Posted on: Saturday, April 28, 2001
Rainbows thump Beavers, 7-3
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Just because the University of Hawai'i baseball team is mathematically out of Western Athletic Conference title contention, it does not mean it cannot have fun.
Jeff Coleman unveiled a little side-arm action last night, allowing one hit in eight innings to lead the Rainbows over Oregon State, 7-3, in a non-conference game before 1,030 at Rainbow Stadium.
Coleman (6-5) allowed a fourth-inning RBI single to Brian Barden, while walking four and striking out eight. Aaron Pribble pitched the ninth, allowing two runs and two hits, including a solo home run to Barden.
Coleman's curve complemented his fastball which he used for the bulk of his strikeouts. But what stood out last night was his occasional side-arm deliveries, which he never tried in previous outings.
"It was just for fun," Coleman said. "My buddy does it back home and that's how he pitches all the time. I just decided, 'Let's just have a little fun.' "
The Rainbows, coming off a 3-3 road trip that included taking two of three from WAC leader Rice, seemed more relaxed.
"The team has been feeling more upbeat, feeling good about themselves lately," UH first baseman Danny Kimura said. "I think we just tried to keep that tempo."
Catcher Brian Bock said Coleman started throwing side-arm during pre-game warmups.
"I said, 'If you're comfortable with it, why don't you try it.' The right situation came up early in the game, we decided to use it."
Coleman, who committed both UH errors, praised his defense. Center fielder Arthur Guillen made a nice catch on a fly ball that started to sink quickly off Josh Carter's bat in the seventh. Shortstop Matthew Purtell was able to stay with a grounder that Coleman deflected to throw out Chris Biles in the second inning.
"I just had some good defensive plays behind me," Coleman said.
And he had offensive support from the Iolani connection of Kimura and Gregg Omori. Kimura batted 2-for-4 with three RBIs, while Omori was 3-for-4, including a two-run double.
Kimura got the Rainbows rolling with a two-run single in the first inning off OSU starter Stephen Copeland (3-2). Guillen led off with a walk and Purtell singled. Both advanced on a wild pitch, but Omori and Patrick Scalabrini struck out.
"On his way back, Pat told me to sit back on the curve ball," Kimura said. "I guess I had that in mind, but I just wanted to get those two runs in. I didn't wait long. I got the curve ball, hit it off the cap. Whatever works."
The keystone combination of Purtell and second baseman Lane Nogawa had two and three hits, respectively.
Copeland pitched eight innings, allowing seven runs, 13 hits and two walks, while striking out six.
The Rainbows blew the game open when they batted around in a four-run fifth inning. Purtell had an RBI double, Omori a two-run double and Kimura an RBI single.
They added a run in the eighth with only one hit. Nate Jackson led off with a single, stole second, was balked to third and, one out later, scored on a wild pitch.
The series continues at 6:35 tonight. Sean Yamashita will pitch for the Rainbows.
