ATHERTON, California – Hawai'i Hilo Baseball split Saturday's twinbill series finale against Menlo with a 12-3 win and a 7-1 defeat in Pacific West Conference play at Cartan Field.
The Vulcans open the PacWest Conference season even at a 2-2 record.
Hawai'i Hilo rapped out 16 total hits in Game 1, the most in a single outing since tallying 17 hits in March 2024 in a one-run loss vs Azusa Pacific. Hunter Gatti batted 2 for 3 with two RBI and two runs scored while drawing a walk, a hit-by-pitch and collecting five putouts in left field.
The second matchup of the doubleheader saw the Vulcans contained to just two hits while committing four defensive errors (accounting for five unearned runs).
GAME NOTES
- Game 1: Hawai'i Hilo 12 - Menlo 3
- Aaron Rapoza totaled three RBI on two hits and had two stolen bases.
- Paxton Fenberg was the starting pitcher for the Vulcans, going 5.0 innings and giving up just three hits, two runs and one walk while striking out four batters. Nine of his 11 induced in-play outs were pop ups.
- Michael Bonenfant, Orlando Leon Jr. and Blake Saucedo all pitched in relief duty.
- Freshman Ivor Brooks went yard for the first time in his career, knocking a lead-off homer in the top of the sixth.
- Former Vulcan Noah Pang brought in two of the Oaks' three runs with an RBI and a run scored on a wild pitch.
- Game 2: Hawai'i Hilo 1 - Menlo 7 (7 inn.)
- Moosa Nonomiya got the start on the pitching bump for the Vulcans, going 4.0 innings with eight hits and four runs (two unearned) allowed while tallying four strikeouts. Logan Sanchez tossed the final two innings, giving up three unearned runs.
- Menlo starting pitcher Nolan Rodriguez went 5.0 innings with five strikeouts and allowing two hits and one unearned run.
- Rapoza had one of the Vulcans' two hits, getting on with two outs in the top of the second to help lead to the lone score of the game — Colby Rafail scored on a wild pitch. Brooks had Hawai'i Hilo's other hit with a single in the top of the fifth.
- Hawai'i Hilo: 3-5 Overall (2-2 PacWest)
- Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 11
- Current Conference Standing: T6
- Menlo: 4-3 Overall (2-2 PacWest)
- Atherton, California
- Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 12
- Current Conference Standing: T6
UP NEXT
- Wednesday, Feb. 18 (10 AM / NOON PT) vs Jessup (Lincoln, California)
- Wednesday, Feb. 18 (1:30 PM / 3:30 PM PT) vs Jessup (Lincoln, California)
- Thursday, Feb. 19 (10 AM / NOON PT) vs Jessup (Lincoln, California)
- Thursday, Feb. 19 (1:30 PM / 3:30 PM PT) vs Jessup (Lincoln, California)
- Friday, Feb. 27 (6 PM) vs Chuo (James "Jimmy" Correa Ballfield at Dr. Francis F.C. Wong Stadium)
- Saturday, Feb. 28 (5 PM) vs Chuo (James "Jimmy" Correa Ballfield at Dr. Francis F.C. Wong Stadium)
PACWEST PRESEASON POLL
Hawai'i Hilo was voted No. 11 in the Pacific West Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. The Vulcans finished the 2025 regular season at No. 11 in the conference standings. The four-team 2026 PacWest Championships postseason tournament will be hosted by Westmont on May 6-8 in Santa Barbara, California.
PURCHASE TICKETS
Season and individual tickets for the Vulcans' 27 home matches at the James "Jimmy" Correa Ballfield at Dr. Francis F.C. Wong Stadium are available for purchase at HiloAthletics.com/tickets. Season tickets are $115 ($60 for seniors 65+ and middle/high school students).
BUY LIVESTREAM PACKAGE
Video livestreaming will be available for all home events this season through the PacWest Network, powered by Hudl TV. More information is available at HiloAthletics.com/livestream. Single-game passes for baseball are offered at $15, doubleheader day passes at $26.25 and a season-package (27 games) price of $303.75.
