'Bows batter Vulcans, 18-2

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawai'i-Manoa displayed its knowledge of astronomy yesterday, using the big bang to smother Hawai'i-Hilo, 18-2, to sweep the two-game series.

UH-Hilo outfielders Casey Oketani, left, and Kaliko Oligo slam into each other while chasing a fly ball hit by UH's Rocky Russo that ended up as an inside-the-park homer. Oketani and Oligo did not get up for several minutes, but were said to be OK after the game. Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser

The Rainbows (10-3) embark on their first road trip of the season this week. They play at San Francisco on Wednesday before opening the Western Athletic Conference season at Fresno State on Friday.

The Vulcans (5-27) return home to host Matsusaka of Japan in a five-game exhibition series starting Thursday.

The Rainbows had season-highs in runs, hits (19) and home runs. Every starter scored at least one run and had at least one hit to support Justin Cayetano (2-1), who pitched five effective innings, allowing a run on seven hits. Keahi Rawlins, Mike Peck, Rich Olsen and Ricky Bauer each pitched an inning to finish the game.

"Everybody was hitting the ball pretty well," said Montgomery, who has four home runs. "Mine just happen to go a little farther. I think the trade winds helped me out a little bit. It was just a good day for everybody."

Montgomery hit a two-run shot to right-center that was later followed by freshman Drew Jackson's two-run blast to dead center, over the original wall, about 400 feet from the plate.

"It felt good," Jackson said. "I saw the ball pretty well today."

Montgomery also hit a grand slam to center in a five-run fifth inning.

Rocky Russo got his first homer of the season, a three-run, inside-the-park hit to right-center. Russo's drive resulted in a collision between center fielder Kaliko Oligo and right fielder Casey Oketani. Oketani's knee hit Oligo's ribs as they converged on the fly ball, UHH coach Joey Estrella said. Oketani landed on his head and rolled over as the runners easily rounded the bases.

Oligo and Oketani stayed down for several minutes with Oketani getting up first and returning to his position to finish the inning. A few minutes later, Oligo was able to walk off the field under his own power and was replaced. Estrella said both players were OK, but would be examined again in Hilo.

UH center fielder Tim Montgomery had six RBIs. Advertiser library photo

Freshman Isaac Omura, making his first start at second base in five games, led the Rainbows with three hits in five at-bats.

UH-Manoa coach Mike Trapasso started substituting players from the sixth with a 15-1 lead. Freshman Matt Inouye made the most of his opportunities by going 2-for-2 with an RBI.

All of the Rainbow runs came in chunks. Besides the five-run fifth, Manoa had a four-run second, a six-run fourth that saw 10 players step to the plate, and a three-run eighth.

Estrella complimented UH hitting coach Brian Green for the Rainbows' improved hitting.

"The Rainbows can hit," Estrella said. "Brian's doing a nice job."

Trapasso had mixed feelings about the lopsided victory.

"I prefer to play as many games tight," Trapasso said. "This was the first game we played all year that wasn't a tight game. But frankly, you don't complain about those because there's nothing wrong with getting 19 hits and 18 runs."

Hilo DH Nalei Sooto accounted for nearly half of his team's offense. He was 4-for-4, including a solo home run in the eighth off Olsen, who retired the next three batters on ground outs.

For the second game in a row, the Vulcans scored first. Alan Sarmiento grounded a two-out double to right and scored on Sean Tamura's pop single to center.

Trapasso was undecided as of yesterday on which pitcher would start Wednesday at San Francisco. He also was undecided for Sunday's game against Fresno State. Chris George (4-0) and Cayetano (2-1) will start Friday and Saturday, respectively, against the Bulldogs at Beiden Field.

"It's our second season," Trapasso said. "We've gotten off to a good start. But now we open up conference play and we open up on the road. We'll just have to see what we've got. We still have to get better in certain areas and we've got to get more consistent and we've got to be mentally tough, particularly on the road."

Hits and pieces: With yesterday's crowd of 878, the Rainbows drew 20,513 during the 13-game homestand (1,578 per game) ... Tim Montgomery's four home runs doubles his career output. Both of his homers yesterday landed near the base of the original fence.

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