Hawaii trips NMSU to start WAC tourney

STORY SUMMARY » | READ THE FULL STORY

RUSTON, LA. » A gritty performance from Nick Rhodes and home runs by Vinnie Catricala and Derek DuPree got the Rainbows off to a good start in the Western Athletic Conference tournament.

Hawaii (28-29) vs. Nevada (32-24) 2 p.m. today at Ruston, La. Radio: KKEA, 1420-AM

Catricala and DuPree hit back-to-back homers during a six-run seventh inning as Hawaii defeated New Mexico State 11-7 yesterday at J.C. Love Field.

Rhodes allowed one run over seven innings, which included a long wait between innings as the game was delayed 1 hour, 42 minutes due to poor weather.

Joseph Scaperotta hit his league-leading 23rd home run and Leo Aguirre hit a pinch-hit grand slam for the Aggies, who lost in their first appearance in the WAC tournament.

---

FULL STORY »

RUSTON, LA. » By the time New Mexico State's offense got rolling, Hawaii had built just enough of a lead to hang on.

WAC Baseball Tournament At Ruston, La.; all times Hawaii time Yesterday » Fresno State 3, Sacramento State 2 » Hawaii 11, New Mexico State 7 » Nevada 11, San Jose State 0, 7 innings Today » Sacramento State vs. New Mexico State, 6 a.m. » Fresno State vs. San Jose State, 10 a.m. » Hawaii vs. Nevada, 2 p.m. Tomorrow » Hawaii vs. TBD, Time TBD

Vinnie Catricala and Derek DuPree hit back-to-back home runs and Jeff Van Doornum had three RBIs as Hawaii defeated New Mexico State 11-7 yesterday in the Western Athletic Conference tournament opener for both teams at J.C. Love Field.

The Rainbows (28-29) advance to play Nevada today at 2 p.m. in the double-elimination tournament.

"That's the whole thing. It's all about winning," Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said. "We were outstanding offensively today. We're going to have to have that kind of effort in every game in this tournament."

In Hawaii's last two losses against NMSU, the Aggies scored eight runs in a single inning to put the 'Bows away. But before New Mexico State was able to post its customary big inning yesterday, the Rainbows had a 10-1 lead after Catricala and DuPree capped a six-run seventh inning with consecutive home runs.

The Rainbows needed it as NMSU got help from the 'Bows in scoring six runs in the eighth when Hawaii walked three batters and committed an error.

Sam Spangler opened the inning with two walks and was immediately replaced by Cam Wheeler, who allowed an RBI double to Marcus Quade and a pinch-hit grand slam by Leo Aguirre to pull New Mexico State within four. Matt Daly was the third Rainbows pitcher used in the inning and allowed a run-scoring single to Richard Stout before getting Joseph Scaperotta to fly out to the warning track in right with two runners on.

"They didn't make it hard on us; we made it hard on ourselves," Trapasso said. "Spangler and Wheeler come in and can't throw strikes. We can't win this thing without these guys contributing. They're going to be out there again."

Nick Rhodes put forth a gutsy effort to pick up his fifth win of the season. His only blemish over seven innings was a solo home run given up to Scaperotta, and he finished with six strikeouts and just two walks.

"He was outstanding," Trapasso said. "In retrospect, I should have left him out there with a nine-run lead, but he was at 98 pitches and the reality is, we might need him to pitch on Sunday if we get there."

After heavy winds and lightning caused the game to be delayed in the bottom of the fifth, the Aggies replaced starter Heath Goin with a reliever, but Trapasso stuck with Rhodes despite the long wait.

Rhodes allowed a leadoff double in the sixth, but escaped without giving up a run. Quade singled and Colin Crouthamel doubled off Rhodes with no outs in the seventh, but Quade was thrown out at the plate on a relay throw by Jon Hee and Rhodes again escaped a jam without allowing the Aggies to score.

"(Rhodes) is a finesse lefty who relies on command and movement and when you get tired sometimes it makes you more efficient," Trapasso said of his decision to stick with Rhodes after the delay.

Goin, who lasted seven innings and got the win in both starts against Hawaii this year, took the loss after giving up seven hits and four runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Brandon Haislet went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs and Landon Hernandez had three singles for the 'Bows, who pounded out 15 hits. The first five batters in the UH lineup all had two hits and combined for seven runs and seven RBIs.

Daly pitched a scoreless ninth, but threw enough pitches that he "probably" won't start today, according to Trapasso.

"It was between (Joshua) Schneider and Daly, but Daly threw too much," Trapasso said. "It is what it is. You've got to win today and worry about tomorrow. I'll probably start Schneider, but we'll see how it goes."