HILO, Hawai'i – Casey Yamauchi provided early fireworks by capitalizing with a score on the base paths followed by a solo shot as the Vulcans shut out 15th-ranked Augustana, 4-0, Wednesday evening to open the 2023 season with a win at Francis Wong Stadium in non-conference play.
Five Vulcans pitchers played their parts in earning the victory by combining to allow just four hits and zero runs to go along with 11 strikeouts.
Christian DeJesus got the start and notched four strikeouts without a hit allowed in three innings of work — and thus, ineligible to be the winning pitcher on record — as Aaron Davies followed with three innings of his own to earn the win. Orlando Leon Jr., Christian Wood and Jake Liberta also did work on the mound to seal the shut-out victory.
"I thought the pitching did really well. I think we played up to our expectations," 10th-year Hawai'i Hilo head coach Kallen Miyataki said. "The biggest thing is for them to feel confident as we kept on playing. We had some shaky moments, but we need to learn to deal with the adversity and I think we'll be o.k."
The Vikings pitchers gave up just three free bases to Vulcans batters as Yamauchi was one of those beneficiaries right off the bat with a lead-off walk in the bottom of the first inning. After making his way to third base on a wild pitch, Yamauchi came home on a balk by Augustana pitcher Ryan Jares, who made a pick-off throw to an uncovered third base.
At his next at-bat in the third inning, Yamauchi went yard over the left field fence for a solo home run and the first of the fifth-year senior's career.
"It's been a while since he's shown any power," Miyataki joked. "But he showed it tonight. We talked before the game about staying within himself and not trying to compete with anybody else or anything, and apparently it worked. He's fun to watch."
In the fifth inning, Yamauchi beat out a dribbler to the second baseman for a hit, then after stealing second and getting a good jump on a subsequent pitch, freshman catcher Mason Cook drilled a liner to center field for the RBI.
After a lead-off single by Blake Tweedt in the sixth inning, Joshua Fuentes later added the Vulcans' fourth and final run with a two-out RBI ground-single up the middle.
Jake Liberta came on the mound in the top of the ninth with one out in relief of Christian Wood's scoreless 1-1/3 innings of work. After the senior loaded the bases with two walks and a single given up, Liberta stuck out the side to end the game and take the victory for the Vulcans.
By The Numbers
- Casey Yamauchi finished the day going 2 for 3 with one RBI, one home run, one walk, three runs scored and a stolen base with three putouts, four defensive assists and one turned double play to end the top of the eighth.
- The Vulcans pitchers overcame eight walks issued as they left 10 total runners stranded — twice with the bases loaded.
- Blake Tweedt and Bradyn Yoshida each recorded four putouts apiece in right and center field, respectively.
- Ragan Pinnow led the Vikings with a 2-for-4 day and four defensive assists, a putout and a turned double play at third base.
- Augustana starting pitcher Ryan Jares finished with a line of 4-2/3 innings and six strikeouts with three earned runs and two walks given up.
What's Next
Hawai'i Hilo improved to 1-0 overall, 0-0 PacWest while Augustana moved to an 0-1 record (0-0 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference).
The Vulcans and Vikings will continue its five-game series Thursday, Feb. 2 with another 6 p.m. start at Francis Wong Stadium.
The two teams will have a doubleheader Friday afternoon before concluding Saturday with a single game starting at noon.
