HILO, Hawai'i–The UH Hilo baseball team came out strong against Hawai'i Pacific picking up a 10-7 win over their inner-island rival in their senior weekend.
The Vulcans and Sharks were rained out on Friday night, reducing their five-game series to four.
UH Hilo (23-13, 12-11 PacWest Conference) scored all 10 runs over Hawai'i Pacific (17-17, 11-12 PacWest) in the first five innings.
Joe Gallgher kickstarted the game with a two-run bomb over leftcenter (2-0).
Casey Yamauchi scored in the second inning off a center fielder error which increased UHH's lead 3-0. Jaryn Kanbara followed Gallagher's example with a two-run homer of his own that furthered the gap (5-0). Seniors Kanbara and Gallagher are tied for the most home runs on the team with five apiece.
The Vulcans then unleashed a four-run fourth frame that would later prove to be crucial insurance runs. Gallagher and Kanbara once again delivered the one-two punch with back-to-back singles. Kanbara's base knock produced the first run of the inning (6-0). A sacrifice fly by Ryan Cho sent Gallagher home (7-0). Two more singles by Lucas Sakay and Bradyn Yoshida accounted for the Vulcans final two runs of the inning (9-0).
The Red and Black would score one more run in the fifth. Gallagher brought home Casey Yamauchi with a sacrifice fly (10-0).
Hawai'i Pacific put up a late fight scoring runs in the sixth, eighth, and ninth innings (10-7). Ultimately, the Vulcans held down their win with tough defense.
Kyle Alcorn started the game and went six scoreless innings in his senior debut. Alcorn only allowed four runs in the sixth inning. The sixth-year senior struck out three batters in his last start at Wong Stadium.
Emon Velarde and Ty Honda came in relief, but it was fifth-year senior John Kea who secured the save. Kea entered the game with two outs and bases loaded and only allowed one additional run to score before he closed the game out 10-7. Kea picked up his tenth save of the season.
