17 Rainbows experience senior night and reflect on the year

In the end, the Hawaii baseball team’s undoing was neither the day-long rain nor the the lightning storm that caused a 30-minute delay.

It was an unheralded Cal State Northridge right-hander who baffled the Rainbow Warriors on senior night at Les Murakami Stadium.

An announced sellout of 4,354 — there were 2,431 through the gates — saw Adam Christopher pitch a six-hit complete game in the Matadors’ 8-1 victory. Christopher had never pitched past the sixth inning or thrown more than 67 pitches in his previous three starts.

But Christopher struck out 12 while hitting the zone on 84 of 118 pitches. It was the Matadors’ first complete game of the season.

Christopher said the game plan was to pitch into the fifth inning.

“We’re on that last game, and Coach (Eddie Cornejo) said, ‘you got it, let’s ride,’” Christopher recalled. “Once I came in the eighth, I said, ‘let’s go.’ I can’t thank my boys enough. They were making plays all day. It was a grind. I’m really appreciative. Once we were cruising, they were like, ‘go and enjoy it.’ It’s my last game in college. A tough pill to swallow, but it’s a great way to go out.”

Last summer, Christopher transferred from Reinhardt University in Waleska, Ga. Reinhardt’s enrollment (1,120) is half the size of Friday night’s crowd. But Christopher said he was inspired by the Matadors’ fans who made the trip and a curveball he developed in Little League.

“As a kid, I started ripping it,” Christopher said of the curve.. “Thankfully, it plays pretty well when I need it. I have to keep fine-tuning it.”

The outcome had no bearing on the both teams’ plans. The ’Bows, who finished the regular season 27-22 overall and 16-14 in league play, already clinched the fourth seed in next week’s five-team Big West Tournament in Irvine, Calif. The ’Bows will be the “home” team against Cal State Fullerton, UC Davis or UC Irvine in Wednesday’s play-in game. The Matadors, who needed to sweep this three-game series to keep their postseason hopes alive, lost the first two games and were playing for pride on Friday night.

While UH coach Rich Hill said the goal was to win the regular-season finale, he also wanted to provide a sendoff in the 17 seniors’ final game at Murakami Stadium.

“That’s what this night was all about,” Hill said. “These seniors getting to experience playing at Les Murakami Stadium in front of their family, friends and the very loyal fans here. I’m glad they had an opportunity to do that tonight. … This venue is so special — for these guys to have an opportunity to do that, that’s what this night is all about.”

Ben Zeigler-Namoa, who returned for his fourth UH season, said: “I think that was the goal tonight. I mean, we obviously wanted to go out and compete and give our guys a chance, and look at our depth pieces, as well. It’s not too great to lose. But I’m grateful and happy I got to meet all these guys and coaching staff. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m happy we’re continuing it.”