Looking to get more mileage out of his starting rotation, Hawai'i coach Mike Trapasso has made changes for this weekend's non-conference baseball series at Hawai'i-Hilo.

Sophomore right-hander Matt Daly, who has pitched primarily out of the bullpen, but has made four starts, will replace Joshua Schneider (3-2, 3.53). Ian Harrington (6-6, 4.07), the No. 3 starter the last three series, goes back to the No. 1 spot, while Mark Rodrigues (7-2, 3.52) goes to No. 3.

"We've got to do something about our starting pitching because we can't continue to go with guys throwing just four or five innings as starters," Trapasso said. "That's not going to allow us any chance to be successful in either these last nine games or in the tournament, so we've got to find the right mix to get back to where the guys are throwing quality starts."

Since the Western Athletic Conference season started March 23, UH starters have pitched beyond seven innings only twice. Each was a complete game, one by Harrington in his 7-2 win against Louisiana Tech and by Schneider in a 6-0 win against San Jose State.

"I hate tinkering with the rotation this late in the season, but we don't have a choice," Trapasso said. "In six weeks, we've got two quality starts. That's gotta stop."

Daly (4-1, 2.75, 1 save) has allowed two runs (one earned) in his four starts totaling 16 innings. He went five innings in each of his starts, but only one in a staffed game at Pacific several weeks ago. He replaces Schneider, who has labored since his shutout of San Jose State on April 1.

That leaves Tyler Davis (5-2, 3.76, 3 saves) and Jayson Kramer (303, 4.29, 2 saves) as the main pitchers out of the bullpen with Schneider now being counted on to fill Daly's role.

"Schneider's still going to be valuable to us," Trapasso said. "He's just got to come out and be tough out of the bullpen."

The Rainbows (28-19) are coming off a road trip in which they lost two of three to New Mexico State over the weekend and lost a non-conference game at nationally ranked Arizona State.

They return to WAC play next week when they travel to Nevada. The Rainbows close out the WAC season May 19 to 21 against Fresno State at Les Murakami Stadium. The WAC tournament runs May 24 to 27 in Fresno.

The Rainbows open a three-game series in Hilo starting tomorrow. Game times are 6 p.m. tomorrow, 3 p.m. on Friday and noon Saturday at Wong Stadium.

It is the season-ending series for the Vulcans (12-32-1), who just returned from a road trip to New Mexico where they were swept in a two-game series by New Mexico State and in a three-game series at New Mexico.

There are four seniors on the Vulcans who will close out their collegiate careers: Infielder Jon Vitale, pitcher Kaiana Trask, catcher Ryan Taiariol and outfielder/pitcher Robby Mowers.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.