HILO, Hawai'i – Hawai'i Hilo Baseball swept Biola by scores of 14-12 and 16-4 on Thursday evening to claim the four-game series and cap a three-win week in Pacific West Conference action at the James "Jimmy" Correa Ballfield at Dr. Francis F.C. Wong Stadium.

The Vulcans found themselves in a familiar spot in Game 1, trailing 10-6 heading into the bottom of the eighth before stamping eight runs on the scoreboard — a rally that mirrored Wednesday's eight-run fifth inning comeback. Evan Merz delivered the go-ahead blow with a two-run double to center field as Hawai'i Hilo sent 12 batters to the plate in the frame.

Game 2 was an offensive statement from early on with nine runs in the bottom of the fourth — capped by a Merz grand slam — to blow the game open. Starter Noah Darnell held the fort with eight strikeouts in 5.2 innings.

NOTES

• Game 1: Biola 12 - Hawai'i Hilo 14
  • Biola jumped ahead with a Luke Caruso home run on the first pitch of the game. He later helped build a 10-6 lead with a three-run blast in the seventh.
  • The Vulcans answered in the bottom of the eighth aided by four hit-by-pitch, three walks and four wild pitches to push across six runs before Merz doubled to center for two more. Aaron Rapoza and Kawana Soares followed with RBI singles to complete the comeback.
  • Biola scored twice in the ninth but could not complete the comeback of their own.
  • Devin Meyer (2-0) earned his second career win in back-to-back games (2.0 IP).
  • Hawai'i Hilo batters reached base on four hit-by-pitches and six walks.
  • Ivor Brooks finished 2-for-4 with two RBI, three runs scored, one putout and two assists at shortstop.
  • Rapoza went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, three putouts and three assists at third base.
• Game 2: Biola 4 - Hawai'i Hilo 16 (7 inn.)
  • The Vulcans put it away in the fourth with nine runs. Austin Hays tripled to open the inning and scored on a Dom Agrella RBI single. Kolby Gushiken's bunt single, Brooks' RBI single and back-to-back walks built a bases-loaded situation before Merz cleared them with a grand slam to right field.
  • Biola pitchers issued eight walks, hit five batters and threw seven total wild pitches.
  • Darnell struck out eight batters over 5.2 innings to earn the win (1-3). Devin Hayashi closed out the final 1.1 innings.
  • Noah Nakaoka went 3-for-4 with a double, four RBI and three runs scored.
  • Hays went 3-for-4 with a triple and an RBI.
  • Gushiken went 3-for-5 with two runs scored.
• Hawai'i Hilo: 6-8 Overall (5-5 PacWest)
  • Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 11
  • Current Conference Standing: No. 8
• Biola: 12-12 Overall (8-8 PacWest)
  • La Mirada, California
  • Preseason Coaches Poll: No. 5
  • Current Conference Standing: No. 7

UP NEXT

• Monday, March 9 (3 PM + 6 PM) vs Vanguard (James "Jimmy" Correa Ballfield at Dr. Francis F.C. Wong Stadium)
• Tuesday, March 10 (3 PM + 6 PM) vs Vanguard (James "Jimmy" Correa Ballfield at Dr. Francis F.C. Wong Stadium)
• Saturday, March 14 (Doubleheader) at Azusa Pacific (Azusa, California)
• Monday, March 16 (Doubleheader) at Azusa Pacific (Azusa, California)
• Friday, March 20 (11 AM + 2 PM) at Fresno Pacific (Fresno, California)
• Saturday, March 21 (9 AM + NOON) at Fresno Pacific (Fresno, California)

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.