Nothing like a five-run first inning to help UH-Hilo’s baseball team put its last series behind it.
Kobie Russell hit a three-run home run Thursday, Kyle Alcorn pitched five innings, and the Vulcans stole six bases and held on to beat Academy of Art to start a four-game series at Wong Stadium.
Russell collected two of UHH’s five extra base-hits, also doubling.
The Vuls (11-15, 9-10 Pacific West Conference) stopped a four-game slide, quickly erasing any lingering memories of getting swept at Azusa Pacific last weekend.
Kyle Yamada led off the bottom of the first with a double, Dylan Sugimoto walked and RJ Romo singled in a run before Russell hit his second home run of the season.
Alcorn (3-3) struck out three and walked three, giving up a two-run single to Angel Mora that cut the lead to 5-3.
Batting eighth for UHH, Rustin Ho hit an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth and was 2 for 2 with two walks and two stolen bases.
Kamalu Neal hit a two-run single in the sixth to make it 8-3.
Brandyn Lee-Lehano provided three innings of relief and didn’t walk a batter. Lee-Lehano hit the leadoff batter in the eighth and saw him come around to score. He was touched for three singles and a strikeout.
Kekai Mahiko started the ninth, but after an error, Zak May hit a two-run home run. Mahiko struck out the next batter, then John Kea came on and struck out two batters.
May’s homer was the only extra-base hit for the last-place Urban Knights (12-11, 4-8). Senior outfielder Thomas Delgadillo went 3 for 5 for his ninth multihit game and third three-hit game.
The teams play another 6 p.m. contest Friday and then a 3 p.m. doubleheader Saturday.