HPU trailed 7-1 going into the seventh inning
when the Sea Warriors brought eight runs across the plate thanks
to four hits, two walks, and three Vulcan errors.
Pitcher Josh Ervin earned the win after coming on in relief
and holding UH-Hilo to no hits and no runs in 2.1 innings
pitched.
Third baseman Kyle Stanley brought in three runs on two hits,
and left fielder Greg Benoit went 3-4 with two RBI.
HPU needed help from the bullpen in the first two games of
the series and got it from reliever Sean Paiva, the winning
pitcher
in both seven-inning games played as a doubleheader on Jan. 31
at Wong Stadium in Hilo. In the second game, the Sea Warriors
trailed UH-Hilo 4-1 going into the sixth inning when the offense
exploded for four runs on four hits. Paiva secured the 5-4 victory
by holding the Vulcans hitless and scoreless in the final 1.2
innings pitched. Right fielder Tyler Ward went 2-4 with 2 RBI.
Game 1 went into extra-innings with both teams tied at one
apiece. HPU broke the stalemate in the eighth, pounding out
seven hits
and scoring four runs en route to the 5-1 win. First baseman
Alika Kuraoka drove in two runs while designated hitter Ikaika
DuPont and second baseman Brandon Sato each had two hits.
The Sea Warriors took on Sonoma State University (Calif.) in
a six-game series Feb. 5-7 at Ke‘ehi Lagoon Field. Then,
on Feb. 17 against the University of Hawai‘i-Manoa at Les
Murakami Stadium, the Sea Warriors missed a golden opportunity
to upset in-state rival University of Hawai‘i-Manoa, losing
to the Rainbows 10-2. The Sea Warriors, now 5-5 on the season,
were held to five hits by UH starter Steven Wright who didn’t
allow a hit until the fifth inning.
The Rainbows beat up on the HPU pitching staff by pounding
out 12 hits and utilizing the sacrifice bunt to advance runners
into
scoring position. Sea Warrior starter Dave Zamarano (0-2) was
saddled with the loss after giving up three runs before being
relieved in the fourth.
First baseman Alika Kuraoka went 2-3 with a double while centerfielder
Geoffrey Say and designated hitter Ikaika DuPont each drove in
a run for HPU.
The game was the first for the Sea Warriors since winning two
of six games against ninth-ranked Sonoma St. University by scores
of 11-9 and 9-8 in a series played Feb. 5-7 at Ke‘ehi Lagoon
Park. The visiting Sea Wolves won the remaining games 5-3, 17-3,
9-2, and 14-10.
Next up for the Sea Warriors is last years’ NCAA Division
II championship game runner up, the University of Tampa, Florida.
The teams will match up for a six-game series beginning Mar.
6 at Aloha Stadium.
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