HILO, Hawai'i – In a battle of University of Hawai'i schools, the Division-II Hawai'i Hilo Baseball team fell to Division-I UH Manoa, 15-2, Wednesday evening in front of a packed Francis Wong Stadium.
Both teams had the score knotted up at one apiece through five complete innings of play — Matthew Miura walked then stole twice before scoring on a squeeze bunt by Jake Tsukada to get the Rainbow Warriors on the scoreboard in the second inning followed by Reece Kadota also walking and coming around to score on two wild pitches sandwiched around a failed pickoff attempt in the bottom of the third.
A total of 18 pitchers saw action, eight for the Rainbow Warriors and 11 for the Vulcans, as UH Manoa managed to open the scoring up in the sixth with a two-RBI double that was set up by two walks. On the evening, Hawai'i Hilo pitchers gave up 17 free passes to batters.
UH Manoa took advantage and managed to pour it on with eight of its 10 hits in the last three innings to plate 12 runs — seven of which came in the top of the ninth.
Tyrus Stephens got the start, going 2.0 innings with one strikeout, one hit and one earned run allowed. Patrick Atkinson was tagged with the loss in his first appearance of the season.
Freshman Mark Fedro also saw his first action of the season, making the start at third base and getting the Vulcans' first hit of the game with a lead-off single in the fifth inning.
This was the first matchup between the two UH schools since 2021 when they played three times. The last time the Rainbow Warriors made the trip to the Big Island was 2016.
University of Hawai'i president David Lassner threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
A SHINING TEAM
Members of the Hawai'i Hilo Softball team with Vulcans-Ziebart swag.
Wednesday night's game sponsor was Ziebart of Hilo, partnering with Hawai'i Hilo Athletics to distribute T-shirts and a special gameday rally towel to the first 250 attending fans.
Visit Ziebart of Hilo on Wiwoole street to protect your vehicles from rust and enhance your car cleaning experience.
UP NEXT
Hawai'i Hilo moved to 8-10 overall (1-3 Pacific West Conference) while UH Manoa moved to a 4-4 record (Big West Conference). The two teams will meet again on O'ahu for the Vulcans season finale, April 30, at Les Murakami Stadium.
The Vulcans return to conference action against Biola this weekend with doubleheaders March 1-2 starting 3 p.m. at Francis Wong Stadium. Friday's games include a Vulcan-branded Stadium Cup Giveaway.
SEASON TICKETS
Single-game and season tickets are now available to be purchased online through Hawai'i Hilo Vulcans Athletics' recently-launched online ticket platform in partnership with AudienceView Campus.
The 2024 slate features 25 home contests at Francis Wong Stadium with a package price of $120 for adults and $60 for seniors (ages 65-plus) and middle/high school students.
Both can be accessed at HiloAthletics.com/tickets.
VIDEO STREAM PACKAGES
The Hawai'i Hilo Baseball team will have 26 home games available to be viewed online in partnership with Out of the Sea Media Arts Inc.
Single-game viewing will be priced at $10 with a season-package offering of $195.
More information is available at HiloAthletics.com/LiveStream.
