BASEBALL DROPS HEARTBREAKER TO HAWAI’I, 12-9, IN 10 INNINGS

4/6/2007

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Hawaii’s Kris Sanchez went 3-for-5 with five RBIs, including a two-run homer in the ninth inning and a two-run double in the 10th, as the Rainbows defeated Sacramento State, 12-9, in 10 innings of a Western Athletic Conference baseball game Friday afternoon at Hornet Field.

In a game that featured a combined 21 runs and 36 hits, no lead was safe as Hawai’i scored at least one run in all but three innings, and Sacramento State scored in all but two innings.

The game featured four ties, as the Hornets were finally able to take their first lead of the game (7-6) with a two-run bottom of the seventh, highlighted by RBI-singles from Blake Crosby and Gabe Jacobo. Sacramento State carried its 7-6 lead into the ninth inning before Hawaii’s Brandon Haislet led off with a single and Sanchez followed with a two-run homer to right-center field off Sacramento State closer Mitch Lively.

The Hornets tied the game in the bottom of the ninth on an RBI-fielders choice from Jeff Hannah which scored Tim Wheeler from third base. Hawai’i then opened the top of the 10th inning with a double from Jorge Franco and later added a one-out walk to Haislet. Sacramento State pitcher Chris Mols then took over for Lively, and eventually gave up two-run doubles to both Sanchez and pinch hitter Matt Roquemore.

The Hornets added a run in the 10th, but it was not enough as Sacramento State dropped to 9-22 overall and 4-7 in the WAC. Sacramento State has dropped a season-high seven games in a row as each of the team’s last three losses have come by three runs.

With the victory, the Rainbows improved to 24-11 and 5-3 in the WAC. Hawaii’s Nos. 4 and 5 hitters in the lineup (Haislet and Sanchez) combined to go 7-for-10 with five runs scored, three doubles, two home runs and seven RBIs). Haislet finished 4-for-5 with three runs and two RBIs.

Lively dropped to 1-3 with the loss and suffered his third blown save in his last three chances. Sacramento State used five pitchers during the game, highlighted by Cyrus Sarraf allowing just one hit and no runs over two innings.

Hawaii’s Tyler Davis (5-0) picked up the win, throwing the final four innings, allowing six hits and two runs (one earned) over that span.

Five different Hornets had multiple-hit games, including Wheeler going 4-for-4 with three runs scored. Jacobo improved his team-high season batting average to .347 as the sophomore went 2-for-5 with a mammoth home run that nearly landed on top of the parking garage beyond the left field wall. Montana Dye finished with three hits, a home run and two RBIs, Crosby had two hits and two RBIs, and Travis Kirkman finished with two hits and two runs.

The Hornets and Rainbows return to the diamond tomorrow for the third and final game of the series at 1 p.m. Hawaii won the series opener on Thursday, 9-6.