WAIPAHU, HI (April 7, 2013) – The Hawai'i Pacific Baseball Team (24-14) swept a non-conference doubleheader against UH-Hilo (8-31-1) by 10-7 and 9-6 scores. It was the final time HPU would face Hilo Head Coach Joey Estrella who is retiring after 36 years at the helm of the Vulcans.  

Game one featured a great comeback by HPU, but the situation looked bleak early. UHH would strike for two runs in the first, third, and sixth innings.

HPU got its first hit in the fifth inning, and it was a big one, an RBI double by Derek Nakasato that scored Jordan Oshiro who was previously hit by a pitch.

Down 6-1 in the bottom of the sixth, HPU erupted for six runs. With the bases loaded and two outs, Wade Tamaru hammered a double to left center that scored three runs and made it a two-run game. Tamaru moved to third on a wild pitch, and would score a few pitches later on another wild pitch. Oshiro walked and then moved to third on a single by Nakasato. Tyler Tokunaga would then tie the game with a RBI single. Marvin Campbell drew a walk to reload the bases for Kale Sumner, who reached on an error by the third baseman, in the process, HPU took a 7-6 lead.

HPU and UHH traded runs in the bottom of the seventh and in the top of the eighth innings.    

In the bottom of the eighth, the Sea Warriors added two insurance runs courtesy of a balk and a RBI double from Codey Ellenwood.

The Sea Warrior bullpen was huge. Tre Haliburton-Goeas earned his second save in as many days after throwing a perfect ninth inning. Bryson Gauthe picked up the win while working two-thirds of a scoreless inning. John Albert also threw a hitless inning in relief.

Nakasato and Tokunaga each had two hits to lead the HPU offense.

The Vulcans outhit HPU 14-8, but had three fewer runs. HPU benefited from 10 free passes (7 BB, 3 HBP) and three Vulcan errors.

The HPU bats stayed hot on a sunny day at Hans L'Orange Park for game two. HPU got three runs in the first inning on a two RBI double by Sumner and a RBI triple from Chad Bolibol.

UHH drew to within one with two runs in the third, but HPU added three more in the bottom of the frame. Bolibol got another RBI on a single to left field; he would later score on a balk.

HPU made it an 8-2 game in the fourth with two more runs on just one hit.

The Vulcans outscored HPU 4-1 in the fifth and sixth innings to make things interesting. The sole Sea Warrior run came on a Tokunaga RBI hit.

With the game now a save situation, HPU turned to Bobby Jackson who set the Vulcans down in order for his first save.

Starter Nick Woodward pitched four innings, giving up two runs on two hits to get his third win. Matthew Minnich and Nolan Hoppie each threw an inning without giving up any earned runs.

Doi and Bolibol led HPU at the plate with two hits each.

HPU will host Academy of Art for doubleheaders on April 16th and 17th both at 4:00 PM and both at Hans L'Orange Park.

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score