Friday, February 1, 2002
UH falls to Hawaii got a late start last night against No. 2 ranked Florida State and despite keeping the game interesting, it proved costly.
No. 2 FSU
By Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.comThe Rainbows did rally again in the ninth inning, keeping most of the 1,187 fans from leaving Murakami Stadium early, but a five-run deficit was too much to overcome against the talented Seminoles.
Florida State (4-1) evened the four-game series at one win apiece with an 8-5 victory.
The Seminoles scored two runs in the second on four consecutive hits after two were out and put four hits, all on two strike counts, together for two more runs in the top of the third for a 4-0 lead against starter Ricky Bauer.
"The key to our game was the 0-2 hits," said UH coach Mike Trapasso, who felt the Rainbows came out flat for the first three innings. "Ricky was aggressive in getting ahead on the count, but then tried to nibble and be cute. His pitches were soft and away or up and away and were hit. He'll learn to stay aggressive.
"I want to make sure we didn't come out flat because we beat the No. 2 team the night before. Our job is to win every game. I even lost my temper."
The Hawaii hitters weren't doing what Trapasso hopes becomes routine as the season progresses. They weren't being patient and they weren't using the whole field.
"We have guys with quick hands who can wait on a pitch. The guys know that," said Trapasso. "We have to do a better job of not giving away the first three innings.
"When we take the right approach and don't make mistakes, we can hang with a No. 2 team. I was pleased after the third inning because we picked up our passion."
Each time the Rainbows put a run on the scoreboard, the Seminoles would score two more before Hawaii struck again. Although four Hawaii pitchers combined to strike out 14 FSU batters, the Seminoles banged out 16 hits and they came in bunches in the run-scoring innings.
Jeff Probst, who was 0-for-10 entering the game, led Florida State with four hits, including a double and triple, in five at-bats with three RBIs.
The Rainbows first three runs all crossed home plate when there were two down in the inning. When Lane Nogawa, who had three hits and scored three runs, singled to start the seventh inning, it was the first time Hawaii had the leadoff man aboard.
Brent Cook, Brian Bock and Tim Montgomery each had two hits for Hawaii.
Nogawa doubled down the right-field line to start the ninth inning rally, took third on Arthur Guillen's single to left and scored when Cook reached on an infield error. After Gregg Omori fouled out to right, Scooter Martines lined a single to left, scoring Guillen.
But Kevin Lynch, FSU's third pitcher, ended the uprising by getting Cortland Wilson and Bock to ground out.
Bauer, a freshman right-hander, threw 64 pitches in his collegiate debut. He didn't walk anyone and struck out four.
The series continues tonight with the first pitch scheduled for 6:35.
Left-hander Ryan Yamamoto is scheduled to start for the Rainbows.
Florida State 8, Hawaii 5
Florida State AB R H BI Hawaii AB R H BI Richmond 3b 6 0 1 1 Guillen cf 4 1 1 0 Drew ss 5 0 1 1 Cook 3b 5 0 2 2 Rogers cf 5 1 1 0 Omori 1b 5 0 1 1 Barthelmy 1b 4 2 2 1 Martines dh 5 0 1 1 Smith rf 5 0 1 1 Mocny pr 0 0 0 0 Richie c 4 2 2 0 Wilson ss 5 1 1 0 McQuade lf 5 1 3 1 Bock c 5 0 2 1 Furtell dh 4 1 1 0 Montgmery rf 4 0 2 0 Probst 2b 5 1 4 3 Honma lf 3 0 0 0 Nogawa 2b 4 3 3 0 Totals 44 8 16 8 Totals 41 5 13 5 Florida State 022 002 002 -- 8 16 1 Hawaii 001 001 102 -- 5 13 1 E--Cook, Probst. DP--None. LOB--FSU 11, Hawaii 10. 2B--Rogers, Barthelemy, Probst, Omori, Bock, Nogawa. 3B--Probst. SB--Nogawa. CS--Smith.
Florida State IP H R ER BB SO LaMacchia (W, 1-0) 5.0 5 1 1 1 6 Davidson 3.0 5 2 2 0 6 K. Lynch 1.0 3 2 2 0 0
Hawaii IP H R ER BB SO Bauer (L. 0-1) 2.2 8 4 4 0 4 Yamashita 4.0 6 2 2 1 5 Le Ducq 1.1 1 0 0 0 2 George 1.0 2 2 2 0 3 HBP--Richie (by George). PB--Bock. Umpires--Jim LeBeau (plate), Gary Montalbo (first), John Krasonu (third).
T--3:04. A--1,187.
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