Trojans derail ’Bows

No. 24 USC wins the series finale, snapping UH's 7-game streak

The Hawaii Rainbows met their match yesterday in Southern California freshman left-hander Tommy Milone and junior closer Paul Koss.

First Hawaii Title Rainbow Tournament Where: Les Murakami Stadium TV: Tomorrow, Wednesday and Friday live, KFVE, Channel 5 Radio: Tomorrow, Wednesday and Friday live; Saturday following men's basketball, KKEA, 1420-AM Tickets: $7 orange and blue sections; $6 red section; $5 seniors, and $3 students ages 4-18, UH students in the red section. Parking: $3 Schedule Tomorrow: Washington vs. Arkansas, 2:30 p.m.; Hawaii vs. Texas-Arlington, 6:35 p.m. Wednesday: Arkansas vs. Texas-Arlington, 2:30 p.m.; Hawaii vs. Washington, 6:35 p.m. Thursday: Texas-Arlington vs. Washington, 2:30 p.m.; Hawaii vs. Arkansas, 6:35 p.m. Friday: First semifinal, 2:30 p.m.; Second semifinal (a), 6:35 p.m. Saturday: Championship or third place, 2:30 p.m.; Championship or third place (a), 7:05 p.m. (a): Hawaii plays in the last game regardless of results.

The Trojans ended a three-game losing streak with a 4-3 victory in the finale of the three-game nonconference series at Les Murakami Stadium.

"We got better mileage out of what we had available today than we did (Saturday night)," USC coach Mike Gillespie said. "It was a scramble Friday and today.

"I think UH has done a great job. They are deep in pitching and they don't beat themselves with walks. They are a playoff team."

The loss was the first for the Rainbows (11-3) after seven straight wins.

Milone held Hawaii to five hits through 6 2/3 innings to win his fourth consecutive game without a loss. Koss allowed just one disputed hit in earning his first save of 2006.

"The story of the game was their starting pitcher. He is a three-pitch lefty who is not afraid of throwing his offspeed stuff with a full count," UH coach Mike Trapasso said.

"We didn't like the outcome today, but we were in the game to the end. You have to remember the Trojans are ranked No. 24. They will be in the postseason because of their talent."

Luis Avila hit the first Rainbow home run at Murakami Stadium this season, a shot over the right-center field wall in the second, to give UH a 1-0 lead.

The Trojans (8-7) tied the score in the fourth.

Cyle Hankerd lined a double into the right-field corner on a one-strike pitch. He took third when Baron Frost grounded out and scored on Josh Fogel's sacrifice fly to right.

UH starter Mark Rodrigues experienced control trouble in the fifth inning and it cost him three runs.

Daniel Perales singled to center to start the inning. He was sacrificed to second by Hector Estrella, then stole third.

Lucas Duda walked on a 3-2 pitch and Rodrigues hit Matt Cusick with a 2-2 pitch to load the bases.

Blake Sharpe doubled down the left-field line on the first pitch he saw, scoring Perales and Duda. Cusick advanced to third and scored on Hankerd's sacrifice fly to left to make it 4-1.

"I don't think Mark was sharp today. In every inning, he was falling behind in the count, but battled to give us five innings," Trapasso said.

The 'Bows bounced back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to trail 4-3.

Kris Sanchez was safe at first on a throwing error by shortstop Estrella. Jorge Franco tripled to right on a high fly that landed at the base of the fence on the foul line where it meets the yellow foul line painted on the wall, scoring Sanchez. Franco then came home on Landon Hernandez's sacrifice fly to left.

Fogel lined a single off Joe Spiers' glove at shortstop and Darin Vieira bounced a single over first to start the sixth inning. After Perales sacrificed the runners up a base, Matt Daly replaced Rodrigues.

The freshman right-hander fanned Estrella on a 3-2 fastball, then got Duda to ground out, ending the threat.

Daly finished the game by retiring 11 of the 12 Trojans he faced.

"Matt throws a plus slider, but the fastball is his foremost pitch," Trapasso said.

The 'Bows had a chance on Matt Inouye's questionable double with one out in the ninth. He lined a ball down the left-field line that USC's Roberto Lopez made a sliding, diving attempt to catch. Third-base umpire Nelson Valdez ruled Lopez trapped the ball, but television replays showed his glove clearly under the ball when the catch was made.

The Rainbows did not take advantage as Koss fanned Sanchez swinging and got Franco to line out to center.

Hawaii opens the five-day First Hawaii Title Rainbow Tournament tomorrow against Texas-Arlington. Trapasso said either Justin Costi or Daly, who threw 40 pitches yesterday, will get the start.

Note: Redshirt freshman left-hander Myles Ioane has been diagnosed with a possible stress fracture in his left elbow. It is not known if or when he will pitch this year.

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