NCAA baseball: Oregon vs. Hawaii Game 2

In the biggest output of the baseball season, Hawaii pounds Oregon, 13-5, to take a 2-0 lead in this four-game series.

Of note:

> Aaron Davenport is proving to be the ‘Bows’ best starting pitcher. He allowed two runs while striking out nine in seven innings. The two runs he yielded in the third? It could be from the rust he accumulated during the ‘Bows’ six-run second that took 28 minutes.

> Scotty Scott and Kole Kaler are a dynamic 1-2 punch at the top of the lineup. They each drove in three runs. Scott appeared to hit a grand slam when a drive hit the top of the wall in right field. It was initially ruled a homer but upon further discussion among the umpires was ruled a ground-rule double. But the ‘Bows made back the two runs on Kaler’s double and Dallas Duarte‘s RBI. Scott later mused that he touched home plate twice in that sequence.

> Adam Fogel also had a revival of sorts, getting hits in his first three at bats, including his first extra base (a double) of the season.

> The only thing that needed work was interpretation of the 20-second rule in which there was a time limit to throw a pitch. Oregon starter Robert Ahlstrom was penalized three times — assessed a ball each time, including one for an RBI. There was some debate as to whether stepping off the mound to regroup, a practical baseball act, should count against the time limit.

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The ‘Bows scored six runs in the second to take command. Here’s a breakdown of the inning:

> The ‘Bows had five hits in an inning for the first time this season.

> Oregon left-hander Robert Ahlstrom threw 50 pitches in a half inning that lasted 28 minutes.

> Matt Campos started the scoring when he was beaned with the bases loaded. Shortstop Kole Kaler added a two-run single.

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A night after Hawaii came back to defeat Oregon, 6-4, the teams are back in action tonight at Les Murakami Stadium.

Aaron Davenport, who has been UH’s most effective starting pitcher, makes his fifth start of the season. He is 3-0 with a 2.01 ERA.

Left-hander Robert Ahlstrom gets the nod for the Ducks. He is 2-0 with a 2.89 ERA.

Although it was rainy up until an hour before the game — duck weather — it is relatively dry for the first pitch.