GRAMBLING, La. – The University of Hawai'i baseball team rallied from an early five-run deficit to top Grambling State University 11-8 in Tuesday at Tigers Field. UH won its first non-conference road game to improve to 24-16. Grambling falls to 17-20 on the season. 

Stephen Ventimilia had three hits, one run, and two RBI to lead the Rainbows who uncharacteristically walked 10 Tiger batters. A.J. Bayus and Kaeo Aliviado both recorded two hits, two runs, and one RBI with Cody Clark grabbing a pair of hits and scoring two runs. Aliviado tripled to lead off the sixth inning and later scored to help UH put the game away. 

Jon Flinn (1-1) earned his first win in a Rainbow uniform. He allowed two runs on four hits with five strikeouts in five innings of relief. Kyle Dowdy worked a scoreless ninth inning for his third save. Tiger starter Pervis Mann was tagged with the loss in 2.2 innings of work, surrendering eight runs on six hits. 

The Rainbows got off to a slow start as they watched the Tigers score five runs in their first at bats. The first  inning was highlighted by a three-run homer from Brian Knuckles who finished the game hitting 2-4 with one run and three RBI. 

Not to be outdone, Hawai'i came alive in the third inning, sending 12 batters to the dish to the tune of eight runs. Ty Pedretti earned his first collegiate start and delivered a two-RBI single for the big hit of the inning. 

Dionte Mandeldove batted 2-4 with one run for Grambling, and Darren Farmer added one hit, two runs, and one RBI. 

Hawai'i will remain in Louisiana and close out the road trip against Louisiana Tech. The Rainbows and Bulldogs will play a three-game series beginning Thursday, April 26. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. CT.





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