Omori's homer lifts UH to win at La. Tech

Advertiser Staff

The heart of the order pumped Hawai'i to a 6-4 win against Louisiana Tech in Western Athletic Conference baseball yesterday at J.C. Love Field in Ruston, La.

Gregg Omori and Scooter Martines — fourth and fifth in the UH lineup — combined for five RBIs in UH's first game outside of Hawai'i.

Martines' two-run double highlighted a three-run third inning and Omori's first home run of the season, a three-run shot in the seventh, rallied UH from a 4-3 deficit.

The Rainbows (14-22, 3-7 WAC) handed the conference newcomer Bulldogs (15-21, 3-11) their fifth consecutive loss.

UH starter Chris George (4-2) survived a fourth-inning grand slam by second baseman Brandon Haygood in his first complete game of the season. He allowed nine hits and three walks with seven strikeouts, using 119 pitches in the process.

"It was a good game to win, not because we're on the road," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "We were going against (Louisiana Tech's) top pitcher."

Lee Gwaltney (3-7) allowed all six runs in 6á innings, but three were unearned because of an error.

George kept the Rainbows in range. After the slam, he allowed three singles and a walk in the fifth, but came out unscathed. Right fielder Tim Montgomery threw out Kevin Marshall at home after a single by Nick Cauley. After an infield single loaded the bases with no outs, George struck out Dan Preaus to end the threat. George then retired 11 of the next 13.

Hawai'i took a 3-0 lead in the third on Lane Nogawa's infield RBI single and Martines' two-run double before Haygood's slam in the fourth gave Louisiana Tech a 4-3 lead.

But Omori's homer off Gwaltney in the seventh made the difference.

The series resumes today.