Hawai'i Game Notes | UC Irvine Game Notes

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors baseball team closes out a month-long homestand and opens up Big West Conference play this weekend, with UC Irvine coming to Les Murakami for a three-game series, Friday to Sunday. The Rainbow Warriors and Anteaters meet for the 30th time in a series that dates back to 1974.
 
The Rainbow Warriors split last weekend's series with Santa Clara in dramatic fashion, including a heavy-hitting second game, a comeback to a walk-off finish and a near-rally in the finale, coming up short with the tie run on third. Coming out of the primary non-conference stretch at 11-14, UH is a pair of non-league victories ahead of last season when they opened up in Irvine.

Last year's series was determined by five total runs on the road.

At 15-7, the Anteaters had last week off the diamond and were able to claim a 9-2 win over San Diego before heading out to O'ahu. UCI has won 6-of-7 most recent games, including a sweep of Seattle at home.

Pacing the Anteaters is 2015 Freshman All-American and Big West Freshman of the year Keston Hiura. The sophomore center fielder leads UCI with a .463 average and 38 hits, racking up team bests of seven home runs, two triples, 25 RBI and 20 runs, while also stealing successfully 5-of-6 times—taking advantage of his .552 on-base percentage.

Hiura is followed by junior shortstop John Brontsema, who is hitting .388 with four doubles and 13 runs scored, while junior outfielder Evan Cassolato is hitting .333 also with four two-baggers and 11 runs. Junior second baseman Cole Kreuter rounds out a UCI quartet hitting over .300, adding a .313 average with 13 RBI and 14 runs, topping the Anteaters with seven doubles.

Last season, with a 33-23 record, the Anteaters hit .282 as a team with a 4.21 ERA, and held the exact same numbers coming out of their March 22 game with Loyola Marymount. After USD, they are hitting .279 with a 4.11 ERA.

On the mound, UCI is expected to open up with senior left-hander Elliot Surrey, who holds a 3.12 ERA and 2-1 record, almost even with 15 strikeouts to 13 walks. Coming up Saturday should be sophomore right-hander Shaun Vetrovec, who made 8-of-10 rookie performances out of the bullpen in 2015 and is 2-2 with a 4.85 ERA, walking 11 with 13 strikeouts. Rounding out the trio, left-handed sophomore Cameron Bishop leads UCI with a 3-1 record, logging a 3.58 ERA and striking out a team-high 26 with 13 walks.

Steady this season as the UH hitting leader, senior shortstop Jacob Sheldon-Collins is going strong at .386 with a team-high .440 on-base percentage, ranking fourth in the Big West in average. He has 12 RBI, 14 runs and moved into a tie on Sunday for the team lead with six doubles. Ranking second on the team in RBI (14) and batting average (.338), freshman catcher Kekai Rios has 11 runs and has proven a gunslinger behind the plate, picking off 10 would-be thieves this season.

On the mound, the regular trio will be leading the Rainbow Warriors, as the rotation remains right-hander Brendan Hornung (2.51 ERA, 2-5, 46.2 IP, 40 K, 12 BB), right-hander Kyle Von Ruden (2.61 ERA, 3-1, 51.2 IP, 28 K, 5 BB) and southpaw Alex Hatch (4.10 ERA, 2-2, 37.1 IP, 32 K, 8 BB).

The series, led by UC Irvine 24-6, is set for Friday through Sunday, April 1-3, at Les Murakami Stadium.
What: Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (11-14, 0-0 BWC) vs. UC Irvine (14-7, 0-0 BWC)
When:  Friday, April 1, 6:35 p.m.
              Saturday, April 2, 6:35 p.m.
              Sunday, April 3, 1:05 p.m.
Where: Honolulu, O'ahu (Les Murakami Stadium)
Television: The first two games of the series will air live on OC Sports (TWC channels 16 [SD] and 1016 [HD] and Hawaiian Telcom channels 89 [SD] and 1089 [HD]). In the booth will be Jim Leahey and Pal Eldredge.
Live Video Streaming: At this time, the games will not be streamed via Big West TV
Radio: All games will be broadcast live on the radio, with the first (April 1) and third (April 3) games airing on ESPN Honolulu 1420 AM with Don Robbs and Scott Robbs on the call. The April 2 contest will appear on NBC Sports 1500 AM. 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 | www.NBCsportsradiohawaii.com
Live Stats: Live in-game stats will be provided by Hawai'i Athletics throughout the series at the links listed below.
        Game 1
        Game 2
        Game 3
Promotions: Pepsi is the series sponsor and will award a 1/2 years supply of Pepsi products at each game of the series. Friday's contest will be followed by an autograph session on the field. Little League teams are invited onto the field to stand alongside the UH baseball players for the National Anthem & Hawaii Pono'i prior to Saturday's game.