Hawai'i Game Notes | Baylor Game Notes | Nebraska Game Notes | Houston Game Notes

The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warrior baseball squad (5-8) remained on the mainland after a four-game non-conference set with Pepperdine, heading southeast to Texas for their next challenge this weekend. The 'Bows will open competition in the Houston College Classic on Friday (March 6) against a trio of schools at Minute Maid Park, the home of the Houston Astros.
 
The 'Bows travel into the Lone Star State on a three-game slide, falling in the final three series games to Pepperdine. The 'Bows proved strong offensively at times against the Waves, but faced sound pitching every outing. Pacing UH offensively this season is freshman first baseman Eric Ramirez, who ties Jordan Richartz for the team high in RBI (11), while hitting .386, which ranks 11th in the big-hitting Big West. Redshirt junior outfielder Alan Baldwin has also been doing his part, hitting .297 with eight (8) RBI. Over the weekend, the 'Bows got key performances from Richartz, with six (6) RBI and five (5) runs scored against the Waves, and JJ Kitaoka, who batted .357 in replacing injured Stephen Ventimilia in the infield.
 
Despite taking losses, starting pitchers LJ Brewster and Kyle Von Ruden held their own against the Waves. Brewster went a career-long seven innings with a career-high eight (8) strikeouts, while Von Ruden went five frames before making an exit after being hit by a line drive, striking out three (3) and allowing a single earned run. Battling through a big-hitting series opener, Tyler Brashears gave some runs, three (3) earned, but battled through for the win over the waves.
 
Hawai'i will begin Classic play on Friday against recently-ranked Baylor a 12:05 p.m. CT (8:05 a.m. HT). This is the first meeting between Baylor and Hawai'i. The Bears (6-5) opened the 2015 season with a 6-2 record to jump into the rankings after a straight sweep of Big West opponent then-13th ranked Cal Poly. However, as the BWC moved them into the spotlight, it also took it away, with Baylor dropping all three contests last weekend at Cal State Fullerton.
 
The Bears hit well, averaging .280 as a team, but have seen challenges keeping opposing offenses checked in the early season, logging a 5.29 team ERA. At the plate, senior outfielder Logan Brown has been the steadiest of all Baylor hitters. The 2014 Rawlings/ABCA Gold Glove teamer has started in all 11 games, and is hitting .359 with a team-high eight (8) RBI and nine (9) runs scored. Topping four Bears hitting over .300, sophomore catcher/first baseman Aaron Dodson is BU's extra base man, recording four (4) doubles, one (1) triple and one (1) home run in just seven games, while hitting a team-leading .429.
 
Next up in the College Classic is Nebraska on Saturday (March 7) at 12:05 p.m. CT (8:05 a.m. HT). Despite their distance apart, it is a deep series, this being the 23rd meeting. UH leads the all-time series 15-7, but these teams haven't met since 1998. After finishing last season in the NCAA (Stillwater) Regionals with 41 wins, the Huskers have opened this season 6-4, winning four of their last five games, including a 2-1 series win at Loyola Marymount last weekend. Before taking on the Rainbow Warriors, the Huskers will meet No. 11 Texas A&M in the Classic.
 
The Huskers' offense is concentrated on three key hitters Ryan Boldt, Jake Schleppenbach and Blake Headley. NU's center fielder, Boldt has started each game and leads the Huskers with a .459 average, topping the squad in both hits (17) and runs scored (10), aided by a .512 on-base percentage. At second base, Schleppenbach hits .361 through 10 games, scoring six (6) runs on a .425 OBP. A senior third baseman, Headley is adept at bringing Huskers home, hitting .351 with a team-best five (5) doubles and a triple, tallying a team-high 13 RBI.
 
The 'Bows round out the three-game weekend with the eighth-ranked Houston Cougars on Sunday (March 8) at 6:05 p.m. CT (1 p.m. HT), meeting for the first time. The Cougars (8-5) have proven adept in both phases of the game, recording a .285 batting average and 3.32 team ERA so far. The Cougars have been on the rise through the early season. However, they took a drop in the polls this week after dropping 2-of-3 to 2014 Ivy League Champion Columbia at home.
 
Seven Houston hitters are averaging over .270 on the year, all starters. Leading the way is junior first baseman Chris Iriart with a .364 average, 11 RBI, 10 runs and a team-high three (3) home runs. Classmate and right fielder Kyle Survance isn't far behind with a .340 average, using his speed to leg out extra base hits and a team-best 11 steals. Freshman shortstop Connor Wong is making his mark as well, batting .327 with two (2) doubles, one (1) triple and two (2) home runs, leading the team with 14 RBI. The Cougars will be tested before meeting Hawai'i, facing No. 2 LSU and No. 11 Texas A&M in Classic play.
 
After taking in the tournament, the 'Bows will return to Honolulu, opening an eight-game home stand with a four-set versus Oklahoma, March 12-15 at Les Murakami Stadium.
 
Games 14-16
What: Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors at the Houston College Classic (Baylor, Nebraska, Houston)
When: (Baylor) Friday, March 6 (12:05 p.m. CT/8:05 a.m. HT)
           (Nebraska) Saturday, March 7 (12:05 p.m. CT/8:05 a.m. HT)
           (No. 8 Houston) Sunday, March 8 (6:05 p.m. CT/1:05 p.m. HT)
Where: Houston, Texas (Minute Maid Park)
Television: ROOT Sports Southwest, the television home of the Houston Astros, will televise all games of the tournament. Please check here to verify if your cable/satellite provider carries the channel.
Streaming Video: None  
Radio: The entire Houston College Classic will be broadcast live on ESPN AM 1420, picking up the opponent radio feeds from Minute Maid Park
Audio Webcast: www.espn1420am.com
Live Stats: Live in-game stats will be provided throughout the Houston College Classic

• Baylor Live Stats: http://bit.ly/1DY5T4c
• Nebraska Live Stats: http://bit.ly/1BYaXbg
• Houston Live Stats: http://bit.ly/1GLkCQy