UH-Hilo’s sixth win in seven tries was its most dramatic one yet.
Eric Peterson capped a three-run, ninth-inning rally with a single through the left side Friday night to score Casey Yamauchi, and Vulcans beat Minnesota Crookston 5-4 at Wong Stadium.
Yamauchi tied the game with a two-run double to right center, his second extra-base hit of the night. The only out of the inning came on Brett Komatsu’s sac bunt, which moved Lucas Sakay (walk) and Braydn Yoshida (single) into scoring position.
UHH’s fourth pitcher, left-hander Jacob Liberta (1-0), fired two scoreless innings, striking out three to finish a fine night from the bullpen. Ace Kyle Alcorn was touched for four runs in the third inning — Jake Hjelle cranked a three-run double — but Ty Honda came on to deliver three shutout innings, and Cody Hirata pitched a scoreless seventh.
Joe Gallagher got a run back in the fourth with a solo home run. In the bottom of the first started the way the ninth ended. Yamauchi led off triple and scored on Peterson’s hit.
The Vuls, who opened the six-game series with a 6-2 win Thursday night, and Crookston will play a 3 p.m. doubleheader Saturday.