Hawai'i Game Notes | Arizona Game Notes

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (23-27) return to Les Murakami Stadium for the final time in the 2016 campaign, concluding the season in a three-game set with Pac-12 foe Arizona (35-20). The series runs Friday-Sunday with UH's Senior Day celebration for the 10 seniors directly following Sunday's finale.
 
The 'Bows are coming off one of the biggest series finishes of the past few years, claiming a 2-1 first-ever series win over perennial league leader Cal State Fullerton on the road. UH was the only Big West team to defeat the Titans at Goodwin Field this season. Winning the final two conference series, UH finishes at .500 (12-12) in conference play in consecutive seasons.
 
With the Big West slate completed and no conference tournament, the 'Bows turn their attention to the Pac-12 and this week's opponent, the Arizona Wildcats. UH closes out with UA for the second straight season, falling in both games last season in Tucson. Ranking at fourth in the Pac-12 with their conference schedule done, the final league order will shake out this week without the Wildcats in action, as UA is poised for an NCAA Tournament at-large bid and possibly a Regional host selection.
 
Pacing UA, right fielder Zach Gibbons has pulled it all together in his senior season, improving from a .287 average in 2015 to a team-leading .365 with 11 doubles, 36 RBI and 32 runs, topping the squad with a .458 on-base percentage. Keeping pace is senior second baseman Cody Ramer, hitting .358 and crossing the plate for a Pac-12 second-best 51 runs, in addition to recording 13 doubles, a team-high seven triples and 33 RBI. Leading the team in doubles (17), home runs (6) and RBI (41), senior first baseman Ryan Aguilar is hitting .323 with 40 runs scored.
 
Although the Wildcats allow a team ERA of 3.62, they outscore opponents by a margin of 6-4.2 on average.  Topping the Arizona pitching staff, junior left-hander JC Cloney (5-3, 2.55 ERA, 84.2 IP, 14 BB, 51 K) and senior righty Nathan Bannister (8-2, 2.81 ERA, 105.2 IP, 21 BB, 81 K) have been the most consistent weekend starters. However, the UA rotation is up in the air following a pair of midweek victories versus Abilene Christian before heading to Honolulu early Thursday morning.
 
For the 'Bows, the rising success story is focused on freshman Ethan Lopez, who has emerged in the starting lineup in right field and has hit in 16 consecutive games – tying Kolten Wong for the longest streak in 15 years under coach Mike Trapasso. The Whittier, Calif. rookie ties for second on the UH hitting charts at .333 with six doubles, two triples, two home runs, 14 RBI and 13 runs, all in just 25 games. Against Cal State Fullerton, he hit a response homer in game two and fired the game-winning RBI in the finale to clinch the series.
 
Also shining as a rookie, Kekai Rios has been outstanding behind the plate, hitting .333 as well. The Kahalu'u native has eight doubles and a homer, scoring 22 runs with 18 RBI, while also putting away 18 base thieves. He has been an anchor in the back half of the UH lineup down the stretch this season.
 
Although it's been a challenging three weeks at the plate for senior shortstop Jacob Sheldon-Collins, hitting just 5-for-22, he remains at the top of UH's hitting list and at a .364 average is still third in the conference. His last time out, he rose up to lead UH to the finale win, hitting a leadoff triple to set up UH's first score, also tying the game in the eighth after reaching on balls. This season, he paces UH in hits (67), on-base percentage (.421) and steals (6), while putting up nine doubles, 23 RBI and 28 runs.
 
Meanwhile, first baseman Eric Ramirez has held steady as team RBI leader (29) and has moved to the top in doubles (11), the most since 2013. Meanwhile, center fielder Matt LoCoco added his fifth triple against the Titans, becoming only the fourth in the Trapasso era and first with five since 2011. For his effort, he ties for the Big West lead and ranks 40th nationally. LoCoco also ranks second in the conference and 72nd nationally with 37 walks.
 
Expect the pitching rotation to remain the same for the Rainbow Warriors, as right-hander Kyle Von Ruden (7-2, 3.09 ERA, 102.0 IP, 18 BB, 48 K) and left-hander Alex Hatch (3-6, 4.96 ERA, 78.0 IP, 23 BB, 56 K) take the mound at Les Murakami Stadium for the final time, in advance of Sunday righty starter Brendan Hornung (4-7, 3.09 ERA, 96.0 IP, 19 BB, 71 K). Top reliever, righty Cody Culp (3-1, 2.14 ERA, 46.1 IP, 5 BB, 36 K) has moved up to 29 appearances, another high mark for the Trapasso era.
 
Following Sunday's finale, the 10 senior Rainbow Warriors will receive recognition for their careers at UH in their last game. That group includes: Alan Baldwin, Lawrence Chew, Cody Culp, Alex Hatch, Matt LoCoco, Josh Pigg, Alex Sawelson, Jacob Sheldon-Collins, Matt Valencia and Kyle Von Ruden.
 
There is one additional outgoing Rainbow Warrior, as the voice of Hawai'i baseball, radio announcer Don Robbs, will call his final series this weekend to cap off a 40-year career covering UH on the air.
 
What: Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (23-27) vs. Arizona Wildcats (35-20)
When:  Friday, May 27, 6:35 p.m.
             Saturday, May 28, 6:35 p.m.
             Sunday, May 29, 1:05 p.m. (Followed by Senior Day Celebration)
Where: Honolulu, O'ahu (Les Murakami Stadium)
Television: All three 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, airing on ESPN Honolulu 1420 AM with Don Robbs and Scott Robbs on the call. Don Robbs will call his final career game in the finale on Sunday. 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
        Game 2
        Game 3
Promotions: First Insurance is the game sponsor on Friday and will distribute 250 baseball pom poms and 500 baseball-shaped towels. Friday's contest will be followed by an autograph session on the field. First Hawaiian Bank is the sponsor on Saturday and will award great prizes throughout the game. The University of Hawaii Federal Credit Union is the sponsor on "Senior Day" and will distribute 1,500 team photos and 300 foldable hand fans and honor the departing seniors after the game with commemorative plaques. Fans are encouraged to wear white UH apparel for Senior Day.