Box Score

HONOLULU - The University of Hawai`i Rainbow baseball team (30-12, 8-6 WAC) moved to within a half a game of first in the WAC standings with a 3-2 victory over the Sacramento State Hornets (20-25, 8-8) in front of a crowd of 3,133 at Les Murakami Stadium Friday. Steven Wright (8-2) gave up two runs in 7.2 innings to get the victory, while Darrell Fisherbaugh pitched 1.1 no-hit innings to record his eighth save. Matt Campbell (4-8) pitched well in the loss, allowing just two earned runs in a complete game.

Luis Avila led the team offensively, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and a run. Matthew Inouye was 2-for-3 with a triple, a run and a RBI while Elijah Christensen provided the big blast, hitting a solo home run in a 2-for-3 game.

The 'Bows took the lead in the bottom of the third as Christensen hit his first home run of the season, down the right line, to give UH the 1-0 lead.

Hawai`i looked to increase to their advantage in the fourth, as Inouye and Avila were on second and third with just one out after a sacrifice bunt by Esteban Lopez. But a ground out and a fly out followed, preventing UH from adding any runs. The Hornets took advantage as they overtook the Rainbows in the fifth, scoring two runs to make it 2-1.

After a single by Avila opened the bottom of the sixth, Inouye hit a ball to left field that bounced off the glove of Brian Conradi, who was diving for the catch, then ricocheted all the way to the fence in center. Avila made his way around to score on Inouye's triple, with Inouye scoring from third on a Sacramento State throwing error, giving the 'Bows a 3-2 edge.

The Hornets made one final push in the eighth, hitting back-to-back singles with two outs, forcing Wright out of the game. But Fisherbaugh came in and recorded the final out, with some defensive help, on a ground out that went off Justin Frash at third before Christensen threw out the batter, ending the threat. Fisherbaugh then retired Sac State, allowing just one walk, in the ninth to close out the victory.

The two teams will play again tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. at Les Murakami Stadium. Around 300 tickets remained for the game when the ticket office closed Friday.

-UH-