May 16, 2008

HONOLULU, Hawai`i - Kevin Arendse became the first Utah Valley player in nearly a year to hit two home runs in a game and Dan Christensen tossed a complete game in his final start as the Wolverines won the series opener, 5-1, at Hawai`i on Thursday night.

Christensen (2-7) allowed eight scattered hits in throwing the third complete game of his senior season.

"It's a great way to go out...end it on a high note," said Christensen. "It was great to have my teammates playing so well behind me."

Arendse's home runs, his third and fourth of the season, were both towering, solo shots to straightaway center in a difficult park (Les Murakami Stadium) to hit home runs in.

The last Utah Valley player to hit two home runs in a game was Derrick Thomas on May 23, 2007 against North Dakota State.

The first Arendse blast came in the top of the second in a scoreless game before the Rainbows (26-28) tied it in the bottom of the second on a bases loaded walk to Vinnie Catricala.

Arendse broke the tie with the home run over the wall in center in the top of the sixth.

Meanwhile, Christensen dodged early trouble, stranding nine Hawai`i baserunners over the first four innings before retiring 13 of the final 15 hitters he faced.

The Wolverines (16-35-1) added three runs in the eighth to give Christensen some insurance before the senior threw a perfect ninth to close out game one.

With first base open and Scott Croshaw at second, Arendse was intentionally walked before Adam Openshaw, Jake Rickenbach and Tyler Garretson all had RBI singles.

Hawai`i starter Nicholas Rhodes (4-6) was tagged with five earned runs on 11 hits in seven and 1/3 innings and took the loss.

Game two of the series is scheduled for Friday night at 10:35 p.m. MT, 6:35 p.m. in Hawai`i. Aaron Brady will get his final start on the mound for Utah Valley.