Rainbows get 13 hits, but USC wins

Eight different Hawaii pitchers auditioned for more playing time on Tuesday, with the season entering its final month.

The results were mixed as Southern California pulled away with four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning for a 10-4 victory over Hawaii in a nonconference game at Dedeaux Field in Los Angeles.

Kevin Swick had two hits and scored three runs for USC (21-17), which extended its winning streak to six.

Stephen Ventimilia had a career-high four hits and scored twice for Hawaii (15-22), which has lost nine of its last 10.

"We actually played with a lot of energy and toughness and offensively got some hits and had some chances to score, especially early," Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said. "We eliminate some of the mistakes and we’re a lot closer to playing the way we were a few weeks ago than we have recently."

The Rainbow Warriors outhit the Trojans 13-12 and had a chance to take the lead in the top of the eighth inning.

Trailing 6-4, UH strung together three consecutive two-out hits to bring up Kaeo Aliviado with the bases loaded.

USC brought in closer Kyle Davis to face Aliviado, who had already hit two run-scoring singles in the game.

Davis fell behind 2-0 before throwing three straight strikes to punch out Aliviado. He finished the game with a perfect ninth inning.

Austin Wobrock finished 2-for-3 with two runs scored, and Marc Flores added two hits for Hawaii.

Freshman Quintin Torres-Costa (2-2) was the first of Hawaii’s eight pitchers. He gave up one unearned run on two hits in two innings.

Junior Andrew Jones was another UH pitcher to throw well, tossing two scoreless innings.

"He was throwing pretty firm tonight," Trapasso said. "Hopefully that serves as a confidence boost for him because he’s been struggling, but we need him in that spot."

Jeremy Martinez and Jake Hernandez each had an RBI double in the third inning for USC, which extended its lead to 4-0 against junior Eric Gleese.

Hawaii got two back in the fifth on an RBI single by Aliviado and a throwing error that allowed Ventimilia to score.

After USC added two more unearned runs in the sixth inning, UH battled back again as Aliviado drove in Wobrock with a single and Ventimilia scored on Jordan Richartz’s sacrifice fly.

The Trojans then scored four runs in the bottom of the eighth off LJ Brewster.

Hawaii will finish its seven-game road trip with a three-game series at Cal State Fullerton, starting Friday. Game 1 of the series will be available on ESPN3, while ESPNU will broadcast the final two games.

E—Podratz; Brewster; Wobrock; Jones; Martinez. LOB—Hawaii 10; USC 7. 2B—Podratz; Martinez; Robinson. SH—Hanawahine; Stubb. SF—Richartz; Stubbs; Martinez; Lacey. SB—Richartz. CS—Ventimilia; Lacey.

WP—Cardenas; DePonte. PB—Martinez. Umpires—(Plate): Joe Maiden. (First): Ramon Armendariz. (Third): Mike Jarboe. T—2:37. A—333.