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Austin Wobrock hit the game-winning single off UAB pitcher Cory Eller’s glove to score Juliene Jones with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to give Hawaii a 5-4 win over Alabama-Birmingham on Thursday night at Les Murakami Stadium.
The Rainbow Warriors (10-11) scored three in the ninth to beat the Blazers (16-6) and earn their first win when trailing after eight innings since 2012.
Stephen Ventimilia had two hits and drew a leadoff walk to start the ninth. Kaeo Aliviado followed with a single up the middle to extend his hitting streak to five games as UH put the tying run on base with nobody out.
Marc Flores, who gave UH a 2-1 lead with a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, drilled a one-out single to right to score Ventimilia to make it 4-3.
UAB brought in Eller, who got Juliene Jones to ground into a fielder’s choice. Aliviado moved to third as the tying run with two outs for Adam Hurley, who blooped a single into shallow left to score Aliviado to tie it at 4-4.
Trevor Podratz drew a walk to load the bases before Wobrock’s hit ended it.
Adam Lau drilled a pinch-hit, three-run homer off UH reliever Andrew Jones with two outs in the top of the eighth to give UAB a 4-2 lead.
Jones (1-2) got the win despite allowing three runs on three hits and three walks in 2 1/3 innings. Starter Matt Cooper allowed one run on eight hits in 6 2/3 innings with three walks and seven strikeouts.
Flores finished 2-for-3 with two walks and two RBIs.
The series continues Friday night at 6:35.
