Kenn Wakakuwa stretches at first base and comes up with the ball for an out Thursday night.
Photos by Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin

The University of Hawaii pitcher learned all about the NCAA requirement while trying to get the paperwork completed that proved to academic advisors that he has completed 50 percent of the credits in his major.

Over the past three months, there were times when the transfer from Mission College (Calif.) by way of Campbell High and UH-Hilo wondered if he would ever pitch again.

But all those doubts and fears were erased after his 4-1 complete-game victory over Wright State last night that assured the Rainbows of advancing into the championship round.

They were joined by Oregon State and Lewis-Clark State, who, like Hawaii, have 3-1 records in the 21st annual Bank of America Rainbow Easter Tournament.

The fourth team will be either UH-Hilo or Nittaidai. That will be determined today, with the other two squads falling into the losers' bracket.

UH head coach Les Murakami said the seeding will be determined after round-robin play is completed tonight. Hawaii plays Lewis-Clark State at 6:35 p.m.

The top-ranked Warriors of the NAIA will face Robby Robinson. Murakami said he will come back with Randon Ho in tomorrow's semifinal game and Paul Ah Yat on Sunday.

They will be hard-pressed to match the solid performance of Hermosura, who gave up only one run on six hits. He walked one and struck out seven in his first victory of the season.

The Rainbows are 20-14 for the season. The Raiders of Wright State fell to 3-15. They also are 0-4 in the tournament, and can finish no higher than fifth.

Thanks in part to Hermosura, such is not the case for the Rainbows. No matter what happens tonight, they have a shot to advance to Sunday's 3 p.m. final.

"I didn't even think about that," Hermosura said. "I just wanted to come out and give my best effort, let them hit the ball in play and let my team play some defense.

"I've been working out a lot in the bullpen so I could be ready for a night like this. I'm a little surprised I went nine innings.

"This year has been very frustrating for me. I had an incomplete last spring that was never changed. When my transcripts got here, I didn't know.

"So I had to go back and call the guy. He's only a part-time instructor, so we played a lot of phone tag before I finally reached him and got my paperwork."

And in Murakami's mind, none too soon. Having a solid relief man from the right side has proved difficult for the UH team. He could be a long reliever or the bullpen closer.

"We'll just have to wait and see," Murakami said. "The good thing is, we also got some timely hits tonight. I think our team is finally coming around."

UH third baseman Robert Medeiros certainly hopes so. Over the last month, his average has dipped as much as 80 points. But last night, some shots finally fell.

He went 3-for-4 with three RBIs to pace the UH offensive attack. Jason Ross also went 3-for-4 with two runs scored. He made a nice diving catch in right as well.

"Hopefully, we're starting to put something together," Medeiros said. "It has been a real struggle for me personally. I was glad to get some timely hits."

Hawaii certainly needed them early and often after Wright State jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first.

The Raiders got things started after Andy Matko hit a sinking liner to center that Darren Blakely lost in the lights. The ball got by him for a triple.

Phil Long followed with a deep fly to center that easily scored Matko for the first run of the game. Hawaii scored the second run in the bottom half of the inning.

Hot-hitting Neal Honma opened with a triple off the wall in right. He came around to score the tying run on a sharp single to center by Medeiros.

Hawaii took the lead with another run in the second on back-to-back two-out doubles by Ross and Blakely. Ross' hit the wall on the

fly in center and Blakely's was an RBI-shot into the gap in left.

"You always like to produce runs with two outs and from guys in the bottom of the order," Murakami said. "We haven't been getting that many timely hits lately."

Medeiros certainly got one in the sixth as the Rainbows added a pair of insurance runs.

Ross got things started with a two-out single to center. Blakely was hit by a pitch and Neal Honma loaded the bases on catcher's interference.

Medeiros then lined a fastball into the gap in right for a two-run single to give Hermosura a little breathing room.

"I needed that hit," Medeiros said. "Hopefully, I'm out of this slump and will get some more key hits the rest of the way."

Matt Bailie scored the winning run on a wild pitch by relief pitch

er Tyler Yates that cost starter Klayford Nakaahiki the game. He fell to 0-6.

Oregon State pitcher Eric Lovinger went the distance to raise his mark to 6-0.

The Beavers are now 16-5-1 for the season and 3-1 in tournament play. Hilo fell to 9-25 and 2-2, respectively.

Lewis-Clark State scored the winning run on an RBI-double by Tristan Fike that scored Andy Beerbower from second. He reached first on a strikeout, thanks to an error by the catcher.

Reliever Mike Megee picked up the win and assured Lewis-Clark State of advancing to tomorrow's championship round.

Nittaidai fell to 1-3 in tournament play.