HONOLULU, Hawaii – Hawai’i completed a three-game Western Athletic Conference sweep of Sacramento State with a 5-2 win over the Hornets on Sunday afternoon at Les Murakami Stadium on Sunday afternoon.The Rainbows, now first place in the WAC, improve to 32-12 and 10-6 in league. The Hornets, now in fifth place, fall to 20-27 and 8-10 in the WAC.
Luis Avila again gave the Sacramento State pitching staff trouble, hitting the game-deciding three-run homer to center field in the bottom of the third to break open a tied game and give the Rainbows a 4-1 edge.
Hawai’i starting pitcher Ian Harrington (5-3) pitched his first complete game of the year and allowed just two runs (one earned) and six hits in the win.
Hornet starter John Schlager (1-1) took the loss after pitching 4.2 innings and allowing four runs on six hits.
Jorge Franco gave Hawai’i an early 1-0 lead with a double off the left field wall in the bottom of the second to score Esteban Lopez.
But Sacramento State responded in the top of the third led by starting shortstop Everet Rincon. The Riverside, Calif., native recorded a one-out single and advanced to third on Gary Johnson’s 11th double of the year. Rincon then scored on a called balk on Harrington.
The Hornets added their second run in the top of the eighth when Rincon scored on Patrick Cummins’ sacrifice fly.
