FRESNO, California – The Hawai'i Hilo Baseball team brought out the bats to claim the series-opening victory over Fresno Pacific but later saw its production reversed as the Vulcans split Friday's doubleheader with a 9-6 win before falling, 11-5, at the FPU Diamond.

The Vulcans totaled 13 hits in the Game-1 victory, bringing the game-winning runs across on a three-run homer from Bradyn Yoshida in the eighth inning.

FPU reversed course in the second game as it managed to finish with double-digit hits, including three home runs to even the series at one apiece.

GAME 1: HAWAI'I HILO 9 - FRESNO PACIFIC 6

• The Vulcans bashed out 13 hits to total double digits for the first time in the last seven games. Vance Oshiro, Mark Fedro, Cody Min, Bryce Lindberg and Bradyn Yoshida each pitched in a pair of hits.
• Yoshida helped get the Vulcans going with a lead-off double in the top of the third to set up Oshiro's RBI single for a 1-0 lead. Holding onto a one-run advantage going into the top of the eighth, Yoshida dropped the hammer with a three-run blast over the left-field wall — the first career home run for the fifth-year senior — to make it a 7-3 score.
• Hawai'i Hilo tacked on three more hits for three more runs in the ninth inning for some much-needed insurance. FPU managed to rally in the bottom half, starting with a base hit and an RBI double before clearing the bases with a home run to cut the score to 9-6. Jake Liberta entered onto the pitching mound with one out and a clean slate but three walks and a strikeout later set up a bases-loaded jam with the potential game-winning run at the plate. Instead, Liberta sent the batter down swinging on strike three to preserve the win and earn his third save of the season.
• Nick Agacki got the series-opening start, going 6.1 innings with three strikeouts for his first win of the season. Agacki allowed just three runs and five hits in overcoming eight free passes surrendered to batters (seven walks).

GAME 2: HAWAI'I HILO 5 - FRESNO PACIFIC 11 (7 INNINGS)

• Arthur Soto set up the Vulcans' first runs of the game with a two-out double in the fourth inning. Mason Cook followed up with a two-run shot out of the park. Soto later drove in a run with another two-out hit for an RBI in the top of the sixth.
• Soto finished with two doubles on the day, adding on to his early-hot-streak total of 12 on the season, currently ranking in a multi-way tie for No. 3 in all of the NCAA Division II.
• Fresno Pacific took advantage at the plate with six drawn walks to add on to 10 total hits — six of them for extra bases, including three home runs. Andrew Valdez went yard twice as Trent Mallonee managed a pair of doubles to combine for seven RBIs.

UP NEXT

Hawai'i Hilo moved to 12-16 overall (5-9 PacWest) while Fresno Pacific moved to a 7-7 conference record (11-9 overall). The two teams will match up again Saturday for another doubleheader.

The Vulcans will continue on to play Azusa Pacific (March 20-21) and Westmont (March 25-26).

Alumni Game will be Saturday, March 30 at 1 p.m. with the next home games set for April 13 against Chaminade.