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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, April 12, 2009

Nevada takes two of three from UH

Advertiser Staff

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Kolten Wong

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Pitching that was sorely missing all series at Peccole Park in Reno, Nev., was found by Derek Achelpohl.

The Wolf Pack right-hander was the only starter to last more than six innings in Nevada's 10-5 win against No. 23 Hawai'i yesterday to give Nevada the abbreviated Western Athletic Conference series, 2-1.

The final game of the scheduled four-game series was canceled when Friday's suspended game was resumed yesterday with the Rainbows hanging on for a 13-11 win. The game was suspended Friday after the top of the second inning with UH leading, 6-4.

A regularly scheduled doubleheader was to be played yesterday, but the WAC does not allow any parts of three games to played on the same day. After the suspended game was completed, only the first game of the original doubleheader was played. The fourth game could not be made up because the 'Bows left for Sacramento by bus last night to catch a flight home this morning. In 2006, UH had a third game of a three-game series at Nevada canceled because of inclement weather and the game was never made up.

With the series win, the Wolf Pack (16-17 overall, 5-2 WAC) pulled into sole possession of first place, while the Rainbows (21-12, 4-3) fell to the middle of the WAC standings.

Hawai'i's pitchers could not get out of Nevada fast enough, after allowing 30 earned runs (out of 35 total) in 28 1/3 innings.

"This whole weekend's on me, one hundred percent," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "I take the blame for it. The worst job of called pitches, making moves ... Obviously, I didn't have our guys ready to pitch. We just have to make better pitches."

There were four lead changes in UH's win of the suspended game that started Friday. Freshman center fielder Kolten Wong batted 4 for 5 with a double and team-leading sixth home run with five RBIs to lead UH's 19-hit assault. He was 10 for 15 with nine RBIs and two homers in the series.

Hawai'i starter Jared Alexander had gone just one inning, allowing four runs, when the game was suspended. When play resumed yesterday, Matt Sisto (4-2) replaced Alexander and went 6 1/3 innings, allowing six runs (five earned), 11 hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Josh Slaats pitched the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing a run, for his fourth save.

A four-run seventh off Jayson McClaren (1-1) broke an 8-all game. Nevada pulled to 12-11 with a three-run eighth, but Wong's home run to center provided insurance.

Greg Garcia, who left Thursday's series opener with a thumb injury, opened the game with a home run, going 3 for 6, falling a double shy of hitting for the cycle.

"He's still not a hundred percent, but he gutted it out," Trapasso said of Garcia.

In the next game, Achelpohl (3-3) was able to contain the Rainbows to three runs (two earned), eight hits and two walks, while striking out six, in eight innings. It was far and away the best outing of any starter in the series.

Nate Klein made his first start since March 13 against Loyola Marymount. He had been out with a tender forearm. Klein (0-2) went three innings, allowing four runs (three earned), five hits and a walk with two strikeouts.

"He ran into some bad luck," Trapasso said. "(Batted) balls just found holes. It was good to see him back. We're going to need him for sure."

Six of his nine outs were on grounders and three of the five hits he allowed also were grounders.

Trapasso brought back Alexander, who had thrown just 23 pitches when he started the suspended game Friday.

"He was fresh," Trapasso said. "The first couple innings, he was actually making good pitches. Again, a couple pitches here and there just found holes, then he started throwing up in the zone."

Alexander gave up five runs and six hits in two-plus innings.

The Rainbows entered the series with a team batting average of .247. They departed hitting .262 after hitting .375 over the three games. In their only win, they set season highs in runs (13) and hits (19).

Hawai'i has 29 home runs in 33 games, just two shy of last year's total in 60 games.

The Rainbows resume WAC play this weekend in a four-game series against Sacramento State starting Friday. The Hornets (20-13 overall, 1-3 WAC) took 3 of 4 from future UH opponent Utah Valley in a non-conference series over the weekend.

While Garcia was able to play with the thumb injury, the severity of relief pitcher Sam Spangler's back cannot be determined until the team returns. He hurt it in Thursday's game.

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