Baseball 'Bows rained out
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
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The rain continues to follow Texas-Arlington's baseball club.
The Mavericks' game against host Hawai'i last night was postponed because of rain. It was supposed to be the second game of the day at the First Hawai'i Title Rainbow Tournament.
The No. 24 Rainbows (11-3) will play UTA (3-7) at 3 p.m. today and then play Washington (9-2) at 7 p.m. at Les Murakami Stadium.
No. 11 Arkansas will play UTA at 11 a.m.
It is the fourth time this season the Mavericks had a series or tournament opener postponed because of rain, a UTA spokesman said.
Although the rain stopped when the game was called last night, it would have taken about 30 minutes to an hour to prepare the field and more rain was in the forecast, UH coach Mike Trapasso said of the decision to postpone the game.
Trapasso said the field does not absorb water as it used to and that there was no sense risking injury because of the poor conditions, especially in the dirt areas around home plate and the bases.
Hawai'i plans to stay in rotation with right-hander Tyler Davis making his starting debut against UTA and right-hander Justin Costi starting against UW.
Meanwhile, ticket stubs from last night's postponement will be honored for today's games. Tickets purchased today also are good for the make-up game.
For seating purposes, those using the stubs from the postponed game will have rights to that seat for the UTA-UH game. Likewise, when the UW-UH game starts, those who purchase tickets for today's session have rights to those seats.
HUSKIES TRIUMPH
On three days' rest, Tim Lincecum pitched seven strong innings in a 5-2 win as Washington handed No. 11 Arkansas its first loss of the season yesterday in the opening game of the First Hawai'i Title Rainbow Tournament at Les Murakami Stadium.
"It was a great win for us," UW coach Ken Knutson said. "Lincecum was outstanding. He really didn't have his best stuff, but he really pitched well."
Lincecum (3-0) allowed two runs in the sixth after consecutive walks followed by Danny Hamblin's two-run double. He gave up seven hits and five walks with eight strikeouts as the Huskies improved to 9-2. Nick Hagaone added one-plus inning and Elliott Cribby pitched a scoreless ninth, getting a game-ending double play for his fifth save.
The Huskies jumped on the Razorbacks (9-1) for four runs in the first off starter Chris Rhoads (3-1), who lasted two-thirds of an inning, giving up four runs on four hits. Matt Lane and Matt Stevens had RBI singles, Curt Rindal had an RBI groundout and another run scored on a passed ball.
Despite the short rest between starts, the right-handed Lincecum was extended to 129 pitches. He got into a bases-loaded jam in the seventh, but struck out James Ewing to end the threat.
"I consider myself a competitor, so anytime I can throw to help the team, that's pretty much my goal," said Lincecum, considered one of the top pitchers in the country. "It wasn't too bad."
Knutson said it wasn't uncommon for Lincecum to have a high pitch count because he usually has high strikeout totals.
"That's a pretty typical seven innings for him," Knutson said.
Knutson said Lincecum will not pitch in Saturday's finale of the tournament against Hawai'i.
"He's going to pitch next Tuesday in Seattle (against San Diego)," Knutson said.
The Huskies got their fifth run in the third. Matt Hague led off with a single, stole second an out later and scored on a two-base throwing error by third baseman Blake Parker.
The Huskies play Division II Hawai'i Pacific at 1 p.m. today at Hans L'Orange Park before taking on Hawai'i tonight.
ARKANSAS (9-1) 000 002 000—2 4 1
WASHINGTON (9-2) 401 000 00X—5 8 0
Chris Rhoads, Trey Holloway (1), Lee Land (6) and Brian Walker. Tim Lincecum, Nick Hagadone (8), Elliott Cribby (9) and Matt Lane. W—Lincecum (3-0). L—Rhoads (3-1). S—Cribby (5).
Leading hitters—Ark: Danny Hamblin double, 2 RBIs; Chris Hollensworth, double. Wash: Lane 2-4, double; Matt Hague 2-4, 2 runs; Matt Stevens 2-3.
Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.