MINNEAPOLIS – The University of Hawai`i Rainbow baseball team (3-5) lost a heartbreaker to the Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-2) 5-4 in the Dairy Queen Classic finale Sunday. Josh Slaats took the loss for UH while Cullen Sexton got the win for the Gophers.

 

The Rainbows went into the bottom of the ninth with a 4-2 lead. UH continued to hold that lead with two outs in the inning before Eric Decker singled in a run. Jon Hummel then hit a two-run single to give Minnesota the 5-4 win.

 

Jared Alexander made his first start of the season, allowing just one hit in 4.0 shutout innings. Sam Spangler again pitched well in relief, allowing just one hit while striking out four in 4.0 innings.

 

Christian Johnson and Sean Montplaisir led the way at the plate, both going 2-for-3 with two runs and a double. Jeffrey Van Doornum added a 1-for-3 game with two stolen bases while Kolten Wong and Shane Hoey had one RBI each.

 

The Rainbows jumped ahead in the second inning as Montplaisir and Hoey both drove in a run to go ahead 2-0. Minnesota came back to tie it in the fifth, before Hawai`i again pushed its lead to 4-2 with two runs in the seventh inning.

 

Wong and Kevin Macdonald earned all-tournament team honors in the classic.

 

UH will return to the islands for a four-game series vs. Mississippi State from March 5-8.