In a scorebook it's the same as a routine out, except for the star we put next to it. But when the timing is right, its impact is immeasurable.

A great catch is like a dunk: a potential physical and psychological turning point.

Kolten Wong's three-run homer in the eighth is what most will remember first from Hawaii's 6-5 win against Gonzaga yesterday at soggy Les Murakami Stadium.

But if not for Collin Bennett's spectacular leaping grab of a shot to right-center three innings earlier, Wong's game-tying blast might have been for naught (same for the rest of the five-run rally, including Bennett's single).

Gonzaga sent eight men to the plate in the fifth. Two of them scored, giving the visitors a 4-1 lead. If Bennett doesn't go shopping at the gap, the Bulldogs might still be batting.

“;Major League play,”; TV analyst Pal Eldredge said.

Indeed. I can't remember a better one in a college baseball game.

The Rainbows have trotted out some pretty decent center fielders over the years. Ricki Bass, Dan Nyssen, Derron Moreland, Brandon Haislet and Wong (now at second base) come to mind right away. They and others all made great grabs, some in key situations.

But I can't remember a better one for combined spectacle and significance.

You've seen this catch before on “;SportsCenter,”; but rarely if ever by a college guy. Bennett, shaded to left, speeds through wet turf to the opposite power alley. He leaps, his body nearly parallel to the ground. The high line drive off the powerful and torrid bat of Mark Castellitto tails away. But Bennett's left arm fully extends and by virtue of great timing, the ball lands in the glove—and stays in it when he hits the ground.

It's not a diving catch. It's a flying catch.

SURE, THIS was just a midseason game against a so-so nonconference opponent. But it wasn't only a great catch, it was a big one—as in key to the outcome of the game (although it didn't necessarily seem like it would be at the time).

If that ball goes to the wall, Castellitto gets a double and two runs score instead of just one from third. And more Zags likely zig around the bases before the third out. Instead of 4-1, the 'Bows stare at 6-1, probably worse.

Dropping two in a row—and hence, a series—to a team with a losing record is not the way to head into conference play.

As they did several times earlier in the season, the Rainbows came back late to win.

“;This group of kids has a toughness and resilience,”; coach Mike Trapasso said.

If you know Bennett's background, you know he's a big part of that.

THERE WAS another time he chased a ball in the gap that didn't end so happily. A couple of years ago in high school in Washington, a collision with another outfielder put him in a hospital with internal organ injuries and out of contention for a scholarship at Washington State. Says a lot about Bennett that after that he's still willing to go hard into no-man's land, his eyes on only the ball.

Trapasso found Bennett at junior college, and got him to come to UH. In his first Division I season, Bennett leads the Rainbows in hitting at .337 and with 21 RBIs.

Looks like Trapasso made a great catch, too.

Reach Star-Bulletin sports columnist Dave Reardon at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), his “;Quick Reads”; blog at starbulletin.com, and twitter.com/davereardon.