HONOLULU – Coming off a four game sweep of Illinois State last week, the University of Hawai'i baseball team (12-6) is back at Les Murakami Stadium for the final non-conference homestand, hosting Seton Hall (7-9-1) in a four-game set, Friday-Monday, March 23-26.
 
Receiving votes in the latest USA Today Coaches poll and the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association poll, Hawai'i is off to its best 18-game start since the 2012 season and holds the top record in the Big West. With the strong start, the UH RPI (Ratings Percentage Index) ranking has risen to 43rd nationally, topping all Big West schools.
 
Not new to the rankings for the 2018 Rainbow Warriors, the team's 2.81 ERA remains in the nation's top tier, coming in at 23rd, paced by junior Jackson Rees' 54th-best 1.42. Out of the rotation last week, Rees' status was uncertain to start the week, but he'll be back in his normal No. 1 spot vs. Seton Hall. Stepping seamlessly into his role as opening starter last week, freshman Cade Smith went 6.1 three-hit innings in his debut start, holding a 1.26 ERA and 1-1 record on the year. Left-hander Dominic DeMiero (4.03 ERA, 1-1, 18 SO) and right-hander Neil Uskali (4.28 ERA, 3-1, 17 SO) project to hold the middle of the rotation versus the Pirates. The Rainbow Warrior pitching staff has held the opposition to just 3.4 runs per game. Meanwhile, sophomore closer Dylan Thomas has a 1-0 record, a 1.80 ERA and an NCAA 18th-best five saves.
 
Redshirt senior Chayce Ka'aua made a big splash against ILSU, hitting .462 (6-for-13) with six RBI and two runs to earn Big West Player of the Week. Ka'aua is batting .302 with nine RBI on the year. Sophomore right fielder Adam Fogel continues his leadership role in 2018, pacing the team with a .333 average and team highs of 21 hits, 10 doubles, 10 RBI and 13 runs, logging a .447 on-base percentage. 
 
Fresh off getting snowed out at home, the Seton Hall Pirates came out of Stillwater, Okla. with a win and a tie against Oklahoma State. The Pirates bat .248 as a team, but leading the way is senior second baseman Rob Dadona, who hits .315 with seven RBI and six runs. Junior designated hitter Sebastiano Santorelli leads the team with 11 RBI and seven runs on a .292 average, while catcher Mike Alescio paces the team with 15 runs on a .298 average. The Pirates are scoring 5.0 runs on average with 8.2 hits per game.
 
On the mound, Seton Hall has a 5.43 team ERA with right-handed starters Shane McCarthy (4.88 ERA, 1-3, 14 SO) and Andrew Politi (9.64 ERA, 0-4, 20 SO) consuming most of the innings as the only pitchers with five starts. Right-hander Ricky DeVito (2.51 ERA, 1-0, 16 SO) also has three starts for the Pirates. Seton Hall is allowing 6.8 runs and 8.4 hits per game.
 
For the third consecutive week, the Rainbow Warriors are facing an opponent for the first time, also meeting a Big East program for the first time since 2001 when UH delivered a 2-1 series win over the Cardinals. Hawai'i holds a 13-4 program mark against the Big East and 7-1 record against current league schools, last facing Creighton in 1991.
 
Closing the home portion of the non-conference schedule on the Pirates, the Rainbow Warriors will head out on the road for seven games and back-to-back Big West series. UC Irvine (10-8) will host the 'Bows' conference-opening series after facing Southern Illinois this weekend.
 
University of Hawai'i Games 19-22
What: Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (12-6) vs. Seton Hall Pirates (7-9-1)
When:  Friday, March 23, 6:35 p.m. HT
             Saturday, March 24, 6:35 p.m. HT
             Sunday, March 25, 1:05 p.m. HT
             Monday, March 26, 6:35 p.m. HT
Where: Honolulu, O'ahu (Les Murakami Stadium)
Television: The first two games of the series (Friday-Saturday) will be televised on Spectrum Sports
Live Video Streaming: BigWest.tv
Radio: All games will be broadcast live on the radio. Saturday and Monday's games will air on ESPN Honolulu 1420 AM, while Friday and Sunday will appear on NBC Sports 1500 AM. Neighbor islands can listen Saturday and Monday live on KNUI on Maui, KHLO in Hilo, KKON in Kona and KTOH on Kaua'i.
Audio Webcast: www.ESPN1420am.com | www.NBCSportsRadioHawaii.com
Live Stats: Live in-game stats will be provided by Hawai'i Athletics throughout the series at the links listed below.

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Promotions: Fantastic Sams Hair Salons is the series sponsor and will be giving away great prizes each day.   Friday's contest will be followed by an autograph session on the field. Little League teams or groups that have purchased a group rate ticket package are invited onto the field to stand alongside the UH baseball players for the National Anthem & Hawaii Pono'i prior to Saturday's game (Check-in 30 min. prior to first pitch on Saturday near the Big West Conference logo on the ground level). Sunday Funday (Mar. 25): Ticket Package 1 - $25 for family of four (two adults and two youth); Ticket Package 2 - $40 (four adults). Each ticket package includes four (4) upper level tickets, four (4) hot dogs, and four (4) bottle soda/water (while supplies last). Tickets can be purchased online, calling 944-2697 (option 2), walking up to the Les Murakami Stadium on game day or in advance at the Stan Sheriff Center Box Office.