Bauer saves day for Rainbows in win over USF
Advertiser Staff
Ricky Bauer found another way to help the Hawai'i baseball team.
The junior right-hander inherited a two-ball count with two outs and two runners on in the bottom of the ninth before striking out Cy Donald for the first save of his career in a 6-5 win against San Francisco yesterday at Benedetti Diamond in San Francisco.
Matt Inouye's RBI double off Derek Tate capped UH's four-run seventh for the Rainbows (23-13).
The inning started with Andrew Sansaver reaching on an error and taking third on Josh Green's double to right. That set up Schafer Magana's two-run single off T.J. Franco (5-4). Magana took second on Isaac Omura's bunt single and reached third on the play on an error by Tate. Magana scored the tying run when Brian Finegan grounded to short for a force at second. Greg Kish reached first on another force play and scored on Inouye's double, his 17th of the season.
Two weeks ago, Bauer pitched four scoreless innings of relief in getting a win against Sacramento State, 5-4. The Rainbows' No. 1 starter had won five consecutive starts before losing at Rice on March 19. His next three starts were no-decisions. He is scheduled to start tomorrow's Western Athletic Conference game at Fresno State. Although Bauer threw only four pitches in yesterday's game, he had been warming for two innings.
"He should be fine (to start tomorrow)," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "But I'm thinking about making an adjustment, switching him with (Saturday's starter Stephen) Bryant. With all of our pitchers doing well, why take any chances? But Ricky should be fine."
UH's Keahi Rawlins (3-2) pitched two-plus scoreless innings of relief after Guy McDowell threw 2¡ shutout innings for starter Steven Wright, who was tagged for four runs in 2á innings.
Darrell Fisherbaugh came on in the eighth after Rawlins walked Blake Nelson to start the inning. Fisherbaugh gave up a single to Joe Jacobitz, but struck out the next three batters to preserve UH's one-run lead. In the ninth, Fisherbaugh walked Andrew Smith to start the inning, but got Craig Click on a double play.
But Fisherbaugh walked Armand Gaerlan and gave up a single to Chris Genung. After Fisherbaugh fell behind 2-0 to pinch-hitter Donald, Bauer entered and needed just four pitches to strike out the 2001 Mililani High School graduate and end the game.
Trapasso was pleased that the relief corps kept the game close before UH's offense awoke in the seventh.
"Keahi really looked good today," Trapasso said. "He was able to throw his breaking ball for strikes. Guy threw very well and settled the game for us."
