’Bows ride LaTech errors to win

Justin Frash showed Louisiana Tech there is more than one way for a hitter to get around the bases on one swing of the bat.

Hawaii    La. Tech 7 4 Next Up vs. Louisiana Tech, today

Frash's "Little League home run" -- actually a single off the pitcher's glove with two throwing errors -- gave Hawaii three runs in a four-run eighth inning and a 7-4 victory over the visiting Bulldogs.

LaTech -- which entered with 55 homers in 43 games -- scored on a bad-hop single, a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly. And until Frash's two-out hit and the LaTech defensive meltdown, it looked like it would be enough for a victory over host Hawaii before 2,625, the largest crowd of the season at Les Murakami Stadium. That mark might be broken tonight in the second game of the series, as fewer than 100 tickets were available as of late yesterday.

The Rainbows (26-15) improved to 7-6 in the Western Athletic Conference with their second win in six games. Louisiana Tech (29-15) saw its WAC-leading record fall to 9-4 with its first loss after 10 wins. Fresno State pulled into a tie for first with a win yesterday. UH is fourth in the seven-team league.

"Our guys battled, and that's the way we have to play (today) and Sunday," said UH coach Mike Trapasso, after his team out-hit LaTech 13-8. "Because they'll battle back."

UH's eighth-inning rally started when Eli Christensen stroked a single into right-center with one out, and Jon Hee chopped a high bouncer behind the mound that went for a single. Then pinch hitter Kevin Macdonald singled to left. Christensen was waived around third, but gunned out at home by Brian Rike, leaving Hee at third and pinch runner Jorge Franco at first with two out. Eventual loser Brandon Hudson (4-2), who had pitched three innings of shutout relief, was pulled for Aaron Lorio.

Frash hit a grounder to Lorio's right that the pitcher could not handle. Third baseman Courtney Jones picked up the ball and overthrew first. Right fielder Jericho Jones retrieved the ball, and overthrew home plate, allowing Frash to score, following Hee and Franco.

"I kinda got jammed. As soon as I saw it kick off the pitcher's glove, I knew I was safe," said Frash, who went 3-for-4. "It was a matter of what the third baseman would do. It worked out for us."

Not so much for LaTech.

"It was like a pinball machine," Bulldogs coach Wade Simoneaux said. "One play caused a new ballgame."

Brandon Haislet, who went 3-for-5 with a homer, then singled and advanced on a wild pitch. Kris Sanchez followed with a double, scoring Haislet and giving UH a 7-4 lead. Sanchez went 3-for-3 with two doubles and raised his batting average to .409.

Matt Daly (3-1) was charged with no runs in the last three innings for the win.

Frash said a pep talk from UH football coach June Jones at practice yesterday helped the Rainbows' mind-set.

"He reminded us it's a game of inches and anything can happen," Frash said. "Also to put the guy next to you in front of yourself. Fight for him."