be coming into the program. I think I'm making the transition well. I threw solid in all my outings in the fall."

The coaches are just as interested in how Kramer takes to starting.

"It's going to be a new role for all of us to see him in that position, but it's exciting to see a local boy go out there and toe the rubber Friday night," Konishi said.

The biggest difference for Kramer will be going longer. But at least as a starter, he knows when he will be called to duty. As a reliever, he could be called on at any moment and not know how many innings he might have to work.

"I didn't know how I would feel about that," Kramer said of his new role, "but as the time goes closer to Friday, I kind of like the fact I know when I'm going to throw. I'm able to prepare myself mentally for Friday."

Kramer is optimistic about the season. He certainly would like to complete his collegiate career the way it started: with regional appearance or more. The Rainbows last made the regionals his freshman year in 2006.

"In my four years here, I've seen four falls and now at the end of the spring I've seen four springs and this is the best team that I've been on in four years," he said. "Even (better than) that regional team. Our offense is incredible this year."

Hawai'i's first step to returning to the regionals begins tomorrow. A strong outing by Kramer could set the tone.

"I hope he uses his last three years of his experience that he's had in this program and gives us a great effort and set the table for the rest of the weekend," Konishi said.