’Bows get by for win at Sacramento State

SACRAMENTO, Calif. » The Hawaii baseball team opened its road trip on the right track in the win-loss column.

Hawaii    Sacramento State 9 6 Next Up at Sacramento State, today

The Rainbows bolted to a six-run lead early in yesterday's Western Athletic Conference series opener against Sacramento State, and held on for a 9-6 win at Hornet Field.

Although the fast start put UH (23-11 overall, 4-3 WAC) in control, Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso wasn't all that pleased with the team's overall performance the rest of the way.

"There's nothing very positive outside of the fact that we won the game," Trapasso said. "Our lack of toughness set the tone, going into cruise control the way we did. We started out well and we had no killer instinct."

UH left-hander Ian Harrington (5-5) enjoyed an early cushion when the Rainbows struck for six runs in the second inning, sending 11 batters to the plate. The UH bats went silent over the next four innings as Sacramento State closed to 6-4 in the sixth and chased Harrington.

After the Rainbows extended the lead with three runs in the seventh, Matt Daly gave up two more runs in the eighth -- ending a streak of 22 1/3 innings without an earned run -- and Jayson Kramer closed out the game to earn his second save.

Trapasso was particularly annoyed that the 'Bows had to use two of their top relievers in the opener of a seven-game road trip.

"We get a six-run lead ... and before you know it you're in a dogfight and you have to go to your first couple of guys out of the bullpen, which after getting a six-run lead is just inexcusable," Trapasso said.

"That's going to hurt us the rest of the series, having to use Daly and Kramer like we did today."

A strong start by left-hander Mark Rodrigues (6-2) in today's game (11 a.m. Hawaii time) would help ease the burden on the bullpen.

Trapasso had initially planned to move Joshua Schneider up a day in the rotation to give Rodrigues another day of rest after the senior experienced some tightness following last Saturday's outing against San Jose State. But the coach decided to keep the order intact after Rodrigues threw a strong bullpen session before the team's departure Wednesday afternoon.

Trevor York (1-5) was scheduled to start today for Sacramento State (9-21, 4-6).

Hawaii first baseman Kris Sanchez went 2-for-4, including a two-run single in the second inning yesterday. Designated hitter Vinnie Catricala was 2-for-5 with an RBI double in the second.

Center fielder Brandon Haislet went 2-for-5 and opened the seventh with a double. Shortstop Eli Christensen gave the Rainbows some breathing room later in the inning with a two-out, two-run single to center.

Sacramento State third baseman David Flores went 2-for-5 and homered in the fifth. First baseman Gabe Jacobo was 3-for-5 and scored two runs.

Sacramento State righty Tommy Gonzalez (0-1) lasted just 1 1/3 innings in his second start of the season and took the loss for the Hornets. The freshman was a late replacement for Alvaro Orozco.

The UH pitchers combined for seven strikeouts while walking none. Conversely, Sacramento State pitchers walked five and hit two UH batters, with just one strikeout. The Hornets also committed three errors, with two helping to extend the Rainbows' six-run rally in the second-inning.

Note: Sacramento State junior Taylor Watanabe (Aiea '03) entered the game as a pinch runner in the ninth inning. Watanabe's sister, Ashley, played for the Rainbow Wahine volleyball team.