SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The University of Hawaii scored nine runs over

the final three innings to rally for a 9-7 win over Sacramento State

Tuesday afternoon at Hornet Field.

The win improved the Rainbows to 23-24 overall and gave the team its

third win in four games. The Hornets dropped to 19-29 overall and

have now lost 19 of their past 23.

Sacramento State opened the game with a bang, scoring three runs on

three hits in the first inning. The Hornets built on their lead in

the third with three more runs coming on a bases-loaded triple by

Daryl Grant. The team stretched its lead to 7-0 in the fifth when Joe

Evans singled to right center scoring a run.

The score remained 7-0 through the sixth inning as Sacramento State

freshman Marshall Plouffe limited Hawaii to just one hit through the

first six frames. UH opened the seventh with a single by Danny

Kimura. Brian Bock then reached on a fielder's choice in which Kimura

was retired and Bock later moved to second when he stole the base.

With two outs, Chad Boudon walked and pinch hitter Cort Wilson was

hit by Plouffe loading the bases. Arthur Guillen followed with a

double to left center scoring two runs and Nate Wilson added an

infield single which plated Wilson. With runners on the corners, the

Hornets picked off Jackson but Guillen scored before Jackson was

tagged out to make the score, 7-4.

Sophomore Steve Cuckovich entered the game in the eighth inning and

promptly gave up singles to four of the first six batters he faced.

Nogawa made the score 7-6 with a single to center which ended the

afternoon for Cuckovich. Senior Michael Penbera came on and

surrendered a single to Wilson which tied the game before striking

out Guillen to end the inning.

In the ninth, UH continued its hot hitting. The Rainbows started the

inning with an infield single by Jackson. Matthew Purtell failed on a

sacrifice attempt for the first out of the inning but was moved to

third on a double by Gregg Omori. Patrick Scalabrini gave Hawaii its

first lead of the day with a double to left center scoring two runs.

Bryan Lee closed out the Hornets in the final two innings to improve

to 4-2 on the season.

The loss spoiled another strong effort by Plouffe. Before giving up

the four runs in the seventh, the freshman had recorded 14

consecutive innings without a run and only allowed two hits during

that stretch.

The Sacramento State offense was paced by Aurelio Jackson. The senior

was 3-for-3, was hit twice, and drew a walk to reach base in all six

of his plate appearances. Jackson also stole his Big West-leading

37th and 38th base of the year.

WP - Bryan Lee (4-2)

LP - Michael Penbera (0-4)

Aaron Pribble, Grant Sato (3), Matt LeDucq (5), Will Quaglieri (7),

Bryan Lee (9) and Ryan Anderson, Brian Bock (4); Marshall Plouffe,

Steve Cuckovich (8), Michael Penbera (8) and Dave Lusk (9).

TOP HITTERS: UH - Danny Kimura 3x4, Gregg Omori 2x5, 2B, Nate Jackson

2x5, Patrick Scalabrini 2B, Arthur Guillen 2B; SAC - Aurelio Jackson

3x3, Mario Celillo 2x4, Daryl Grant 3B.