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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, February 16, 2002

Strong pitching, big plays lift 'Bows to victory over UCLA, 6-4

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i got a season-high 14 hits and blasted its first home run of the season, but it was defense that was impressive in its 6-4 collegiate baseball win against UCLA last night.

The Rainbows (3-5) ended a two-game losing skid while stopping the Bruins' five-game winning streak before 1,587 at Les Murakami Stadium. The Bruins dropped to 7-4.

"It was by far, this early (in the season), our best game," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "We played well in all phases. We broke out. We swung the bats well. We were aggressive. It was the best defensive game we've had so far. Not only mistake-free, we really made some plays."

Bryan Lee (2-0), UH's most consistent starter, scattered 10 hits with no walks over eight innings, while striking out four. He allowed a first-inning run and a solo home run to Adam Berry in the fourth. He used a season-high 111 pitches. Sean Yamashita allowed two runs on three hits in the ninth, but preserved the lead in a non-save situation.

"Hey, the main thing is he has to get three out before they get four runs and he did," Trapasso said.

Lee was supported by great defense, especially by the infield. Thirteen of the 24 outs were results of ground balls. Shortstop Cortland Wilson, who struggled defensively last season, fielded seven grounders cleanly, including one to start a double play. He also caught two infield flies.

"I feel more comfortable out there," Wilson said of his fielding. "Now, I always say, 'I'll make the play, I'll make the play.' That's all it is."

His bat also went to work last night. He batted 2 for 4, including a solo home run to start the sixth to break a 2-all game and pave the way for a three-run inning that chased UCLA starter Chris Cordeiro (1-1), who gave up five runs, three earned, in five-plus innings. The first home run of the season by a Rainbow was an opposite field shot for the right-handed hitting sophomore.

"It was the first time I've homered to the opposite side," he said.

Leading the Rainbows' assault was third baseman Brent Cook. He went 5 for 5 with an RBI. He had three ground singles, including two infield hits to short and a ground single to left, and two line drive singles to right.

"I got some lucky bounces," Cook said. "I tried to use the turf to my advantage."

Hawai'i center fielder Arthur Guillen, who batted leadoff the first six games, batted ninth and was 2 for 4, including a two-run double and got his team-leading fifth stolen base.

Lee welcomed the support.

"I was telling some of the hitters, 'This is the team I was pitching against all fall,' " Lee said. "I mean, they hit well all fall."

Lee threw about 40 percent of his pitches in the first two innings. A 25-pitch first inning,which included a balk, led to an RBI ground out to third by Josh Arhart.

"I was kind of wild at the beginning," Lee said. "But as the game went along, I started feeling comfortable out there."

He said he had command of his changeup, which he used a lot on first pitches to batters.

"I got away with some bad pitches," he said. "The home run was up in the zone."

While the Rainbows were fundamentally sound, the same could not be said for the Bruins. A second-inning fielding error by shortstop Preston Griffin resulted in two unearned runs off Cordeiro on Guillen's two-run double over left fielder Brandon Averill.

The Bruins appeared to be on their way to scoring in the seventh, but had a runner thrown out at the plate from right fielder Kevin Gilbride to catcher Brian Bock. With one out and Kevin Conlin on second, Griffin hit a bloop single down the right field line. Conlin hesitated and was easily thrown out at the plate.

Lee went on to retire the next four batters before giving way to Yamashita in the ninth.

The series continues at 12:05 p.m. today. Aaron Pribble (1-0) will pitch for UH against UCLA's Mike Kunes (2-0).

Notes: Designated hitter Danny Mocny batted leadoff last night, going 0 for 3 with two walks and a steal. Trapasso said second baseman Lane Nogawa (1 for 3, sacrifice) has been experiencing shin splints; if he can't play, Mocny would play second.