Game Notes
HONOLULU – With half of the Western Athletic Conference season in the books, the University of Hawai'i baseball team begins its stretch run hosting a three-game set against conference-leading New Mexico State. The Rainbows and Aggies will play Thursday, May 3 (6:35 p.m.), Friday, May 4 (6:35 p.m.), and Saturday, May 5 (6:35 p.m.).
Hawai'i (25-18, 5-4 WAC) trails NMSU (30-13, 7-2 WAC) by two games, but will play six of its remaining league contests at home. The 'Bows return home after a lengthy seven-game road trip where they went 4-3, winning two of three against San Jose State but managing just one win against Louisiana Tech.
The series will feature the WAC's top defense and pitching staff in Hawai'i against New Mexico State's league-leading offense. As a team, the Rainbows rank first in ERA (2.95) and saves (15). Jarrett Arakawa struggled in his last outing, but remains one of the top arms in the WAC with a 2.34 ERA and 51 total strikeouts. The Aggies lead the league in a host of major offensive categories, most notably batting average (.315), slugging percentage (.467), RBI (349), and homeruns (36). Zach Fisher leads the WAC with a .379 batting average and 16 doubles.
UH and NMSU split their four-game series last year in Las Cruces, N.M. Each team won once via the mercy rule with the 'Bows closing the series with a 24-3 drumming. That win clinched a share of the WAC regular season title for UH, its first since 1992.
Games 44-46
Who: Hawai'i (25-18, 5-4 WAC) vs. New Mexico State (30-13, 7-2 WAC).
Series Record: UH leads 17-11.
Dates: Thursday, May 3 (6:35 p.m.), Friday, May 4 (6:35 p.m.), and Saturday, May 5 (6:35 p.m.).
Where: Les Murakami Stadium (4,312), Honolulu, O'ahu.
Television: OCSports – Channels 12 (SD) and 1012 (HD) will be broadcasting all games of the series. Jim Leahey will be calling the play-by-play with Pal Eldredge doing color commentary.
Streaming Video: Available at www.ocsports.tv for a fee.
Radio: ESPN Radio (1420 AM) will broadcast all games live with Don Robbs handling the play-by-play.
Audio Webcast: http://espn1420am.com.
Live Stats: Live in-game stats are available at HawaiiAthletics.com.
Ticket Information: Tickets can be purchased at the Stan Sheriff Center Box Office, online at HawaiiAthletics.com, or by phone at (808) 944-2697.
Promotions: Farmers Insurance Hawaii is the series sponsor and will award great prizes and distribute 2,500 seat cushions throughout the weekend. Fans can register at the sports marketing table located inside the main entrance at Friday's and Saturday's games for a chance to win a $100 Chevron gas card, courtesy of Farmers Insurance Hawaii. Fans attending the opening game of the UH baseball team's series against New Mexico State on Thursday, May 3, and Nevada on Thursday, May 17, will receive special savings on merchandise and food. Prior to the start of the fourth inning, Rainbowtique will offer fans 15% off all products and everyone making a purchase will receive a free UH Pez dispenser. Fans can also receive two Churros for the price of one, compliments of Sodexo, prior to the end of the fourth inning at both Thursday baseball games, which start at 6:35 p.m.
-UH-
