HILO, Hawai`i—UH Hilo used two different kinds of home runs, lots of hits and a standout pitching performance from
Christian Sadler to pin a 7-1 loss on Fresno Pacific under the lights on Friday night at Wong Stadium.
Kobie Russell hit a no-doubter over the right field fence and
John Bicos hit an inside-the-park round tripper to help the Vulcans win their second straight over the Sunbirds. Sadler posted excellent numbers to pick up his first win of the year (1-2) and the Vulcan offense tagged 12 base hits on the day.
UH Hilo improved to 6-9 on the season and they are now 4-4 in the Pacific West Conference. Fresno Pacific dropped to 5-10 in 2019 and they are 2-4 in the PacWest.
Sadler was close to dominant over seven innings, allowing only five hits, one run and no walks, while also fanning a career-high nine Sunbirds. He didn't give up a hit until the third inning, which is when FPU scored their only run. Three of their of five hits (all singles) came in that inning, including a bloop base hit between Sadler and second base.
Meanwhile, the Vulcans had hits in nearly every inning, and scored runs in the first, second, fifth, sixth and seventh innings. In the seventh, they had five consecutive singles, all in the same spot between first and second base.
RJ Romo had a two-run single to highlight the outburst.
Bicos had his sprint around the bases in the second inning, after blasting a shot over the centerfielder's head. Russell's blast sailed deep over the right field fence in the sixth. Both were solo shots.
Russell had three hits on the day (3-for-4), while Romo,
Kyle Yamada and
Casey Yamauchi had two base hits each. After Sadler's effort,
Brandyn Lee-Lehano pitched a perfect eighth inning with two strikeouts, and
Kekai Mahiko pitched a scoreless ninth.
Brian Hefner had two of FPU's seven hits.
The Vulcans and Sunbirds will wrap up their four-game series on Saturday with a 3 pm doubleheader.