MESA, Ariz. » Much of Hawaii’s success this year hinged on the play of its talented freshman class.
After Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso challenged them following Wednesday’s loss to Fresno State, they all responded in a big way.
Starters Stephen Ventimilia, Kaeo Aliviado and Trevor Podratz combined for five of Hawaii’s nine hits and scored four of UH’s six runs in a 9-6 loss to Louisiana Tech on Thursday.
Ventimilia started the game with a single and a stolen base and Aliviado drove him in with an RBI double before UH had even recorded an out.
"We tried to come out here hard and not think about the last game but get us going in this game," said Aliviado, who had two hits and drove in two runs.
Ventimilia was one of four Rainbows to start all 55 games this year, while Aliviado started all 52 games he appeared in.
Ventimilia took over the leadoff spot early in the season and led the team with 42 runs scored, 37 walks and 14 stolen bases.
"I kind of burned out a little bit at the end and I showed that," Ventimilia said. "I’m disappointed with myself because it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish, and I finished the season on a down note."
Podratz was the team’s top power hitter, belting five homers with 27 RBIs in 49 games.
His .388 slugging percentage was second on the team.
"It’s been a learning experience for them and I was happy how our freshmen bounced back today after I challenged them," Trapasso said.
Left-hander Lawrence Chew, a 2011 Mid-Pacific graduate, tossed two shutout innings and ended the year with a 2.40 ERA in a team-best 22 appearances.
Harrison finishes game on mound
Senior Brent Harrison ended one of UH’s best seasons ever by a reliever with a scoreless eighth inning against the Bulldogs.
The right-hander, who was held out of the Nevada series with elbow pain, gave up a one-out single in an otherwise clean inning.
In 21 appearances this year, Harrison allowed only four earned runs in 312⁄3 innings and finished 2-1 with a 1.14 ERA.
He contributed to two shutouts and recorded a team-high eight saves, allowing only one walk in his last seven appearances.
Goodbye, Mesa
Hawaii finished 6-5 in 11 games played at Hohokam Stadium over the past three years.
Louisiana Tech was the first team other than Fresno State to beat the Rainbows here.
Hawaii won its first WAC tournament title in 18 years in 2010 in the first year the tournament moved to a neutral site.
Senior Collin Bennett, who went hitless on Thursday for the first time in the tournament, finished his career hitting .440 (22-for-50) at Hohokam. He holds the single-tournament records for hits (13) and doubles (seven).
The 2013 WAC tournament is scheduled for Arlington, Texas.
The Rainbows are moving to the Big West, which currently doesn’t have a postseason tournament.
