UH-Hilo baseball narrowly drops season opener to Cal State LA
WAIPAHU, Oahu – The Vulcans capitalized with a three-run sixth inning to jump ahead, but the Golden Eagles later managed to string together five singles to plate three runs as the UH-Hilo Baseball team fell, 4-3, to Cal State Los Angeles Friday afternoon in its season opener as part of the Oahu Baseball Classic at the Patsy T. Mink Central Oahu Regional Park.
Chasing a run with the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, Mason Cook hit a grounder to shortstop to bring Cody Min in for the RBI. The throw to second base was dropped and the ball scattered away, allowing Arthur Soto to come across for the Vulcans’ second run. Cook later stole second base and the catcher’s throw sailed into center field, bringing Blake Tweedt in for the 3-1 lead.
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John Navarro was the fourth pitcher out of the Vulcans bullpen, entering at the top of the eighth inning. After battling back from a 2-0 count to strike out the leadoff batter, Navarro allowed a single before getting the second out on a popped up foul ball to first base.
Cal State LA seemed to be able to settle in as it managed to rattle off four consecutive base hits for three runs and a 4-3 advantage.
In the ensuing frame, UH-Hilo got the tying run to third base with two outs, but a full-count strike out ended the threat as the Golden Eagles ultimately held on for three more outs and the win.
Sophomore Matthew O’Brien got the start on the mound for the Vulcans, going 5.0 innings with one earned run and six strikeouts. Cody Hirata, Ty Honda, Sebastian Garcia also made appearances, combining for no hits and no runs allowed in 2.0 innings of work.
Blake Tweedt got the start in right field and recorded five putouts.
The Vulcans’ lone error of the game came on a failed pickoff attempt by O’Brien in the top of the fifth inning.
UH-Hilo’s season-opening starting lineup comprised of Bryce Tweedt (CF), Cody Min (DH), Arthur Soto (3B), Blake Tweedt (RF), Mason Cook (C), Trent Jackson (1B), Vance Oshiro (2B), Bradyn Yoshida (LF) and Kyle Casados (SS).
UH-Hilo moved to 0-1 overall (0-0 Pacific West Conference) while Cal State Los Angeles moved to a 1-0 record (0-0 California Collegiate Athletic Association).
UH-Hilo will match up with Cal State LA again on Sunday at 11 a.m.
The Vulcans will then return home for their home-opening slate with the Big Island Baseball Bash, Feb. 8-11, at Francis Wong Stadium taking on Saint Martin’s, HPU and Chaminade.
In the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association West Region Preseason Poll released Jan. 22, UH-Hilo came in at No. 10 on the list.
Other PacWest Conference teams to make the top 10 were Point Loma (No. 3), Azusa Pacific (No. 4) and Fresno Pacific (No. 7). Cal State San Bernardino was voted at the top.
In the PacWest Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, the Vulcans were voted to finish seventh.
