Hawai'i demolishes San Jose St. on road, 17-6

Advertiser Staff

Hawai'i pounded 17 hits in a 17-6 rout of San Jose State yesterday in Western Athletic Conference play at Blethen Field in San Jose, Calif.

It was a season-high in scoring for the Rainbows (20-23 overall, 7-10 WAC), who scored in double digits for the first time since drubbing Florida State, 15-0, on March 10, which was the previous high in runs before yesterday. It was the first time they had double digit hits since an 8-7 win at Nevada a week ago, when UH had 14.

"You can call it a law of averages game because you're due to have a game like that the way things have been going," UH coach Mike Trapasso said.

The Spartans fell to 20-17-1 and 9-8.

Colby Summer (2-4) matched a season-best seven innings, winning for the first time since a 3-2 decision against Alabama on Feb. 12, the only other time he went seven. He gave up five runs on eight hits and two walks, while striking out two.

Ricky Bauer and Guy McDowell each pitched an inning of relief for UH.

Schafer Magana drove in six runs and hit a grand slam, his first home run of the season. Joe Spiers was 4 for 6 with three runs. Adam Roberts drove in three runs, including the tying and go-ahead runs in a four-run fifth. Matt Inouye hit three doubles to tie school record held by many; he hit two of them in one inning, tying another school record set by Steve Morris in 1987.

Hawai'i had just one run through the first three innings, stranding four runners in scoring position during that span. Spartans' starter Brandon Dewing (5-3) took a 3-1 lead into the fifth, when UH started its assault.

Spiers led off with an infield single and took second on a passed ball before Erik Ammon walked. After Isaac Omura fouled out to third, Spiers stole third before Nate Thurber walked to load the bases. Magana was out on a chopper to third that scored Spiers and put runners at second and third with UH down 3-2. Roberts' two-run single gave UH the lead. While taking second on the throw home, Dewing's throw to second was wild, allowing Roberts to score to make it 5-3.

Hawai'i added five in the sixth on an RBI double by Spiers and Magana's slam against Daniel Crombie, who came in for Dewing to face Spiers. Dewing allowed six runs on seven hits and four walks with two strikeouts.

The Rainbows tagged Brandon Hennessey for six runs in the seventh, sending 11 batters to the plate. Hawai'i had five consecutive hits in the inning that featured Inouye's two doubles, one to start the inning and the second driving in two.

Hawai'i will to try sweep its first conference series today. Game time is 9 a.m., Hawai'i time.