AZUSA, Calif.--The UH Hilo baseball team dropped a close 3-2 loss to Azusa Pacific at the Cougar Baseball Complex.
 
A three-run fourth inning proved to be the difference maker in the Vulcans (27-17, 15-15 PacWest) 3-2 loss to the No. 21 Cougars (30-14, 19-7 PacWest). APU's Casey Dystra blasted a three-run homer to give his team the 3-0 advantage. 
 
The Vulcans were held silent on the scoreboard until the seventh and eighth innings where they scored a run per frame.  
 
Back-to-back doubles by Jaryn Kanbara and Kekaulike Kalua scored UHH's first run (3-1).
 
In the eighth, Casey Yamauchi worked a walk and was advanced to second by a Lucas Sakay single. Joseph Gallagher followed with a single up the middle making the score 3-2. 
 
Despite a good Vulcan effort Azusa Pacific managed to hold UHH 3-2 in the ninth, forcing a split for Wednesday's doubleheader. 
 
Christain DeJesus threw 6.2 innings where he gave up six hits, three runs and tossed four strikeouts. Jacob Liberta closed, striking out four batters in 1.1 innings of work.
 
The Vulcans and Cougars will go at it again tomorrow Thursday, Apr. 28 at 11am and 2:30pm HT - UHH's final regular season doubleheader.
 
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