No. 2 Rice beats Hawai‘i, 9-4

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Rice's Austin Davis took out Hawai'i second baseman Schafer Magana, who made the throw to first base to complete a double play in the third inning of last night's game. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

The Rainbows (1-3 WAC, 13-6 overall) pulled to within one run in the fourth and seventh innings against the Owls (4-0, 17-1), only to see the No. 2-ranked team by Baseball America pad its lead with a run in the eighth and three in the ninth before 1,964 at Les Murakami Stadium.

Hawai'i trailed 6-4 entering the top of the ninth, when the Owls scored three off relief pitcher Rich Olsen. The freshman hit the lead-off batter Chris Kolkhorst on a 1-2 pitch, and that was followed by back-to-back singles by Vincent Sinisi and Austin Davis for one run. After a sacrifice, an error and ground out plated the next two runs.

"We kept opening the door," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "You give a team like that that many lead-off guys on, it's going to end up costing you. ... That last inning was really disappointing, because you hit the leadoff guy when you have to put up a zero, because you try to get the momentum on your side and see what you can do against (Rice closer David) Aardsma. The last inning kind of took the wind out of our sails."

Jeff Niemann (5-0) pitched eight-plus effective innings, allowing four runs (one unearned) on seven hits and two walks. He left after allowing a lead-off single to Brent Cook in the bottom of the ninth, uncorking a wild pitch and walking Rocky Russo. Niemann was pulled for closer Aardsma, who struck out Kevin Gilbride before getting Brian Bock to ground into a game-ending double play.

Chris George (4-2) gave up six runs on 12 hits and two walks in seven-plus innings. He gave way to Olsen after Craig Stansberry led off with a double, his third hit in five plate appearances.

"The offense helped out tonight," Niemann said. "I didn't have my best stuff, gave up a few home runs. I was really pleased how they helped me get a win."

Three of UH's four runs came off of home runs by freshmen. Third baseman Russo ripped a two-run shot to right-center in the fourth that pulled UH to 3-2. It came two outs after Brian Finegan led off with a double. Designated hitter Isaac Omura led off the sixth with his first home run of the season to right to pull UH to 5-3. Both hit first-pitch fastballs.

"That was our plan today, look for the first-pitch fastball," said Russo, whose other home run was an inside-the-park hit.

Omura popped to second in his first at-bat against Niemann before pulling him out of the park his second time up.

"I guess I was getting set a little later," Omura said of his pop out. "I think I made the right adjustment on that second at-bat."

Omura, whose position is second base, was the DH for Jaziel Mendoza, who was out with a stress fracture in his foot. Schafer Magana started at second. Trapasso said he set it up that way in case he needed to pinch-run Omura. If he started Omura at second and had to pinch-run for him, he would have to replace him with Magana anyway

Enrique Cruz also had three hits for Rice, which had 15. Jeff Jorgensen, Kolkhorst and Davis had two hits each.

Russo was the only Rainbow with more than one hit, batting 2-for-3.

The Rainbows lost right fielder and co-captain Josh Green in the fourth inning. After striking out to end the inning, home plate umpire Mike Gilmore ejected him. Trapasso said the ejection was for what Green said. Green is eligible to return today, but Trapasso said he will speak with Green before determining whether to start him. Trapasso said if Green does not play, it would be for disciplinary reasons and not performance. Green struck out twice, and was 4-for-23 entering last night's game.

The series continues at 6:35 tonight. Left-hander Justin Caye-tano (2-1) of UH will face Rice right-hander Philip Humber (4-0).