The University of Hawaii at Hilo used a late-inning rally to beat Grand Canyon University 6-1 in the first game of a Pacific West Conference doubleheader then was handcuffed in the 9-1 second game loss.
The Vulcans improved to 6-3 overall and 3-1 in the PacWest while the Antelopes are 4-9 overall and 1-3 in the PacWest.
Zachary Hamasaki's third-inning RBI single gave the Vulcans a slim lead in the first game which the Antelopes tied in the next frame on a sacrifice fly.
The Vulcans came to life with a 5-run, 4-hit outburst in the 8th inning. A two-run double by Daniel Hennigs started the scoring. Then a bases-loaded wild pitch and singles by Bryan Patterson and Cade Uyetake scored a run each.
Ronnie Loeffler picked up his first win of the season with the complete game 3-hitter. He walked four and struck out six over nine innings.
Hamasaki and Johnathan James paired hits for the Vulcans.
Just as fast as the scoring started it ended as Colin Courtland stymied the Vulcans in game two.
"All the credit has to go to Courtland," said UHH Head Coach Joey Estrella. "We were swinging the bats pretty good and he kept us off balance.
"The whole ball of wax is that Courtland pitched well. It didn't matter how many runs we gave up if we can only score one run off of him."
Over the course of seven innings, the Vulcans were held to six hits and an RBI single by Keoni Manago.
Hamasaki again paired hits.
