Hilo, Hawaii – Although today's 17-inning double header started and ended on a bad note, the University of Hawaii at Hilo baseball team showed something special in losing the twinbill to 21st-ranked University of San Diego, 5-0 and 4-2.
"It's a never say die attitude,"
UHH head coach Joey Estrella said. "It doesn't matter how far this team is down, they're going to battle all the way."
The Vulcans (7-9) fell behind after the Toreros (11-7) jumped on two first-inning errors for a four-run lead in the first game. After adding a homerun in the second and starting pitcher Brian Matusz sitting down the first six batters in order, the Toreros seemed to be in command.
In the third and fourth inning, the Vulcans' lead-off batters got aboard but to no avail as they were two of six baserunners stranded on the base paths.
Joe Davis went the distance for the Vulcans giving up four earned runs on eight hits without a walk while striking our five.
Both teams scored in their half of game two's first inning. Nick McCoy's seventh inning RBI single broke the tie to give the Toreros the 2-1 lead.
Down to their last two outs,
A.J. Satele hammered Torero closer AJ Griffin's second offering high over the left field fence to knot the game.
With a Torero on first and one out in the 10th inning, the Vulcans elected to intentionally walk the next batter and take a gamble on one play.
"We think we made the right call by setting up for the double play," Estrella said. "We got the double play ball and it bounces over our shortstop for a base hit…what can you do?
"It's unfortunate we came out on the other end of today's decision but when you face a team like this that doesn't make many mistakes, I think it's imperative we play a perfect game."
James Meador collected his fourth hit of the game to generate the game winners.
On the Vulcans' rosters,
Ronel Trias, Keoni Manago and Satele paired hits.
Kekoa Lee had another good inning on the mound giving up just two runs on nine hits over seven innings with two walks and three strikeouts.
