Hawai'i Game Notes | CSUN Game Notes

The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (12-23, 3-6 Big West) baseball squad returns home to Les Murakami Stadium this week, kicking off a six-game home stand with the Cal State Northridge (CSUN) Matadors (22-13, 2-7 Big West) coming to town for a three-game Big West series, Friday (April 17) through Sunday (April 19).
 
The Matadors have been hot in non-conference play, but the record appears a bit sluggish against BWC opponents, posting a 2-7 Big West mark, while ringing up a 21-6 non-con record. However, their two conference wins both came against some of the toughest teams in the league, Cal State Fullerton and Sunday against No. 9 UC Santa Barbara in the 13th inning.
 
Now in his second season at the helm, Greg Moore leads a Matadors squad that hits .266, but holds a 2.59 team ERA, with nine (9) pitchers averaging below three (3) earned runs per game. At the plate, the Matadors are paced by freshman outfielder Elias Orona, who bats .371 as a reserve across most of the season. Fellow rookie and infielder Nolan Bumstead is hitting .328 for CSUN, with five (5) RBI and five (5) runs.
 
Hitting .318, Yusuke Akitoshi is the power scorer for CSUN, racking up a team-best 22 RBI and 20 runs, aided by six (6) doubles, three (3) triples and home run. Senior infielder Ryan Raslowsky isn't far behind, hitting .314 with six (6) doubles, 20 runs scored and eight (8) RBI.
 
On the mound for CSUN, senior left-hander Jerry Keel is the top starter, with a 4-3 record and 1.84 ERA, striking out 52 versus 11 walks in 58.2 innings pitched. Junior right-hander Rayne Raven is also a rotation pitcher and at 4-3, with a 2.25 ERA, striking out 57 with 14 walks in 52 innings. Junior righty Calvin Copping rounds out the group with a 4-3 record and 3.33 ERA, with 56 strikeouts and 18 walks in 51.1 innings.
 
The Rainbow Warriors took a tough sweep weekend at the preseason Big West No. 2, Cal Poly, leading in all three games, with the Mustangs producing big swings late to rally for wins in the first two contests. The sweep drops the 'Bows back a series, with UC Irvine leading the pack in the Big West, taking just one conference loss to Long Beach State.
 
The Rainbow Warriors, who have had a hitting boon lately, racked up 35 hits over the weekend, in spite of the losses. Leading the pack and stepping more comfortably into his role as designated hitter is Alex Sawelson, who bats .309 with 13 RBI and 10 runs. First baseman Eric Ramirez is at his heels, hitting .308, tying for the team lead with 24 RBI and 19 runs.  Outfielder Alan Baldwin is also in a surge of late, hitting .292 with 13 RBI and 14 runs, logging four (4) doubles, two (2) triples and a home run.
 
However, the biggest momentum swing at the plate belongs to catcher Chayce Ka'aua. Batting in the 8-hole with a .278 average, Ka'aua has been on fire the past two weeks, hitting .550 over the last six games, recording a .700 slugging percentage and .625 on-base percentage, aiding him to four (4) RBI and eight (8) runs scored over that span. The redshirt freshman also has taken over the top spot for hitting doubles, currently at seven (7).
 
The rotation is steady for the 'Bows, but the numbers fell a little against the big-hitting Mustangs. Right-handed pitcher Tyler Brashears leads the starting group with a 4-4 record and 2.35 ERA, collecting 44 strikeouts to 11 walks through 57.1 innings. Right-hander LJ Brewster is 4-3 with a 2.64 ERA, logging 37 strikeouts in 58 innings. Lefty Jarrett Arakawa's ERA dropped to 3.24 with a 2-1 record after Sunday's slugfest, but with a limited 25 innings this season, the redshirt senior's numbers can rebound quickly with a solid Sunday outing.

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What: Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (12-23, 3-6 Big West) vs CSUN Matadors (22-13, 2-7 Big West)
When:  Friday (April 17), 6:35 p.m.
             Saturday (April 18), 6:35 p.m.
             Sunday (April 19), 1:05 p.m.
Where: Honolulu, O'ahu, Les Murakami Stadium
Television: OC Sports (channels 16 [SD] and 1016 [HD]) will broadcast the first two games of the series, Friday and Saturday. In the booth will be Jim Leahey and Pal Eldredge.
Live Video Streaming: The TV broadcasts on Friday and Saturday 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/BSBvCSUN1
           Game 2: http://bit.ly/BSBvCSUN2
           Game 3: http://bit.ly/BSBvCSUN3
Promotions: Bank of Hawaii is the series sponsor and will award great prizes throughout the weekend. Friday's contest will be followed by an autograph session on the field. UH season-ticket holders receive 50% off adult tickets to any game of the series.