Flu-bit Hawai'i closes out its final homestand of the season with a crucial three-game Western Athletic Conference series against Sacramento State.

The Rainbows (29-12 overall, 7-5 WAC) lead the Hornets (20-24, 8-7) by just percentage points in the standings, but both are tied for third 1 1/2 games behind first-place Louisiana Tech.

Although this is the Hornets first season back in the WAC as an affiliate member since 1996, they are very familiar with UH having played here every season since 1998.

"Regardless of their record, they always come in and compete," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "We will have to be at our best to stay in it."

Some Rainbows are still battling the flu. Outfielder Jorge Franco is available. He had been out sick since the series at Nevada two weeks ago.

"He's better, but looks thinner," Trapasso said. "But he swung (the bat) well."

But catcher Esteban Lopez and reserve infielder Adam Roberts are the latest flu victims. Trapasso said both should be available.

Also, second baseman Joe Spiers, who twisted his right ankle in pregame last week, "is very doubtful," Trapasso said.

That means Justin Frash will play third and Jon Hee will play second.

Still uncertain is Sunday's starting pitcher. Ian Harrington had the flu last week and lasted 2 1/3 innings in a 5-3 loss to New Mexico State. Trapasso said Harrington, Matt Daly or Mark Rodrigues would start depending on what happens the previous two days.

Meanwhile, the Hornets might come in with an overall losing record, but they have been doing just fine in the WAC. They helped tighten the race by taking 2 of 3 from Louisiana Tech last weekend.

"It's an exciting trip for us," Hornets coach John Smith said. "Our kids look forward to it and, hopefully, we're going to be competitive this weekend. We know Hawai'i is very solid. They've got great pitching and they've been swinging the bat pretty good. It's not going to be an easy road."

The Hornets average 5.8 runs per game (compared to UH's 6.2). They have five starters hitting over .300. Among them is outfielder Jim Strombach (Moanalua 2002), who is batting .331 and leads the team with 11 stolen bases in as many tries.

The Hornets enter the series without their No. 1 starter in junior left-hander Mick Joyce (5-1, 3.09 earned run average). Smith said Joyce is scheduled to have a magnetic resonance imaging test on his elbow. Smith said the injury is either a stress fracture or ligament tear.

NOTES

About 600 tickets remain for tomorrow's game, UH announced yesterday.

UH right-handed pitcher Rich Olsen said he is scheduled to have Tommy John surgery (elbow) in Los Angeles on Tuesday by Dr. Lewis Yocum.

Other Hawai'i players on Sacramento State are catcher Brett Tanigawa (Moanalua), pitcher Chris Mols (Roosevelt) and infielder Taylor Watanabe ('Aiea). Watanabe's sister is former Rainbow Wahine volleyball player Ashley Watanabe. The Hawai'i players are being allowed to stay at their family homes instead of the team hotel for the trip's duration.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.