Hawai'i Game Notes | UC Davis Game Notes

The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (9-19, 0-3 Big West) baseball squad is back off a tough road swing to southern California, returning this week to Les Murakami Stadium for more conference action, as UC Davis (17-7-1, 3-0 Big West) heads over for a four-game set. This week's conference triple and solo non-conference game runs from Thursday (April 2) to Sunday (April 5).

The Aggies are on a roll through the early season, sporting a 17-7-1 record. Picked to finish last in the Preseason Big West standings, the Aggies are on the verge of surpassing the 23 wins they earned a year ago, and have won six straight, including a BWC sweep of UC Riverside last weekend in Davis.

Under the guidance of fourth-year Head Coach Matt Vaughn, the Aggies are paced by redshirt senior first/third baseman Nick Lynch. Honorable mention All-Big West a year ago, Lynch leads the conference and ranks 42nd in the NCAA with a .402 batting average and holds a .504 on-base percentage with team-highs of 19 RBI and 25 runs scored. Most notably, Lynch leads the nation in doubles, with 16 on the campaign, in addition to one (1) triple and two (2) home runs.

Fellow senior and left fielder Austin March aids the hitting effort, with 13 RBI and 18 runs of his own, hitting .346 on the year, with a .432 OBP. Redshirt senior second baseman Tino Lipson isn't far behind, batting .340 with 15 RBI and 20 runs. Izaak Silva and John Williams also chip in averages of .337 and .321, respectively.

Six of the Aggies top seven hitters are seniors this season, aiming them toward a BWC-leading and 29th NCAA ranked .298 batting average. With the top run count in the conference, the Aggies average 6.5 runs per outing, aided by an NCAA seventh-best 2.52 doubles per game. On the other side of the coin, the Aggies are holding their own on the pitching staff, recording a 3.27 team ERA.

Leading the effort on the mound is redshirt senior Raul Jacobson, who holds a 2.44 ERA and 3-0 record, striking out 37. Just behind is sophomore Orlando Razo, with a 4-1 record and 2.50 ERA, striking out 29. Redshirt junior Max Cordy is a team-leading 5-0 this season, with a 4.11 ERA, striking out just 21. Sophomore closer Zach Stone has been a huge factor in the Aggies' success, earning a league second-best six (6) saves in 15 appearances, striking out 17.

The 'Bows are coming off a challenging week on the road, dropping four straight contests, meeting Loyola Marymount midweek and then a weekend series at UC Irvine. Although the record has fallen below par against one of the nation's tougher schedules, Hawai'i is right on that edge. The 'Bows are 2-11 in games decided by two runs or less, and have held 16 opponents under five runs this season. Although UH was swept this weekend against a team that advanced into the 2014 College World Series, the entire series was decided by a total of five (5) runs.

As a team, the Rainbow Warriors' biggest challenge has been at the plate, and are hitting .240 as a team. Coming off a 3-for-4 performance in the UCI finale, Alex Sawelson paces the 'Bows with a .277 average, logging nine (9) RBI and nine (9) runs. Freshman first baseman Eric Ramirez bats .276 with 16 runs and a team-leading 19 RBI, reaching base at a .393 clip. Hitting a perfect 5-for-5 in the second game of the UCI series, Alan Baldwin bats .269 with 11 RBI and 10 runs, with a .355 OBP.

On the mound, the 'Bows' starters have prospered, led by LJ Brewster and Tyler Brashears, who go first and second in the rotation. Brewster has a 1.90 ERA and 3-3 record through a team-leading 47 innings, striking out 29. Brashears holds a 2.74 ERA and 3-3 record, striking out 28 through 42 innings. The final addition to the rotation, redshirt senior Jarrett Arakawa tops the starters with a 1.06 ERA and 1-0 record after four games back from rehabbing. Arakawa recently had his string of scoreless innings ended at 11 by an earned run in the UCI finale. UH has continued to look at different options for the fourth starter in the rotation.
 What: Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (9-19) vs UC Davis Aggies (17-7-1)
When: Thursday (April 2), 6:35 p.m.
             Friday (April 3), 6:35 p.m.
             Saturday (April 4), 6:35 p.m.
             Sunday (April 5), 1:05 p.m.
Where: Honolulu, O'ahu, Les Murakami Stadium
Television: OC Sports (channels 16 [SD] and 1016 [HD]) will broadcast the first three games of the series, Thursday-Saturday. In the booth will be Jim Leahey and Pal Edredge.
Live Video Streaming: The TV broadcast will appear on Big West TV at http://bit.ly/UHBSB
Radio: ESPN Honolulu 1420 AM with Don Robbs and Scott Robbs. Neighbor islands can listen live on KNUI on Maui, KHLO in Hilo, KKON in Kona and KTOH on Kaua'i.
Audio Webcast: www.espn1420am.com
Live Stats: Live in-game stats will be provided by Hawai'i Athletics throughout the series at the links listed below.
        Game 1: http://bit.ly/1BMKMyR
        Game 2: http://bit.ly/1BMKRSY
        Game 3: http://bit.ly/1CtJ0VI
        Game 4: http://bit.ly/1GdsjAp
Promotions: Hawaii Pacific Health is the game sponsor on Thursday and Friday and will distribute 500 eco-tote bags at Thursday's game and 500 baseball drawstring bags at Friday's game. Jack in the Box is the game sponsor on Saturday and Sunday and will distribute neon sunglasses on both days. Friday's contest will be followed by an autograph session on the field. UH Alumni Association members receive 50 percent off adult tickets to any game of the series.