Box Score

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The University of Hawai`i Rainbow baseball team (23-11, 4-3 WAC) defeated the Sacramento State Hornets (9-21, 4-6) 9-6 in the series-opener at Hornet Field Thursday. Ian Harrington (5-5) got the win, going 5.2 innings with four runs, while Jayson Kramer pitched 1.2 shutout innings to get his second save of the season.

Kris Sanchez led the way, going 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs. Sacramento native Vinnie Catricala went 2-for-5 with two RBI, a run and a double while Derek DuPree was 2-for-3 with one RBI. Elijah Christensen was 1-for-3 with two RBI and a run while Brandon Haislet was 2-for-5 with one run and a double.

Hawai`i jumped ahead with a big second inning, putting up six runs, highlighted by a RBI-double by Catricala and a two-run single by Sanchez, giving UH the early edge. Sacramento State was able to put up a run in the bottom of the third, cutting it back to 6-1.

Hornet David Flores led off the fifth with a solo home run, cutting their deficit back to 6-2. Sacramento State then added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to get within two runs at 6-4.

The Rainbows came up with some insurance runs in the top of the seventh, scoring three, capped by a two-run single by Christensen, making it 9-4.

Sacramento State was able to put up two runs in the eighth inning, putting an end to Matthew Daly's 22.1-inning streak without an earned run. But Kramer came in and the 'Bows were able to hold on, taking the game 9-6.

The two teams will continue their series tomorrow at Hornet Field, with a 2 p.m. game.

-UH-