HILO, Hawai'i– The UH Hilo baseball team picked up two well-played wins Saturday against the Minnesota Crookston Golden Eagles. The Vulcans capped the night with ANOTHER walk-off win when Lucas Sakay singled to right field, scoring Jaryn Kanbara at third, giving UHH the 2-1 win in the fourth game of the six-game series.
UHH took the opener today, 10-4. But the story for today is the Vulcans' ability to come back from behind and find a way to win even when the odds aren't in their favor.
The Vulcans (8-1 overall) were trailing the Golden Eagles (2-5 overall) after an UMC long ball in the second game of the day's twin bill (1-0).
One run may not seem like a notable deficit as the Vulcans have had the hot bats, but against Minnesota Crookston's Alex Koep was a different story. UMC's Koep threw 11 strikeouts in the first six innings, with the first six outs of the game being k's.
The resilient Vulcans' stepped up to the challenge and showed their heart, tying up the game in the fifth and knocking out the Golden Eagles' Keop in the sixth by working the count and executing situational hitting with runners in scoring position.
Kanbara set the tempo, singling to right center to begin the seventh. Bradyn Yoshida extended the inning with a bunt that was misplayed by the pitcher. Brett Komatsu then laid down another bunt towards the pitcher that landed in no man's land, allowing every Vulcan on bag to reach the next base safely.
One out passed, which brought up Sakay who then executed the game-winning hit to right field.
This great offensive performance was coupled by even better Vulcan pitching.
Aaron Davies threw six innings where he only allowed two hits and dismissed five batters. John Kea closed for Davies in the seventh, achieving a 1-2-3 inning where he struck out two batters.
Batting Highlights from Game One…Yamauchi (3-for-5), Eric Peterson (4-for-2), Joseph Gallagher (3-for-5), Bradyn Yoshida (2-for-4), Brett Komatsu (3-for-2).
Pitching Highlights from Game One…Eamon Velarde, Alden Norquist and Kea came in relief the first game. Velarde was awarded the win with 2.2 innings of good work. Norquist and Kea combined to close out the game with two scoreless innings. Norquist struck out three batters and Kea had another 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts to seal the game at 10-4.
The First Game was Over When…Gallagher squared up a two-run home run toward left center. Gallagher's no-doubter put the Vulcans' up 10-4 over the Golden Eagles.
Next Up…The Vulcans will play the last two games of the six-game series against Minnesota Crookston. The doubleheader will commence at 12pm HST with game two slated for 3:30pm HST.
