Riverside puts end to ‘Bows’ win streak

The Hawaii baseball team has one game left to figure out an answer for UC Riverside’s Francisco Tellez.

The Highlanders’ designated hitter finished 3-for-4 with two triples and three RBIs in the Highlanders’ 7-2 victory over the Rainbows on Friday at the Riverside Sports Complex in Riverside, Calif.

UC Riverside has yet to use its bullpen in the series, as Ben Doucette (3-7) gave up nine hits in a complete-game victory that ended UH’s four-game winning streak.

Tellez, who homered and scored twice in Thursday’s loss, hit back-to-back RBI triples in consecutive innings as Riverside (13-32, 9-17) knocked around Hawaii starter Corey MacDonald.

MacDonald (7-6) had his shortest outing of the season, allowing six runs on 11 hits in 51⁄3 innings for the Rainbows (16-34, 11-15).

He fell two outs shy of becoming the first Hawaii pitcher in seven years to throw 100 innings in a season.

"Corey just didn’t have it tonight," Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said. "It was just one of those nights that just happened to be on his last night."

Doucette entered the game with a 5.37 ERA in 13 starts, and teams were hitting .304 against him.

UH put at least one runner on base in eight of the nine innings it came to bat but was 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

"The Doucette kid was outstanding and a couple of guys from Riverside said it was the best he’s thrown all year and it might have been the game of his career," Trapasso said. "I was real impressed. After the first two innings I thought this guy was way better than his numbers showed."

UH scored both of its runs with two outs in the sixth.

Conner George, who had his first multi-hit game since April 27 against Cal State Fullerton, singled with two outs and scored on an RBI triple by Kalei Hanawahine.

Senior Max Duval followed with a double off the left-field wall that pulled Hawaii within three at 5-2.

Devyn Bolasky got one run back with an RBI single in the bottom of the inning that ended MacDonald’s day.

Junior Scott Kuzminsky finished out the final 22⁄3 innings, giving up one run on three hits with no walks and five strikeouts.

Kuzminsky has given up two runs in his last five outings and struck out seven in 72⁄3 innings.

"I think we’re excited about him for next year," Trapasso said. "In his last half-dozen outings, he’s come out of the pen like he did today and thrown strikes and been down in the zone. He’s thrown the ball really well."

Austin Wobrock added two hits for UH and is now batting .301 (25-for-83) in conference play.

Junior Matt Cooper (3-7, 2.99 ERA) will take the mound in the season finale today at 10 a.m. to try to pitch the Rainbows to their third series win in four weeks. After starting the year 9-29, Hawaii has won seven of its past 12.