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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Monday, February 20, 2006

'Bows sweep Loyola Marymount, 11-4

Advertiser Staff

Hawai'i completed its first series sweep of the season with an 11-4 win against Loyola Marymount yesterday at Page Stadium in Los Angeles.

The Rainbows (9-2) stretched their win streak to five, while the Lions (2-8) have dropped five in a row.

However, UH starting pitcher Mark Rodrigues was pulled after four innings because of tightness in his arm. He allowed a run, four hits and a walk with three strikeouts. This being his first season back after Tommy John surgery, his removal was strictly a precaution, UH coach Mike Trapasso said. The Rainbows had a 10-1 lead at the time.

"We wanted him to go five (the minimum required to get credit for the win)," Trapasso said. "But he had a hard time getting loose."

The left-handed Rodrigues sat for long periods because UH sent nine batters up in a three-run first and 10 in a six-run fourth.

But freshman right-hander Matt Daly (2-0) pitched five strong innings of relief, allowing three runs (two earned), seven hits and no walks with two strikeouts.

"He threw well," Trapasso said. "Daly settled (after giving up three runs in his first inning). He was cruising at the end."

By winning the first two games of the series, Trapasso had leeway to start four reserves: Freshmen Landon Hernandez (catcher) and Nathan Young (shortstop), as well as sophomore Ryan Asato (right field) and junior Eli Rimes (first base).

Hernandez, batting cleanup, went 1 for 1 with two RBIs, a sacrifice fly and three walks; Rimes was 2 for 4 with two RBIs; Asato was 1 for 3 with an RBI. Young, however, was 0 for 5.

"It was good to see the guys contribute," Trapasso said.

Eli Christensen was 2 for 5 with three RBIs, Robbie Wilder was 2 for 4 with three runs and a steal, and Derek DuPree was 2 for 5 with two runs and two steals.

The Rainbows jumped on LMU starter Roberto Torres (0-2) for six runs, seven hits and three walks in three-plus innings.

Blake Feaser didn't fare any better, giving up four runs (three earned) in UH's six-run fourth.

Hawai'i's road series sweep was the first since April when the Rainbows swept three at San Jose State.

Hawai'i will open a three-game series against Southern California starting Friday at Les Murakami Stadium.

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