SAN JOSE, Calif. – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow baseball team (28-25, 11-12 WAC) clinched a spot in next week's Western Athletic Conference Tournament, splitting a doubleheader with the San Jose State Spartans (21-34, 9-14) 4-2 and 0-3 at Municipal Stadium Saturday.

 

Sam Spangler (4-6) got the win in the first game, allowing just one run in 6.0 innings pitched. Lenny Linsky came in late to earn his 11th save of the season. John Austin (1-8) took the loss for the Spartans.

 

Collin Bennett was 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and a run. Greg Garcia also went 3-for-4 with two runs, a double and a stolen base. Jeffrey Van Doornum added a 2-for-4 game with a stolen base

 

The Rainbows opened the scoring in the top of the second as Garcia stole third before scoring on a fielder's choice, putting UH ahead 1-0. In the top of the third, Bennett added a two-run double, extending the Hawai'i lead to 3-0.

 

The Spartans scored a run in the bottom of the sixth to pull it back to 3-1. Jason Martin then hit a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth to get San Jose State within a run at 3-2.

 

The 'Bows scored an insurance run in the top of the ninth as Kolten Wong drew a bases loaded-walk, making it 4-2.

 

Linsky then came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth. After allowing a single up the middle that went off his leg, the sophomore retired the next three Spartans to preserve the win.

 

In the second game, Matt Sisto (4-5) took the loss, allowing three runs in 4.0 innings. Sean Martin (2-3) got the victory while Zack Jones came in to get the save and preserve the shutout for the Spartans.

 

Kolten Wong went 2-for-3 with a double to lead the 'Bows, while Pi'ikea Kitamura, Kevin Macdonald, Bennett and Matt Roquemore all had singles.

 

The Spartans posted the first runs in the game on a two-run double in the second inning by Nick Borg. They then added another run in the third as Corey Valine singled in a run, making it 3-0.

 

Hawai'i had a great chance to get into the game in the sixth, loading the bases with one out. But Jones came in and got the next two Rainbows out to keep UH off the scoreboard.

 

The two teams close the series, and the regular season for both teams tomorrow with a 1:00 p.m. (10:00 a.m. HST) game at Municipal Stadium.

 

-UH-