HONOLULU – The University of Hawai`i Rainbow baseball team (19-10, 3-1 WAC) won the series finale over the San Jose State Spartans (20-8, 1-3) in front of crowd of 3,052 at Les Murakami Stadium Sunday, taking the conference opening series. Sam Spangler (5-0) got the win in relief, pitching 4.2 scoreless innings. Scott Sobczak (4-1) took the loss for SJSU.

 

Kevin Macdonald went 2-for-4 with two RBI, a double and a run, while Kolten Wong was also 2-for-4 with two RBI. Landon Hernandez added a home run and two runs scored with Sean Montplaisir adding a two-run home run. Greg Garcia was 2-for-4 with a double and a run with Vinnie Catricala also doubling and scoring a run.

 

San Jose State jumped out early, scoring two runs in both the first and second innings, taking a quick 4-0 advantage. Montplaisir then answered for Hawai`i with a two-run homer in the bottom of the second, cutting it back to 4-2.

 

Hernandez added a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth to cut the deficit to one run. UH then took the lead in the fifth as Macdonald hit a two-run single to centerfield. Wong drove in another run in the inning to get the Rainbow lead to 6-4.

 

Wong would single in an insurance run in the seventh to put the 'Bows ahead 7-4. And that would prove more than enough for the Hawai`i bullpen. Jesse Moore pitched 3.0 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits with one walk. He and Spangler were also aided by some great defense as UH turned four double plays, preserving the victory.

 

The Rainbows will now head on the road for this week, playing a mid-week game at Santa Clara on Tuesday, April 7, before playing a four-game series at Nevada from April 9-11.