In some circles, any conference road win – no matter the opponent and no matter the circumstances – is a good win.
That left UH-Hilo’s baseball team twice as content.
The Vulcans head home just four games under .500 with six to play after completing a sweep at Holy Names in a series in which all four contests in Alameda, Calif., were decided by one run.
In the second game off Saturday’s doubleheader, a 2-1 win, freshman Travis Burleson (4-5) came within one out of his first shutout, settling for a six-hitter in which he struck out eight and walked only two.
Phillip Steering’s RBI single in the fifth gave UHH (19-23, 15-19 Pacific West Conference), which has won five in a row, a 2-0 lead in the fifth after Mana Manago drew a bases-loaded walk in the fourth.
In the opener, a 6-5 win, the Vuls scored three runs in the second inning and one more in the third to tally a 4-0 lead. RJ Romo had a double to start the second, scoring on Manago’s single, and Edo Sakata and Kila Zuttermeister also had hits in the inning and the Hawks (10-36, 6-30) helped the cause with an error. In the third inning, Steering doubled and stole third base and scored on Edwin Stanberry’s sacrifice fly.
Drew Ichikawa (2-1) earned the win, giving up two runs in 3 2/3 innings in relief of Kyle Alcorn, and John Kea pitched two innings for his ninth save.
Kyle Yamada, Romo and Sakata all finished with two hits.
UHH’s remaining games are against Hawaii Pacific, including three at Wong Stadium in a series that starts with a 3 p.m. doubleheader Saturday.
‘Bows lose
Cal State Northridge’s Matt Acosta pitched a five-hitter in Sunday’s ‘s 2-0 baseball victory over Hawaii at Les Murakami Stadium in Honolulu.
The Matadors won two of three in this Big West series to improve to 19-24 and 7-8 in the league. The Rainbow Warriors, who were shut out for the second Sunday in a row, have lost consecutive series. The ‘Bows are 22-17 and 8-7.
It was a lost weekend for the ‘Bows, whose projected starting pitcher was scratched for the second consecutive game.
On Saturday, Neil Uskali felt tenderness in his right (pitching) arm and was held out. Today, it was left-hander Dominic DeMiero, who was scratched after experiencing tenderness in his pitching arm while warming in the bullpen. Logan Pouelsen also was unavailable to pitch because of arm tenderness. Trapasso said the three pitchers will be evaluated Monday to determine their availability for the coming weekend’s series against Cal Poly.