Rainbows roll by UC Riverside to maintain playoff position
In a hana hou that was nearly as efficient as the previous night’s performance, the Hawaii baseball team rolled to a 9-1 victory over UC Riverside on Saturday at Les Murakami Stadium. A crowd announced as a sellout — there were 2,584 through the turnstiles — saw the Rainbow Warriors win the first two to clinch this three-game, Big West series. The ’Bows improved to 23-19 overall and 12-11 in the Big West, maintaining fifth place.
The top five teams qualify for the Big West Tournament. The Highlanders fell to 14-31 and 9-14. On Friday night, Isaiah Magdaleno pitched a one-hitter while striking out 16, and Mana Lau Kong drove in the game’s only run.
On Saturday, right-hander Hekili Robello allowed a run and three hits in eight innings, and Lau Kong provided a large share of the offense. After relinquishing a run and two hits in a 27-pitch first inning, Robello settled down, allowing only one hit the next seven innings. He retired 11 in a row during a stretch through the fourth inning.
Robello’s 113 pitches — 77 for strikes — were one short of matching a season high. “First (inning) was a little shaky, but I just had to compete,” said Robello, a Hilo High graduate who redshirted last season after transferring from Santa Rosa College. “I played freely.
… I was really focused on getting outs. That was the main thing. ” UH pitching coach Keith Zuniga said Robello built his strategy off a multi-directional fastball.