Despite a lineup shakeup that produced significantly more hits than in its series opener the day before, Hawai'i still struggled to score runs yesterday.

Sacramento State swept a doubleheader, 6-4 and 5-2, to clinch the Western Athletic Conference four-game series at "hitter-friendly" Hornet Field in Sacramento, Calif.

The Hornets (9-14 overall, 4-3 WAC) try for the series sweep at 10 a.m. HST today.

The Rainbows (9-18, 2-5) had 13 hits in the opener and 10 in the second game — they had four in Friday's 4-2 loss — but could muster only one extra-base hit, a lead-off triple in the second game by Jon Hee. Despite having 28 base runners, UH failed to have a multiple-run inning in the doubleheader.

"It's a shame at this point because we're in a hitters' park facing bad pitching and we're still not able to put up any crooked numbers (more than one run in an inning)," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "While we didn't pitch great, we pitched good enough to win. We've got guys who can hit. They just have to come out of this funk. The only way to do it is to be more aggressive and quit thinking so much."

Seldom-used Ryan Morford, who entered yesterday with just five plate appearances, started at second base in both games, going 3 for 8 with two RBIs. Hee, the regular second baseman, moved to shortstop and went 5 for 10.

Shane Hoey started at third base, batting 2 for 8. Left fielder Derek DuPree made his first start in eight games, batting 4 for 8.

Trapasso said he is likely to stay with Hee at short and Morford at second and DuPree in left for today's series finale.

"Morford and DuPree bring some energy," he said. "They're aggressive. They put the bat on the ball."

Hoey started for Catricala, whose batting average fell to under .250 before yesterday. But he is still the team-leader with 17 RBIs. Catricala made a pinch-hitting appearance, drawing a walk in the opener and staying in the game for another plate appearance to go 0 for 1.

Trapasso had not settled on today's starting pitcher. His choices are Josh Schneider, Matt Daly and Harrison Kuroda.

"They're the only ones left (who are) fresh," Trapasso said. "It will be one of those three. I've said in the past I don't want to start Daly, but I've got to consider him (for today's game)."

HORNETS 6, RAINBOWS 4

Hawai'i got off to an inauspicious start in the opener. Nick Rhodes, the reigning WAC Pitcher of the Week, was tagged for a grand slam by Tim Wheeler in the first inning.

Rhodes (1-3) lasted just 2 1/3 innings, allowing the four runs, four hits, two walks and a hit batsman.

Trevor York (1-4) gave up three runs and 10 hits with three strikeouts in seven-plus innings for the Hornets.

The Rainbows squandered a golden opportunity in the eighth when they trailed 5-2. York gave up a single to Hee, who took second on third baseman David Flores' throwing error on the play. Hee advanced to third on Morford's single that chased York for left-hander Tommy Elrod, who walked pinch hitter Catricala.

But Brandon Haislet popped out to second and Jeff Van Doornum grounded to first for a force at second that allowed one run to score. Kevin Macdonald flied out to end the inning.

If any good came out of that game, it was the relief appearance by freshman Alex Capaul, who went five innings, allowing two runs and eight hits with no walks and three strikeouts.

"He's getting himself back into the running for one of those starters' jobs because he's really throwing well," Trapasso said. "He threw three pitches for strikes today."

The Hornets started their two players from Hawai'i. Second baseman Taylor Watanabe ('Aiea '03) went 3 for 5 with an RBI and catcher Brett Tanigawa (Moanalua '03) went 1 for 4.

HORNETS 5, RAINBOWS 2

It looked as if UH's fortunes would turn when Hee led off the game with a triple and scored on Morford's single. But that was UH's only run of the inning.

Starter Brian Smith (1-0) pitched four innings, allowing a run, six hits and three walks. Since the Hornets planned to staff the game, the starter did not have to pitch the required minimum five innings to get credit for the win.

Josh Slaats (0-3) gave up two runs, six hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings for UH.

The Hornets cushioned their 2-1 lead with a three-run homer by Gabe Jacobo off Jayson Kramer in the fifth.

Jeff Hannah went 3 for 4 with two RBIs, and Wheeler tripled and doubled for the Hornets.