LOS ANGELES – Down by a run heading into the ninth inning, the Hawai'i baseball team once again rallied late for a 5-4 win at USC in nonconference action Tuesday.
Ben Zeigler-Namoa played hero this time, knocking in two runs with a two-out single in the ninth. The win was UH's fifth of the season when trailing going into the ninth inning and the ninth time that the 'Bows won a game when either tied or behind going into the final frame.
The ninth-inning rally got started with an error by the USC first baseman that allowed
Konnor Palmeira to reach.
Shunsuke Sakaino was hit by a pitch one batter later and after a wild pitch moved runners up to second and third, Zeigler-Namoa stepped up with two gone and laced a 1-0 pitch into left center to score both and put Hawai'i in front.
Ethan Thomas locked down his third save of the season by stranding a two-out single at second base in the ninth with a game-ending groundout.
Hawai'i (25-10) struck first, scoring two in the second and one in the third to go up 3-0.
Jordan Donahue got the scoring started with an RBI single in the second before
Draven Nushida made it 2-0 with a squeeze bunt. Zeigler-Namoa extended the lead in the third with a solo shot out to center field, his third homer of the season.
The Trojans (23-13) came right back with four runs in the bottom of the third. After UH starter
Zacary Tenn cruised through the first two frames, he walked a pair and hit one to load the bases for Bryce Grudzielanek who smacked a go-ahead grand slam with two outs to make it 4-3.
Overall, Hawai'i pitching turned in a solid combined effort holding the Trojans to just five hits.
Charlie Adamson relieved Tenn and shut the Trojans out over the next 2.2 frames while
Max Jones worked a scoreless frame and
Freddy Rodriguez went the final 1.2 without allowing a run. UH pitching stranded the bases loaded in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings to keep the 'Bows in it, as USC left 12 on base for the game.
UH also improved to 5-0 in Tuesday games this year and 10-1 overall under head coach
Rich Hill. The 'Bows also beat a Power 4 team for the 11th time under Hill and moved to 15-2 this year against nonconference opponents.
The Rainbow Warriors jump back into Big West play for another important series at No. 13 UC Irvine beginning Thursday at 3 p.m. HT.
