HILO, Hawaii –The University of Hawaii at Hilo opened Pacific West Conference play with a doubleheader split as they beat Concordia University 7-4 then fell 5-2 at Wong Stadium.
One big inning was the turning point in each game. The Vulcans (2-2 overall, 1-1 PacWest) trailed 3-1 when they turned in a five-run fourth inning in game one.
Jonathan Segovia's 2-run single and
Jacob Grijalva's 2-run double gave the Vulcans the tie and lead. Two batters later,
Nate Green's drive to left was enough for Grijalva to score. The Vulcans would add the final run in the eighth as Segovia put down the bunt to score
Michael Jenkerson.
Green tallied three of the Vulcans' 10 hits and drove in a run. Segovia and
Sean Nearhoof each paired hits while Segovia and Grijalva talled two RBI each.
David Moody evened his season record to 1-1 with the win. Over six innings, the senior gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five.
Eric Vega picked up the save with a 2-hit shutout over three innings.
Tino Leite,
Hunter Holland and
Kellen Richards each picked up two of the Eagles' nine hits.
The Eagles (2-5, 2-4) led 2-0 when a 3-run eighth widened the gap. In the bottom of the frame, the Vulcans mounted an offensive. With runners on first and second,
Jaron Manago drove in run on a double down the left field line. Two pitches later,
Kyle Yamada scored on a wild pitch.
Yamada picked up two of the Vulcans' seven hits in the game.
Jordan Kurokawa (1-1) took the loss with an 8-hit, 6-strikeout performance over six innings giving up two runs and three walks.
Joey Thompson picked up three of the Eagles' 11 hits while
John Bornhop, Holland and
Brian Fleischli paired hits.
The series concludes with a 4 p.m. doubleheader on Wednesday, March 2 at Wong Stadium.
LINKS: Game one – UH Hilo 7, Concordia 4Game two – Concordia 5, UH Hilo 2
