LIHU‘E — It might not technically be classified as a game-winning hit, but Pi‘ikea Kitamura took one for the team when he got plunked in the helmet with the bases loaded in the ninth inning, giving the ‘Bows a 4-3
LIHU‘E — It might not technically be classified as a game-winning hit, but Pi‘ikea Kitamura took one for the team when he got plunked in the helmet with the bases loaded in the ninth inning, giving the ‘Bows a 4-3 win, Friday.
The University of Hawai‘i (34-26) victory over the San Diego Toreros (36-21) in the first game of the Tempe Regional was a back-and-forth affair with both teams making key plays and key blunders.
David Freitas homered for UH, a two-run blast in the sixth inning to get the Rainbows on the board. He was 1 for 4 on the day.
Jeffrey Van Doornum, the team’s leading home run hitter, hit a solo shot and scored two runs in the game.
Starting pitcher Matt Sisto had a no-decision, but was very effective on the mound. He went 7.0 innings, giving up two runs on eight hits, striking out four and walking none.
Reliever Lenny Linsky (4-0) got the win after giving up an unearned run, but no hits.
Sean Montplaisir, Kevin Macdonald and Greg Garcia each collected two hits.
The Toreros grabbed the lead in the second inning as Mike Ferraro smacked a two-run home run to right field to put San Diego up 2-0.
Both teams limited the other’s opportunities until Freitas connected with the game-tying homer in the sixth.
According to the NCAA, Freitas’ blast made him just the 25th player to ever clear the “green monster” in center field at Arizona State’s Packard Stadium. Players on that limited list include Barry Bonds and current Mets first baseman, Ike Davis.
In the bottom of the sixth, Kitamura was able to get to a pop-up that drifted over to the Torero dugout, snagging the fly ball before going over the railing into the dugout. The ‘Bows then got a pickoff at second base before a flyout to end the inning and keep the score at 2-2.
Hawai‘i took the 3-2 lead in the top of the eighth on Van Doornum’s shot to right-center field.
San Diego managed to push across the tying run in the bottom half, an unearned score that resulted from the ‘Bows’ first error of the game.
Montplaisir got a one-out double in the top of the ninth before Macdonald was hit by a pitch, putting two on for pinch-hitter Christian Johnson.
He was unable to get aboard, but moved each of the runners up on a fielder’s choice grounder to first base.
With a base open, the Toreros elected to intentionally walk leadoff hitter Kolten Wong, bringing up Kitamura with the bases loaded.
Pitcher Matt Thomson had a 1-2 count on the UH third baseman before losing control of the pitch and forcing in the go-ahead run with the hit batsman.
Van Doornum was retired to limit the damage to one run.
Linsky retired the Toreros in order in the bottom of the ninth to end the day’s action and move UH to 1-0 in the Regional.
Pitcher Kyle Blair was sharp in his start for San Diego, going 8.0 innings and giving up three runs — two unearned — on seven hits. He struck out eight and walked none.
The ‘Bows will take on the Arizona State Sun Devils today at 4 p.m HT (7 p.m. PT), as both teams sit at 1-0 in the Regional.
The No. 1 seed in the country, Arizona State knocked off Milwaukee 6-2, Friday night, playing in their home stadium.
