G1: New Mexico State 6, Hawaii 5

The last nonconference series before the start of Big West Conference play begins with some good news for Hawaii.

Sophomore Marcus Doi is in the lineup hitting sixth as the designated hitter. Doi, who hit .345 as a freshman, hasn’t played since the season-opening series against Oregon.

LINEUPS

New Mexico State
Daniel Johnson, LF (.250, 4 2bs, 10 runs)
Aaron Duran, 2B (.286, 6 runs)
Quinnton Mack, CF (.319, 6 2bs, 3 3bs, HR, 10 RBIs)
Joseph Koerper, 1B (.356, 3 2bs, HR, 9 RBIs)
Jay Sheeley, RF (.172, 2 2bs, 5 runs)
Brent Hermanussen, C (.310, 7 RBIs)
Michael Paulson, RHP (.217, 5 2bs, 6 RBIs)
Derek Umphres, 3B (.192, 2 2bs, 2 HRs, 11 runs)
RHP Michael Paulson (0-1, 7.27 ERA. 8 2/3 IP, 4 K)

Hawaii
Kaeo Aliviado, CF (.264, 2 2bs, 4 HRs, 11 RBIs)
J.J. Kitaoka, 2B (.239, 2 2bs, 1 3b, 8 RBIs)
Eric Ramirez, 1B (.277, 2b, 11 RBIs)
Alex Sawelson, 3B (.258, 2b, 6 RBIs)
Alan Baldwin, LF (.233, 2 2bs, HR, 8 RBIs)
Marcus Doi, DH (.000, 3 runs)
Jordan Richartz, RF (.217, 3 2bs, 2 HRs, 11 RBIs)
Chayce Ka’aua, C (.200, 2 2bs, 10 RBIs)
Jacob Sheldon-Collins, SS (.218, 2 2bs, 6 runs)
RHP L.J. Brewster (3-2, 2.23 ERA, 32 1/3 IP, 21 K)

Scott Karl, the former big leaguer who played for Hawaii from 1990-92, will throw out the first pitch. Karl pitched for the Brewers, Rockies and Angels from 1995-2000. Karl’s 146 strikeouts in 1992 have only been topped by Derek Tatsuno in 1978 and ’79.

After Brewster cruises through an eight-pitch top of the first, UH loads the bases with nobody out on a hit-by-pitch, a bunt single that probably should have been ruled an error, and a four-pitch walk. Terrible baserunning error as Sawelson flies out to center. Aliviado decides to hold at third but Kitaoka takes off for third and can’t get back to second in time and is doubled off. Baldwin then flies out to center. Inexcusable by UH, which comes away with nothing.

TOP 2: Brewster gives up two hits, including a two-out single by Paulson, the pitcher, but Aliviado saves him by throwing out Sheeley at the plate. Second outfield assist this year by Aliviado.

BOTTOM 2:Doi’s first at-bat is a four-pitch walk. Richartz beats out a double play and then takes third on Sheldon-Collins’ two-out hit. Sheldon-Collins goes to second on the throw to third. Aliviado flies out to right on the first pitch and UH strands two in scoring position.

BOTTOM 3: Ramirez comes up with the first big hit of the game as he goes opposite field to the gap for a double to drive in Kitaoka. UH adds a second run as Doi hits a ball that is caught in the gap, but it brings home Ramirez from third for a sacrifice fly.

BOTTOM 5:BOTTOM 6: Ka’aua squares up a ball into the gap in right-center for a leadoff double and scores on a Sheldon-Collins bunt that is thrown away by the third baseman. Two walks load the bases with nobody out. Ramirez goes ahead 3-1 but strikes out after two nice pitches by Tyler Aguirre. Sawelson with a fly ball to center to bring in Sheldon-Collins. Doi strikes out with the bases loaded to end it. UH has left 11 on through 6.

Brewster gives up career-highs of eight hits and five walks but manages to go seven scoreless with five strikeouts.

Cameron Haskins with a pinch hit two-run bomb over both fences in right cuts the lead in half. Culp gives up the homer but battles back with consecutive strikeouts to end the inning.

Duran with a leadoff single in the ninth for the 11th hit for the Aggies. Mack hits into a fielder’s choice and just beats out the double play. Two more hits load the bases and Culp is out, Andrew Jones in. Jones with the strikeout and is up 0-2 when the lights flicker, causing the umpires to meet with both coaches. After a 2-minute delay, Paulson singles to center on the second pitch and it’s tied 4-4. Unbelievable. Kennon finds a hole up the middle for a two-run single the Aggies take the lead.

Hawaii got a two-out walk by Sheldon-Collins and an RBI triple from Kaeo Aliviado, who was stranded on third as Kitaoka grounds out to short to end it. The most brutal loss in a season of many.