Feb. 2, 2006
HONOLULU - Hawai'i scored four unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to erase a one-run deficit and go on to defeat San Diego State, 11-9, Thursday night at Les Murakami Stadium in Honolulu. The game was a wild one that saw a total of 10 errors (seven by SDSU) and nine wild pitches between the two teams contribute to the final score line.
In fact, the Rainbows' four-run rally came with the help of three SDSU errors, three walks and a pair of hits. The big blow in the inning was a bases-loaded double down the right field line by designated hitter Justin Frash that scored three runs to give the home side the lead for good in a contest that went back-and-forth all evening.
Aztec reliever Brett Douglas was the victim of his team's defensive miscues in the seventh as he was saddled with the loss to fall to 0-1 on the year. Conversely, Rainbow hurler Rich Olsen (1-0) was the beneficiary, picking up the win after having allowed SDSU to go ahead in the top of the inning.
The game begin well enough for San Diego State (0-2) as leadoff hitter Quintin Berry recorded a double on a bunt that got by the charging Hawai'i third baseman and trickled into left field. The hit ignited a three-run rally for the visitors, but the Rainbows answered back with two of their own in the bottom of the frame off SDSU starter Justin Masterson.
Hawai'i (2-0) continued to chip away and took a 5-4 lead after four innings, only to see the Aztecs regain the advantage with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth as Curt Mendoza scored on a passed ball and Paul Smyth came home on an RBI single by catcher Chris Anderson.
SDSU stretched its lead to 7-5 in the sixth on a single by Quintin Berry, a stolen base and a throwing error by the Rainbow shortstop.
However, Hawai'i came back once again, this time tying the game at 7-7 in the bottom of the sixth on a play in which a wild pitch and error scored two runs. With runners on second and third, a wild pitch by Masterson brought in the lead runner. When catcher Chris Anderson's throw got by Masterson, the second runner was also able to cross the plate.
SDSU took an 8-7 lead with a run in the top of the seventh on Nick Romero's RBI single before the Rainbows scored their four runs in the bottom of the frame.
Just as he did on Wednesday evening, Rainbow closer Darrell Fisherbaugh came on to record the save. Fisherbaugh came on in the eighth and recorded six strikeouts over his two innings of work.
Aztec senior Paul Smyth, a transfer from the University of New Orleans, made his SDSU debut a memorable one, garnering three hits (including a double) with two RBI and a pair of runs scored. Four others had two hits apiece for San Diego State including Berry, Curt Mendoza, Jordan Swaydan and Romeo.
The Aztecs and Rainbows will play the third contest of their four game series Friday evening beginning at 6:35 p.m. (HST). The game can be heard live on the Internet as well as on CASH 1700-AM in San Diego beginning at 8:25 p.m. local time with the pre-game show.
Hawai'i 11, San Diego State 9SDSU 302 032 220 - 9 13 7UH 201 202 40x - 11 12 3Masterson, Coon (6), Douglas (6), Lynch (7) and Anderson, Ungricht (8)Harrington, Olsen (6), Fisherbaugh (8) and LopezW - Olsen (1-0)L - Douglas (0-1)Sv - Fisherbaugh (2)HR - NoneAtt. - 849Time - 3:25