UH's big first inning makes it easy on Ho
By Al Chase
Star-BulletinA starting pitcher has to count on his friends: those teammates behind him in the field and the ones taking their licks at the plate. Randon Ho received one of the best presents his friends could give him last night, an eight-run first inning as Cal State Sacramento starter Mark Rodriguez failed to retire a batter.
The University of Hawaii went on to defeat the Hornets, 20-9, at Rainbow Stadium.
It was the first time the Rainbows (3-1) had scored 20 runs in a winning effort since beating California, 21-6, in 1993.
Ho agreed that the big lead made it easier for him.
"That really took a burden off my chest," the 5-foot-10 sophomore left-hander said. "I didn't feel the need to get down on myself if something bad happened."
He surrendered six hits in six innings while walking four and striking out five. It was a better performance than last week against the University of San Francisco.
"In high school he went out and threw and was successful," UH pitching coach Carl Furutani said. "You can't do that at his level. When Randon stays within his capabilities and understands what he can do he'll make his pitches."
Ho used the fastball, curve and change-up last night and went to a full count on just two Hornets (0-1). He was more relaxed than against USF, which he said was the result of an improved mental approach.
"If I don't relax then I don't know what's going to happen," Ho said. "I had good command all around. My curve ball was working very well. They are a free-swinging team, so they bit on the change-up a little more than normal."
Walks to four of the seven batters he faced hurt Rodriguez. In the game, nine of the 12 Rainbows drawing a free pass scored.
Matt Wheeler doubled home two runs in the first and had four RBIs. Lars Hansen had three RBIs and Shaheed Nelloms doubled twice, driving in a run each time.
"You've gotta start someplace, but it's tough to come in here and face this buzzsaw," Hornets coach John Smith said. "They have a fine club, but we should have played better."
COACHES VOTE: The Western Athletic Conference coaches have picked Fresno State to win the West Division and the league tournament in a preseason poll. Brigham Young was picked to win the North Division and Rice is the choice in the South Division. UH was picked to finish third in the West behind San Diego State.
HURTING: UH infielder Rory Pico strained a groin muscle and is day-to-day.
Rainbows 20, Hornets 9
Cal State Sacramento HawaiiE-Hodgson 2, Chan 2, Gilman, Visger, Dartt. DP-CSS 1 (Gilman-Visger-Hodgson. LOB-CSS 8, UH 11.ab r h bi ab r h bi
Hodgson 1b 3 1 1 0 Blakely cf 2 2 0 0
Hoover 1b 1 1 0 0 Martin cf 2 0 0 0
Marshall 3b 2 1 1 1 Honma rf 3 2 1 0
Payne 3b 1 0 0 1 Takamori rf 2 0 0 0
Walker lf 3 0 0 0 Aloy lf 2 3 1 1
McGuire lf 2 1 1 1 Whitsett lf 2 1 1 0
Elorduy dh 3 0 1 1 L. Hansen c 3 3 2 3
Harkness dh 2 0 0 0 Aoki c 1 1 0 0
Dominisse c 2 1 1 0 Nakano dh 2 3 0 1
Martinez c 1 1 0 0 Stegmaier dh 2 0 0 0
Bolton cf 3 0 0 0 Konishi 1b 3 1 1 1
Jackson cf 2 0 0 0 Perreira 1b 2 1 2 1
Ford rf 1 0 1 0 Wheeler 3b 3 1 2 4
Doria rf 2 1 0 1 Murphy 3b 2 0 0 0
Gilman ss 2 0 0 1 Nelloms 2b 4 1 2 2
Prieto ss 1 1 0 0 Chan 2b 1 0 1 1
Visger 2b 3 0 1 0 Dartt ss 5 1 2 1
Gutierrez 2b 1 1 0 0
Totals 35 9 7 6 Totals 41 20 15 15
Cal State Sacramento 100 110 141- 9
Hawaii 815 303 00x-20
2B-Elorduy (1), Dominisse (1), L. Hansen (2), Nelloms 2 (2), Whitsett (1), Perreira (1). 3B-Marshall (1). HR-McGuire (1). SB-Marshall (1), Blakely (6), Honma (3), Nelloms (1). SF-Payne (1), Gilman (1).
IP H R ER BB SORodriguez pitched to seven batters in the first.Rodriguez (L, 0-1) 0 2 7 6 4 0
R. Hansen 31/3 8 10 6 5 3
Borghino 22/3 4 3 3 2 4
Harris 2 1 0 0 1 3
Ho (W, 1-0) 6 6 3 3 4 5
Baptista 1 1 1 1 0 2
Sakaino 1 0 4 0 1 1
Watterson 1 0 1 1 1 0
WP-Rodriguez, R. Hansen. Borghino, Harris, Sakaino, Watterson. Balk-Borghino. HBP-Nakano and Wheeler (by Borghino), Hoover (by Sakaino).
Umpires-Montalbo (plate), Ogawa (bases), T-4:10. A-776.
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