IRVINE, California – Hawai'i Hilo Baseball tagged a season-high 15 total hits to earn a series-opening 12-2 mercy-rule victory over CUI before falling in the final three contests (8-4, 7-6 and 5-3) in Pacific West Conference play at the Golden Eagles Field.
The Vulcans opening win was the first time they claimed a victory via the 10-run mercy rule since it was first implemented for PacWest play starting with the 2023 season. Nate Gray Jr. and Cody Min both totaled three hits each, highlighted by Min's grand slam in the top of the fifth inning. Gray Jr. got the scoring started with an RBI double in the opening frame. Braeden Mondeau drove in five runs with a sacrifice fly, a two-RBI double and a two-RBI single.
Logan Groff earned his third win of the season, going the whole distance with four strikeouts while allowing six hits.
CUI managed to take the remaining three games of the series, snatching victory from the jaws of defeat in Game 3 as the Golden Eagles plated four runs in their final at-bat for a 7-6 walk-off win.
Tui Ickes batted 4 for 4 in the series finale, helping drive in the opening score on a base hit in the top of the second.
Hawai'i Hilo moved to 8-27 in PacWest play (10-31 overall) as Concordia moved to a 19-21 conference record (21-23 overall).
UP NEXT: Friday, April 25 (NOON PT + 3 PM PT) vs Biola (La Mirada, California / BU Eagles Diamond)