Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Game 1 | Game 2

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i baseball team and Central Michigan split a doubleheader on Saturday at Les Murakami Stadium to close their four-game series. The Rainbows won the opener, 2-1, but dropped game two of the twin bill, 3-1.

In the opener, Rainbow pitching did just enough to get the win in the seven-inning contest. Scott Squier (3-1) pitched four scoreless innings for the win, and David Longville came on to toss 2.2 innings of quality relief.

Brent Harrison pitched a pressure-cooked seventh inning to earn his second save. He entered the game with UH (11-6) still holding its two-run lead, but CMU (6-9) had runners on second and third with two outs. After one run came home, Harrison forced a grounder to Pi'ikea Kitamura (1 RBI) at shortstop who stepped on second base for a force out to end the game.

Rick Dodridge (1-2) pitched a complete game for the Chippewas but was tagged with the loss. William Arnold led CMU batting 3-3 with one RBI.

Max Duval's RBI double in the third inning coupled with Kitamura's sixth inning sacrifice fly proved to be the difference in the game. Kaeo Aliviado (1 H, 1 R) ripped a pitch to right field to start the third inning, and advanced to second on a Randon Henika miscue. Duval's double brought Aliviado home to give UH the early lead.

The Rainbows gave themselves a bit of breathing room in sixth inning. Collin Bennett (1 H, 1 R) singled to open the inning, and would eventually come home on Kitamura's fly out which proved to be the critical run in UH's victory.

Game two saw an impressive pitching performance for the Rainbows by freshman Kyle Dowdy, whose 12 strikeouts were not enough for a UH win. Dowdy, who pitched in relief of starter Lawrence Chew (0-1), struck out nearly half the batters he faced in his 6.2 innings and allowed no earned runs.

Dowdy's efforts came after CMU plated a pair of runs off Chew in the second inning. Chew allowed three hits in the inning including RBI singles by Tyler Huntey (1 H, 1 RBI) and Jordan Adams (1 H, 1 R).

Hawai'i crept back into the game in the third inning to cut the lead to 2-1. Ventimilia (1 H, 1 R) and Breland Almadova both walked to start the inning, and Bennett (1 H, 1 RBI) delivered an RBI base hit to cut the lead in half. Central Michigan answered back to regain their two-run advantage as Jordan Dean (2-4, 1 R), who stole third as part of a double steal, scored on a passed ball.
Kitamura led the 'Bows at the plate in game two with two hits.

2,873 tickets were issued for the doubleheader with 1,446 fans coming through the turnstiles.

UH next plays San Francisco in the final series of their 21-game home stand. The 'Bows and Dons will play a four game series at Les Murakami Stadium beginning Thursday, Mar 15.





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