HILO, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Hilo Baseball split the first day of its final series of the season, taking a 10-6 win before falling 2-0 against Menlo in Pacific West Conference play Friday evening at the James "Jimmy" Correa Ballfield at Francis Wong Stadium.
The Vulcans capitalized on five defensive miscues by the Oaks, racking up 12 hits and plating seven unearned runs — five of them coming across in the fourth inning to turn a one-run game into a six-run advantage.
Cody Min brought across the eventual game-winning runs with a two-RBI double. The senior — one of 16 to be honored after Saturday's games — also drove in the Vulcans' first run of the game with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the first. Braeden Mondeau — moving over from shortstop to second base — batted 3 for 5 with an RBI, also in the fourth inning.
Logan Groff earned his fourth win of the season going 7.0 innings with six strikeouts and three runs allowed.
Game 2 was a tight affair despite the Vulcans giving up eight free passes to first base — seven walks and one hit-by-pitch. Both teams had just five hits each as the Oaks managed to plate a pair of runs for the shutout win.
Hawai'i Hilo moved to 10-31 in PacWest play (12-35 overall) as Menlo moved to a 9-33 conference record (11-37 overall). Both teams are slotted in at No. 11 and No. 12, respectively, in the conference standings. Westmont, Point Loma, HPU and Biola will be the four teams advancing to next week's PacWest Championships postseason tournament in Fresno, California.
SENIOR DAY: Sixteen departing players will be honored Saturday evening with the conclusion of the season-ending doubleheader — Kyle Casdaos, Mason Cook, Luke Dickson, Sebastian Garcia, Logan Groff, Reece Kadota, Noah Lane, Bryce Lindberg, Cody Min, John Navarro, Vance Oshiro, Ethan Salscheider, Arthur Soto, Sy Stephens, Tyrus Stephens, Chris Varljen
ENDING OF AN ERA: Prior to Saturday's doubleheader, a special recognition ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. to honor 12th-year head coach Kallen Miyataki for over 30 years of service to the Hawai'i Hilo Baseball program.
UP NEXT: Senior Day – Saturday, May 3 (NOON + 3 PM) vs Menlo (Hilo, Hawai'i / James "Jimmy" Correa Ballfield at Francis Wong Stadium)