Pitching, timely baserunning lift UH over UC Irvine
On a dry but wild Saturday night, the Hawaii baseball team made the most of limited opportunities to cobble a 3-0 victory over UC Irvine at Les Murakami. A crowd announced as a sellout — there were 2,819 through the turnstiles — saw third baseman Tate Shimao score twice on wild pitches to help the Rainbow Warriors clinch this three-game series. Entering this Big West showdown, the Anteaters had won nine in a row against the ’Bows and taken every series since 2019.
But the ’Bows pounded out 16 hits in Friday’s 14-6 rout, then followed with Saturday’s dominant pitching and timely baserunning. The first pitch for today’s finale is set for 1:05 p. m.
Right-hander Hekili Robello pitched a two-hitter over six scoreless innings to improve to 6-2. The ’Bows are 18-13 overall and 8-9 in the Big West. They are in sole possession of sixth place.
The top five teams qualify for the Big West Tournament. “It feels good,” Robello said, “but we still have a job to do. ” With runners on first and second with one out in the second, Robello struck out the next two batters.
With an Anteater on second with one out in the third, Robello induced back-to-back flyouts. “I just want to compete, do whatever it takes to win,” said Robello, who redshirted last season after transferring from Santa Rosa College. “I was locating, getting outs.
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