Lacey, Wash. – Playing to their strength, the University of Hawaii at Hilo baseball team played small ball as they beat St. Martin's University 10-7 at Saints' Field.

"We got out early again," UHH baseball coach Joey Estrella said. "We had a 10-1 team and just hung on. Once we had the 10 run lead we felt comfortable with what we were trying to do."

Ronel Trias' game-opening double got the Vulcans rolling with a 3-run, 4-hit first inning. Two batters later, Michael Higa picked up the RBI on an infield single. After a wild pitch, Keoni Manago scored on Dayne Ogawa's ground out. Peter Rodgers followed with a single to drive in Higa.

Five singles in the fourth produced five runs. After Trias walked, Manago singled to put runners on the corners. Consecutive singles by Higa, A.J. Satele and Ogawa produced three runs. Hit by a pitch, Matt Haasenritter loaded the bases. Shane Kessel followed with a 2-run single.


A pair of errors gave the Saints (12-12) a run in the fourth.

With Trias and Manago once again on base, Higa singled in a run and Satele lifted a sacrifice fly to end the Vulcans (8-14) scoring.

Higa made the best of his first appearance, although it was a short one, with a 3 for 4, 3 RBI performance.

"He played the first five innings then felt a little tired and we took him out," Estrella said.

Higa didn't play in the 3-game series with the University of Washington in which the Vulcans (8-14) were able to jump out to leads but unable to shut the Huskies down.

Also with three hits was Manago who was 3 for 5 and scored three runs. Satele and Kessel had two hits each.