Rainbows turn back Wolf Pack rally, 10-6

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i starting pitcher Chris George worked 6 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on seven hits. He was the winning pitcher as the Rainbows defeated Nevada, 10-6. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

His two out, three-run double in the bottom of the second inning set the tone for the Rainbows' second consecutive double-digit scoring game and third in their last four games.

"It was a big hit by Julian to break the game open like that," UH coach Mike Trapasso said.

The Rainbows (13-20, 2-5 WAC) extended their win streak to a season-best four games in handing the Wolf Pack (14-16, 2-5) their second consecutive loss. The Rainbows are now tied for fourth with the Wolf Pack in the six-team conference, a game ahead of conference newcomer Louisiana Tech, which is 2-7.

What the Rainbows run production did was mask the struggle of starter Chris George (3-2). He allowed six runs on seven hits and four walks in 6á innings. But he pitched out of a critical jam in the fourth when the Wolf Pack scored four runs and was possibly a batter away from being removed. By his battling out of the fourth, he lasted the minimum five innings to get credit for the win, but most importantly, saved the bullpen for the next two games.

"I was pleased that he was able to shut the door," Trapasso said. "We were praying that he could get out it because he was about a hitter away from getting out of there. But I just knew if he could get out of it, he would get his rhythm back for the next inning, which he did. Then he was gassed. I milked him for all I could, but I just didn't want to go to the pen too early."

Leading 9-5 in the seventh, George walked Mike Gillies to start the inning and two outs later, hit Carl Markel. He had used 132 pitches to that point and was pulled for Matt Le Ducq, who allowed an RBI single to JaRell McIntyre before striking out Josh Laidlaw to end the threat.

Le Ducq got into a bases loaded jam with two out in the eighth with UH holding a 10-6 lead, but Bryan Lee struck out Erick Streelman to end the inning, then allowed a hit in a scoreless ninth to notch his second save.

But the win began with Russell's clutch hit. Earlier in the season, bases-loaded or even two-out situations with runners in scoring position was a chore for the UH offense. But Russell noticed Nevada starter Darrell Rasnser started every batter off with a fastball. So he looked for one and drilled the first pitch to deep center to clear the bases.

"I'm the nine hitter, so I'm looking fastball away," Russell said. "It was a little out and up, but I went with the pitch."

The inning was prolonged by the first of four Nevada errors that accounted for six unearned runs against Rasner (4-4), who allowed nine runs, eight hits and four walks with five strikeouts in 4á innings.

The Rainbows opened their margin with two runs in the third, one unearned because of an error. The other run scored on a wild pitch.

After Nevada pulled to 5-4 in the top of the fourth, the Rainbows got a run in the fourth after Arthur Guillen doubled and scored on second baseman Carlos Madrid's fielding error. Madrid had replaced starter Ryan Strain, whose third-inning error allowed a run to score.

Hawai'i then batted around in a three-run fifth on Kevin Gilbride's RBI single, a bases loaded walk by Guillen and an error by third baseman Gillies.

Brian Bock then socked his third home run of the season to start the seventh.

The series continues at 6:35 tonight with Sean Yamashita (2-2, 3.96) pitching for UH against Mateo Miramontes (3-4, 5.23) for Nevada.