Rainbows top HPU, 3-1
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
A trio of Rainbows combined on a four-hitter to lift Hawai'i over Hawai'i Pacific, 3-1, last night in nonconference college baseball.
Ricky Bauer pitched four scoreless innings, Rich Olsen allowed an unearned run in three and Justin Costi worked two shutout innings for the Rainbows (17-20) before 791 at Les Murakami Stadium.
It also was the farewell game, at least in an HPU uniform at Murakami Stadium, for departing HPU coach Allan Sato, who will coach his last game Sunday against UH-Hilo. He announced his resignation Wednesday. This is his 10th season at the helm of the Sea Warriors.
"When I first walked in (to the stadium last night), all the memories came back when I was coaching with Coach Les (Murakami)," Sato said. "When we were on offense, I was hanging on to the pole that (Murakami) used to always hang on to. It's a real emotional time for me right now. This is probably the last time I'll be coaching a college game at Les Murakami Stadium."
Hawai'i coach Mike Trapasso said he was surprised at Sato's resignation.
"He's done a great job," Trapasso said. "I've enjoyed playing them. He's been very gracious, always coming over and playing any time, always midweek. He's one of the reasons why we've been able to schedule midweek games when I first came here. I just wish him luck."
Isaac Omura crushed his team-leading sixth home run of the season in the fifth, batting 3 for 4 to lift his batting average to .420.
"I was just looking to protect (the plate) with two strikes," Omura said. "Just put something in play. I caught it good."
But it was the pitching that carried UH last night. Bauer was to throw about two innings or 30 pitches, but went four, using 44.
"Ricky had a great look," Trapasso said. "Ricky has the kind of arm that can bounce back. We wanted to hold him in the area of 30, 35 pitches. When he was at 30 (32 after three innings), we said let's give him a 10-pitch inning and take 'em out at 40. He'll be ready for Saturday."
Bauer (3-2) allowed two hits and struck out four. Only one base runner reached third against him. Despite not going the required five innings, he was credited with the victory because it was predetermined that the game would be staffed.
Olsen allowed two hits with one strikeout. Alika Kuraoka doubled with one out in the seventh, took third when Bryan Daguio reached first after hitting a grounder to short, but first baseman Adam Roberts could not hold the throw. Spencer Omalza's sacrifice fly to right scored Kuraoka.
Costi allowed a walk with three strikeouts. Although he is scheduled to start Sunday, he pitched because yesterday was his scheduled "bullpen" session had there not been a game, Trapasso said. Also, Costi pitched only 3¡ innings on Sunday at Nevada.
Josh Guerra (3-2) kept the game close, allowing three runs on five hits and five walks with five strikeouts in 6á innings for the Sea Warriors (20-16).
The Rainbows scored first in the third inning. Joe Spiers led off with a double to left-center and took third when center fielder Greg Benoit bobbled the ball. Spiers then scored on a wild pitch on a missed squeeze attempt by Derek Dupree.
Hawai'i increased its lead to 2-0 on Omura's home run in the fifth.
Hawai'i chased Guerra in the seventh. Spiers led off with a walk, took second on Dupree's sacrifice and advanced to third on Omura's single to center. Nate Thurber reached on a fielder's choice grounder to third that got Spiers out in a rundown between third and the plate. Matt Inouye walked to load the bases and end Guerra's day. But Pierce Manglallan didn't fare any better, walking Schafer Magana on four pitches to force across a run. Manglallan was lifted for Cruz Hatanaka, who struck out Rocky Russo to leave the bases loaded.
The Rainbows resume Western Athletic Conference play tomorrow with a three-game series against Rice. The Sea Warriors conclude their season with doubleheaders Saturday and Sunday against UH-Hilo at Aloha Stadium.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.
