Rainbows rally for a rare road victory

Down yet another player, the Hawaii baseball team started its seven-game road trip with a rare win away from Les Murakami Stadium.

The Rainbows took advantage of two throwing errors to score three runs in the top of the ninth inning, rallying for a 5-2 win over Pacific on Friday night at Klein Family Field in Stockton, Calif.

Marc Flores and Kaeo Aliviado had three hits apiece, and Stephen Ventimilia hit a game-tying, two-run double in the seventh for the Rainbows (10-29, 5-11 Big West), who won for just the third time in 13 games on the mainland this season.

Austin Wobrock and Trevor Podratz each went 2-for-4 with two runs scored as the Rainbows played without backup catcher Tyler Young, who has an injured shoulder and was unable to throw before the game without pain.

"We found that out right before the game started," Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso said. "(Podratz) is going to have be an iron man for us on this road trip if (Young) can’t go."

With 23 healthy bodies available, UH trailed 2-0 through six innings against Pacific starter John Haberman, who entered the game with a 6.27 ERA.

Podratz and Wobrock started the seventh with singles, and Haberman’s day ended after Jerry Kleman laid down a sacrifice bunt to move up the runners.

Travis Lumby came on in relief and served up a two-run double to the gap in right-center by Ventimilia, who finished with two of UH’s 14 hits.

UH was in a similar situation again in the ninth as Podratz and Wobrock again led off with singles to put the go-ahead run at second base.

Kalei Hanawahine dropped down a bunt that was fielded by Dustin Torchio, who went for the force at third.

Instead, he threw it to left field for an error, allowing Podratz to score. Wobrock made it 4-2 as the throw back to the infield from Gio Brusa got away for a second error on the play,

Pi‘ikea Kitamura followed with a single up the middle to bring in Hanawahine for his team-leading 21st RBI.

"We put it together late and ended up with 14 hits," Trapasso said.

Senior Connor Little allowed two runs on seven hits in 62⁄3 innings and didn’t factor into the decision despite keeping UH in the game.

Pacific scored both of its runs in the fourth inning as Little allowed four straight batters to reach base with two outs.

Torchio and Brett Sullivan delivered the RBI singles in the inning.

Things could have been worse for Little, who was helped out by multiple defensive plays by Aliviado in center.

"He really was the story of the game because he made about four big-time running and diving catches in center that kept us in the game when we weren’t scoring," Trapasso said. "I was hesitant to use him in center this year because he’s got such a good arm and that plus arm doesn’t play as much in center field because you’re normally playing deep.

"His first step has been so good that he’s been able to run balls down, and that was huge for us tonight."

Lawrence Chew replaced Little with two outs in the seventh and gave up a fly ball that Aliviado tracked down in right-center for the third out to strand runners on first and second.

Chew (2-1) allowed one hit and struck out two to earn the win, and has allowed only one of the last 16 batters he’s faced to reach base.

Senior Corey MacDonald, who is 4-5 with a 4.03 ERA, will start Game 2 today at 1 p.m. Hawaii time.