Hawai'i Game Notes | UC Santa Barbara Game Notes

Coming off of a Big West series win, the University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (14-24, 5-7 Big West) baseball team continues its home stand for one more week, meeting No. 7 UC Santa Barbara (29-9, 6-3 Big West) in a three-game set, running Friday (April 24) to Sunday (April 26) at Les Murakami Stadium.
 
The Gauchos are off to one of the hottest seasons in recent years, reaching a ranking of seventh by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA)—the highest for the program since 1986—sporting a 29-9 record, but sitting second in the Big West standings behind UC Irvine. Over the weekend, UCSB earned a series win (2-1) over Cal Poly at home. The Gauchos collected an 8-3 victory over Pepperdine before heading to Honolulu.
 
Fourth-year head coach Andrew Checketts has things running smoothly, with the team batting average at its highest point in his tenure (.298) and the team ERA at its lowest in the same span (2.25).
 
Leading the charge for UCSB at the plate is junior first utility player Robby Nesovic, the reigning Big West Player of the Week. Nesovic is hitting .370 this season, with eight (8) doubles, 34 RBI and 23 runs scored. He leads the BWC in RBI and is second in batting average, hitting .667 with five (5) RBI last week against Cal Poly.
 
Also making an impact with his bat and glove, senior right fielder Luke Swenson is hitting .348 with six (6) doubles and four (4) triples, scoring 21 runs and batting in 18 more. Left fielder Cameron Newell adds more power elements to the lineup, hitting .355 with eight (8) doubles, two (2) triples and three (3) home runs, chipping in 30 runs and 22 RBI.
 
On the mound, the focus is on Baseball America's No. 2 draft prospect, right-handed pitcher Dillon Tate, who comes in with a 5-3 record and 1.73 ERA, striking out 71 in 68 innings. Although Tate missed his last start to injury, he is likely slated to open the series at UH. The Gauchos are far from short on starters, also boasting lefty Justin Jacome, who has a 6-1 record and 2.61 ERA in 10 starters, striking out 61 in 72 innings. Right-hander Shane Bieber is 5-3 with a 2.12 ERA and 63 strikeouts through 72 innings and 10 starts.
 
The Rainbow Warriors are coming of a series win of their own, opening the home stand with a 2-1 series victory over Cal State Northridge (CSUN) last week. Though the tough defense of the Matadors put the recent 'Bows hitting boon on standby, stout pitching from the starters and reliever Quintin Torres-Costa allowed UH to open the series with two wins.
 
Senior second baseman Stephen Ventimilia led the way for UH last week, hitting .364 with one (1) RBI and three (3) runs scored. However, on the season, it's been the efforts of first baseman Eric Ramirez and Alex Sawelson who drive the 'Bows offense. Ramirez leads the team with a .308 average, 26 RBI and a .426 on-base percentage, scoring a team second-best 19 runs. Sawelson is hitting .301 with 14 RBI and 11 runs.
 
On the mound, Tyler Brashears and LJ Brewster remain the leaders, sporting 5-4 and 5-3 records, respectively. Brashears went eight (8.0) innings against CSUN with six (6) strikeouts and just one (1) run allowed. He leads the team with 50 strikeouts in 65.1 innings, logging a 2.20 ERA. Brewster has a 2.35 ERA and went seven (7) innings against CSUN in a shutout win, allowing just three (3) hits and fanning five (5). Brewster has 42 strikeouts in 65 innings. After a little trouble early, Sunday starter Jarrett Arakawa was coasting, but the Matadors got to him in the sixth for the go-ahead run. Through 30.1 innings, Arakawa has a 3.26 ERA and 2-2 record with 16 strikeouts.
 
Torres-Costa has risen to the highest praise in the bullpen. An early-season starter, the redshirt sophomore has put it all together lately, having not allowed a run in his last eight (8) appearances and struck out 22 in that same span. He allowed just a single hit in three (3.0) innings of two (2) appearances versus CSUN, earning saves in each outing.What: Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (14-24, 5-7 Big West) vs UC Santa Barbara Gauchos (29-9, 6-3 Big West)
When:  Friday (April 24), 6:35 p.m.
             Saturday (April 25), 6:05 p.m.
             Sunday (April 26), 1:05 p.m.
Where: Honolulu, O'ahu, Les Murakami Stadium
Television: OC Sports (channels 16 [SD] and 1016 [HD]) will broadcast the first game of the series on Frida. In the booth will be Jim Leahey and Sam Spangler.
Live Video Streaming: The TV broadcast 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 for Friday and Sunday games. Saturday's game will air on NBC Sports Radio 1500AM. Neighbor islands can listen live on Friday and Sunday on KNUI on Maui, KHLO in Hilo, KKON in Kona and KTOH on Kaua'i.
Audio Webcast: www.espn1420am.com (Friday and Sunday); www.nbcsportsradiohawaii.com (Saturday)
Live Stats: Live in-game stats will be provided by Hawai'i Athletics throughout the series at the links listed below.
           Game 1 Live Stats
           Game 2 Live Stats
           Game 3 Live Stats
Promotions: The California Hotel and Casino is the series sponsor and will award a Vacations Hawaii trip to Las Vegas. Fans can register at the sports marketing table for their chance to win great prizes during each game of the series. Friday's contest will be followed by an autograph session on the field.