Box score

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i baseball team lost Thursday to Valparaiso University, 8-7. The game was the series opener, as Valpo improved to 16-21 with the Rainbows falling to 21-16. 

Kolten Wong led UH at the plate, batting 4-4 with one run and one RBI. Sean Montplaisir recorded two hits, two runs, and two RBI, and Zach Swasey added two hits, one run, and one RBI. 

Kyle Gaedele batted 2-5 with two runs and three RBI for Valpo. His three-run homer in the second inning helped the Crusaders build an early 5-0 lead. The 'Bows chipped away, as Breland Almadova (1 H, 2 RBI) singled home Montplaisir in the bottom of the second, and Wong scored on a pass ball in the third to cut the deficit to three runs. 

UH then took a 6-5 lead with a four-run sixth inning. A two-run triple by Montplaisir scoring Collin Bennett and Swasey highlighted the big inning. 

Valpo recaptured the lead with three-run seventh inning, and held on for the win. 

Alex Capaul (1-2) was tagged with the loss in a relief role for Hawai'i. Jon Gulbransen (4-5) earned the win for the Crusaders.


                                                                                        -UH-