Hornets sweep Rainbows

Sacramento State rallies to complete four-game beating of ’Bows

Tim Wheeler hit his second home run in as many days as Sacramento State completed a four-game sweep of Hawaii with a 10-6 win yesterday at Hornet Field.

The 'Bows' road losing streak reached 10 games as they fell into sole possession of last place in the WAC at 2-6 with their sixth straight loss.

Hawaii's 9-19 record through the midway point of the season is its worst since Mike Trapasso's first year as coach, when it had an identical record.

The Rainbows out-hit the Hornets 16-11, but again made poor decisions on the base paths that cost them runs.

Jon Hee had four hits and Kevin Macdonald continued his resurgence with two hits and two RBIs.

Josh Schneider lasted 3 1/3 innings and gave up three runs to take the loss.

Hawaii plays a nonconference game against No. 17 Stanford tomorrow at 3 p.m. before wrapping up the two-week road trip with a four-game series against San Jose State beginning Friday.

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SACRAMENTO, Calif. » One inning that spiraled out of control was enough to continue Hawaii's woes on the road.

A seven-run fourth inning did in the Rainbows as Sacramento State completed the four-game sweep with a 10-6 victory yesterday at Hornet Field.

Hawaii scored more than four runs for the first time in 17 games, but as has been the story all season, when the offense started producing, the pitching completely fell apart.

"Against that pitching we should have scored more than six runs," Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said. "Those six runs still should be enough to win, but then we go out and shoot ourselves on the mound."

Hawaii seemed poised for a breakout game offensively as its first four batters led off the game with singles. Kevin Macdonald's base hit was the fourth in a row and scored Derek DuPree for an early 2-0 lead.

But with Brandon Haislet on third, Macdonald was picked off at first base for the first out. The Rainbows loaded the bases with a walk and a hit batter, but Vinnie Catricala struck out looking and Landon Hernandez flied out to center as they only managed the two runs.

"That's when you need to get that double and we haven't been able to get it," Trapasso said. "We haven't had a crooked number in forever and we finally get it, but it's only two runs."

The Hornets managed to sweep the series by doing exactly what the Rainbows couldn't do. When a possible big inning presented itself, Sacramento State took advantage, particularly in the fourth.

Hawaii starter Josh Schneider took a two-run lead into the inning when Tim Wheeler blasted a two-run homer over the fence in right to tie the score.

Instead of settling down and keeping the Rainbows in the game, Schneider walked the next batter and was pulled for reliever Matt Daly, who continued his struggles this season.

Daly gave up a single and walked three batters, including one with the bases loaded, and the Hornets piled on two more runs. Harrison Kuroda took over for Daly and gave up a three-run double to David Flores as the Hornets scored seven times to take a 7-2 lead.

"That inning just killed us," Trapasso said. "Daly wasn't able to throw anything for a strike and we couldn't get more than four innings out of our starter. You just can't do that."

Hawaii answered with two runs in the top of the fifth, but again, ran itself out of a chance to do more damage. After a leadoff double by Haislet, Macdonald singled him in to make it a four-run game. Jeff Van Doornum got hit by a pitch and Alex Myers singled to center to load the bases with nobody out. Catricala then hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Macdonald, but Van Doornum was thrown out trying to advance to third on the play.

Hernandez followed with a single, but both runners were stranded as Ryan Morford flied out to end the inning.

"When you're down four runs you can't get thrown out trying to tag up," Trapasso said. "For (Van Doornum) to do that when you're down four or five runs is a big mistake."

Haislet finished 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored and Van Doornum, Hernandez and Macdonald each added two hits.