HILO, Hawai'i – The Vulcans clutched two more wins to clinch the season-opening series victory over No. 15 Augustana with scores of 9-6 and 3-1 Friday afternoon in non-conference play at Francis Wong Stadium.
Game No. 1 was highlighted by a six-hit seven-run outpouring of offense from the Vulcans in the bottom of the fourth inning, which was both started and capped by Alec Yamauchi's lead-off double and a later two-RBI single.
Game No. 2's winning runs were also provided by none other than Alec Yamauchi as the sophomore transfer drove a hard single up the middle to score Casey Yamauchi and Cody Min from third and second base, respectively.
Both contests were also closed out by senior Jake Liberta to earn two saves on the pitching mound.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Bradyn Yoshida also combined for a three-hit day, sparking both game-winning innings as the redshirt senior followed up Alec Yamauchi's game-one two-base knock with a two-RBI double and later led off game two's fifth inning with a single.
- Casey Yamauchi totaled four hits on the evening with two steals, three runs, six putouts and six assists while turning two double plays.
- Trent Jackson continued where he left off the previous night to drive in the Vulcans' first runs with a sacrifice fly to left field as a throwing error on the relay brought another score across the plate.
- A total of four runs from either side have now been scored because of a balk by the pitcher.
WHAT'S NEXT
Hawai'i Hilo improved to 4-0 overall, 0-0 PacWest while Augustana moved to an 0-4 record (0-0 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference).
The Vulcans and Vikings conclude their five-game series Saturday, Feb. 4 with a noon start at Francis Wong Stadium.
Hawai'i HIlo will then prepare for Northwest Nazarene (0-2 overall) out of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference. The Nighthawks were GNAC co-regular season champs a year ago and have opened the 2023 season with narrow losses to Point Loma Nazarene.
