’Bows win rubber game

UH's Harrington shuts door on Louisiana Tech

On the day before his birthday, Ian Harrington gave his Hawaii baseball teammates and fans a gift.

Hawaii    LaTech 7 2 Next Up At Arizona St. on Wednesday

Harrington turns 22 today. Yesterday, he pitched a complete-game 7-2 victory over Louisiana Tech as 1,773 watched at Les Murakami Stadium.

The five-hitter provided a huge psychological boost for the Rainbows -- especially the pitching staff -- as they embark on a nine-game road trip starting with a single game at Arizona State on Wednesday.

"It's obvious after (a 10-9 loss Saturday) we had to have an outing like that," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "To win a series, to get things going, we had to have Ian go out there and he pitched for the whole pitching staff today. He put the whole staff on his shoulders and picked everybody up."

The Rainbows (27-16, 8-7 Western Athletic Conference) moved to within two games of LaTech (30-16, 10-5) in the league standings. Fresno State is first at 11-4.

Harrington's 110-pitch effort was a big deal because of the availability of UH's bullpen. The arms of relief aces Matt Daly and Tyler Davis were expended Friday and Saturday.

Harrington (6-5) began the season as the Rainbows' No. 1 starter. After some rough outings, he was moved to the back end of the rotation -- where he thrived last season, going 4-1 on Sundays. After yesterday's win and his no-decision at Fresno State, Harrington has a 2.29 ERA in his two Sunday starts this year.

"In all honesty I don't think it has any bearing on how I throw. It may have meant a little more because I knew we had to come back to win the series," Harrington said. "Today I wasn't going to let anything stop me from throwing strikes and going after hitters and being more aggressive than usual."

All the LaTech hits were singles, and Harrington walked two and hit a batter. He struck out seven. Harrington retired the last six Bulldogs to end the game.

"I don't think the park really made the difference," said Louisiana Tech clean-up batter Courtney Jones, who went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts. "We're at the end of a long trip and they're a good club. He did a good job of mixing his pitches and keeping us off-balance."

Harrington and catcher Landon Hernandez said the lefty's changeup was his most effective pitch.

"His curveball wasn't the best today, but he threw it for strikes," Hernandez said. "He throws a straight change, and you can't tell if it's a fastball or changeup."

The Rainbows made the most of their nine hits, with Justin Frash and Vinnie Catricala contributing two apiece. Hawaii scored 23 runs in the three games against the Bulldogs, and is averaging close to seven in its last 11.

The Rainbows scored six runs in 6 1/3 innings off Dylan Moseley, who entered the game with the best ERA in the WAC (2.59).

"The last three weeks we have been very good offensively. We were (Saturday), and that was what the shame was of losing. Everybody contributed (yesterday), and that's about the character they've built the last couple of weeks," said Trapasso, who called the Saturday defeat the most disappointing in his 19 years of coaching.

Harrington recently suffered a loss that has helped him put baseball in perspective. Longtime family friend Travis Britt died of cancer this month at age 19.

"I think of him all the time. I wake up every morning and appreciate what I have. I realize what I've been given," Harrington said.

The Rainbows leave for Arizona tomorrow and play series at New Mexico State, Hawaii-Hilo and Nevada. They return to close the regular season with three games May 19-21 against Fresno State.