Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Game 1 Box Score (pdf) | Game 2 Box Score (pdf)

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors baseball team (6-11) suffered a double-loss doubleheader with No. 19 Michigan (11-3) on Saturday at Les Murakami Stadium, battling out close games that both turned on big-scoring drives by the Wolverines to break the deadlock in wins of 9-4 and 5-3, claiming the series sweep of the Rainbow Warriors.
 
GAME 1
After making all three outs at third in the top of the second in the first contest of the doubleheader, Johnny Weeks opened things up for the Rainbow Warriors, coaxing a one-out walk from Michigan starter Ryan Nutof, claiming the early lead courtesy of aggressive base running. U-M right fielder Johnny Slater mishandled the scoop on UH left fielder Alan Baldwin's single, and Weeks capitalized, racing in from second on the throw.
 
The 'Bows converted in consecutive innings, as center fielder Matt LoCoco turned a four-pitch walk into a 2-0 lead, scoring from second on first baseman Eric Ramirez' RBI single shot up the middle.
 
Nine up, nine down for Hatch, but a one-out double in the fourth proved costly, as Matt Ramsay scored from third on Cody Bruder's low-liner RBI single, splitting UH defenders on the left side and trimming the 'Bows lead to 2-1.
 
The two runs for UH was enough for Michigan, who opted to pull Nutof in favor of help from the bullpen in William Tribucher to start the third.
 
The Wolverines were able to even up the score with another score in the fifth, getting aggressive for the suicide squeeze sac bunt to make it 2-2.
 
The Rainbow Warriors again reclaimed the lead in the bottom half, as Tribucher issued consecutive walks to shortstop Jacob Sheldon-Collins and Ramirez. Right fielder Alex Fitchett cashed in one curving a drifting ball into the heavy cross-wind which dropped an undefended right field patch for the RBI single.
 
Feeling the press of the seven-inning plan, Michigan exploded for three runs on three hits to claim the advantage in the sixth and followed up with a four-run stretch in the seventh off reliever Josh Pigg.
 
LoCoco scored again in the bottom half as the ball skirted past the first baseman on the throw. Michigan called to the bullpen, summoning Troy Miller once again, replacing Ricky Karcher. He induced three consecutive 'Bows outs, stranding a runner in the 9-4 comeback.
 
Tribucher (1-0) earned the win for Michigan, pitching 3.0 innings with one run allowed on two hits, striking out two and walking two.
 
Hatch (1-2) went 6.0 innings in the loss, allowing five runs on five hits, striking out four and walking two.
Ramirez led the UH hitters with a 2-for-3 game with one RBI. Fitchett was 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Sheldon-Collins was 1-for-2 with a run and LoCoco scored twice.
 
GAME 2
A pitcher's duel ensued to start the second game, but it was UH senior left-hander Lawrence Chew who bent first, as the Wolverines capitalized on a leadoff walk in the third, as Michael Brdar scored from third on an outfield error scooping a Jake Bivens single.
 
U-M gained some breathing room in the fourth, as three consecutive base hits, with a wild pitch along the way, added two runs for the visitors and ended the day for Chew, yielding to junior Casey Ryan. With a shot up the middle, Slater added a third run, before a double play initiated by left field sub Kobi Candorama stopped another sacrifice fly attempt and ended the run with a tag at the plate by catcher David Noworyta.
 
U-M first baseman Drew Lugbauer added an insurance run in the fifth on a single through the right side.
 
Facing Jayce Vancena in the bottom of the final inning, the 'Bows again made their move, loading up the bases with a pair of walks and an RBI single by LoCoco to bring pinch hitter Josh Rojas home. LoCoco would later score on a passed ball first pitch by Carmen Benedetti to draw the deficit to 5-3.
 
Benedetti closed out the rally attempt with a looking strikeout, earning his first save and completing the sweep by the Wolverines.
 
U-M starter Evan Hill (2-1) went 5.2 innings for the win allowing one run on five hits, striking out seven.
 
For UH, Chew (0-1) took the loss in his first start of the season, pitching 3.0 innings with three earned runs on six hits, striking out two and walking one.
 
At the plate, LoCoco was 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI to lead the 'Bows.
 
The Rainbow Warriors will return next week to Les Murakami Stadium for a four-game set with Western Athletic Conference (WAC) foe Chicago State, March 17-20, as the 'Bows roll into the mid-point of a month-long homestand.