Hawaii ends series opener filled with controversy with comeback win over Longwood

On a baseball night of controversy, Hawaii pulled out a 5-4 victory over Longwood at Les Murakami Stadium.

A Friday night crowd of 1,193 saw the Rainbow Warriors score two runs in the eighth, including freshman Dallas Duarte’s go-ahead RBI, to win the opener of this four-game series.

The ’Bows had tied the score at 4 when pinch runner Daylen Calicdan raced home from third on Jack Kennelly’s two-out single to left field.

After Scotty Scott walked, both runners advanced on an obstruction call on first baseman Jacob Mitchell. Following an extended appeal, Duarte hit a chopper to third and out-raced the throw as Kennelly scored the go-ahead run.

Li‘i Pontes pitched three scoreless innings in relief of Jeremy Wu-Yelland to earn the victory.

It was a wild night of appeals, comebacks and UH coach Mike Trapasso’s ejection.

Longwood’s Jawan McAllister powered a controversial two-run homer in the fifth to put the Lancers ahead 4-3.

Trapasso asked for a review, challenging what side of the left-field pole the ball crossed. Umpire Kevin Daugherty confirmed the homer — and the Lancers’ 4-3 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, Trapasso was ejected for arguing an interference call. UH’s Adam Fogel appeared to steal second on a swinging strike to Ethan Lopez. But Daugherty ruled that Lopez’s backswing interfered with catcher Carlos Garrido’s ability to throw to second. Lopez was called out to end the inning, but not the argument. That ended when Daugherty tossed Trapasso.

The ’Bows benefited from changes. Logan Pouelsen, who entered with a .167 average and seven strikeouts in 24 at-bats, scored two runs, drew two walks and stole a base. Tyler Best, who committed five errors at second base in last week’s series against Iowa, started in right field. Best had two hits and two RBIs.

The ’Bows closed to 2-1 in the second. Pouelsen opened with a single to center. He advanced to second on left-hander Andrew Melnyk’s errant pickoff throw. The Lancers then shifted their infield, moving shortstop Antwaun Tucker to the right of second base. Maake Yamazaki, a left-swinger, singled to the area vacated by Tucker and Pouelsen sprinted home.

The ’Bows went ahead 3-2 in the fourth inning. Pouelsen drew a one-out walk and went to second on Yamazaki’s single past Tucker. Pouelsen and Yamazaki advanced on a double steal. It was Pouelsen’s first steal since March 4, 2017. Best singled to center, plating both Pouelsen and Yamazaki.

The Lancers averaged 2.9 runs in their first eight games, but wasted little time in taking a 2-0 lead. With two outs, McAllister reached on an infield single to short. He advanced to second on Wu-Yelland’s balk, a call that drew the first of Trapasso’s angry protests.

McAllister raced home from second on Nate Blakeney’s double to the left-field corner. Blakeney then scored when Hunter Gilliam grounded a single to center.

The ’Bows improved to 4-5. The Lancers fell to 3-6.

The teams meet at 1 p.m today, with right-handed pitcher Dylan Thomas making his first start for UH.