Hawai'i Game Notes | Cal State Fullerton Game Notes

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i baseball team (24-15, 6-6 BWC) is back at Les Murakami Stadium this weekend, playing host to defending Big West Champion No. 14 Cal State Fullerton (26-15, 8-4 BWC) in a three-game conference series from Friday to Sunday, May 5-7.
 
In a series owned by the Titans with a 17-7 advantage, this year it's the Rainbow Warriors who carry over last year's wins. Hawai'i earned a program-first series win over CSF last season in Fullerton with a 2-1 advantage – a fact that's likely on the minds of both teams heading into the series.
 
The Rainbow Warriors are coming off another Big West series win, defeating not only CSUN, but also Northridge's extreme wind conditions for the 2-1 comeback win. Across the three-game stretch, the 'Bows batted .330 to score 23 runs, including seven home runs; matching a school record (5) in the opener with the Matadors.
 
Ranked since the preseason and having a predictably good year as the defending champions, the Titans earned a 2-1 series victory over UC Irvine last weekend. CSF is hitting .269 this season, but as always, it's the pitching as their strength – ranking third in the Big West with a 3.71 ERA, just behind UH at 3.66. Junior Connor Seabold leads the staff with a 6-4 record and 73 strikeouts (in 78.1 innings) – tying UH's Brendan Hornung for the top total in the league.
 
Leading the way for the Titans is rookie shortstop Sahid Valenzuela, who's hitting .350 with 23 runs, 15 RBI and a .395 on-base percentage. However, junior third baseman Taylor Bryant tops the squad with 13 doubles and 29 RBI, batting .306 with 27 runs. An improvement of nearly a run per outing over last season, the Titans bring in 5.6 runs per game, while holding opponents to just 4.07 runs. The Titans do a great job of not beating themselves, tying Long Beach State for first in the Big West and 23rd nationally with a .978 fielding percentage.
 
Coming off a strong weekend where not only his glove, but also his bat was on display, senior third baseman Josh Rojas looks to keep the momentum rolling at home. Last week, he hit .455 with two home runs and five runs against the Matadors. On the year, he's batting .271 with 29 runs, 20 RBI and a team-leading 25 walks.
 
Now extending his reached base streak to the longest in the coach Mike Trapasso era, reaching 39 games, junior center fielder Dylan Vchulek was also solid in Northridge, batting .400.  That should come as no surprise, as he's risen up to tie catcher Kekai Rios for the team lead with a  .331 batting average, scoring a team-high 31 runs, with 20 RBI on 54 hits. And he's also the leader in stealing bases, chalking up 12.
 
Meanwhile, the sophomore Rios is steady as could be, adding 21 runs and 19 RBI on 45 hits and 18 walks, sitting among the team leaders with a .421 on-base percentage.
 
The Rainbow Warriors are batting .273 as a team and average 5.1 runs per contest, while allowing 4.8 runs to score on the season.

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Series Pitching Matchups

	Hawai'i	Cal State Fullerton
Thursday:	RHP Brendan Hornung  (5-3, 2.98 ERA, 81.2 IP, 10 BB, 73 SO)	RHP Connor Seabold (6-4, 2.99, 78.1 IP, 14 BB, 73 SO)
Friday:	RHP Jackson Rees  (4-0, 4.29 ERA, 56.2 IP, 26 BB, 28 SO)	LHP John Gavin (5-1, 3.06, 61.2 IP, 19 BB, 53 SO)
Saturday:	RHP Neil Uskali (6-2, 3.68 ERA, 66.0 IP, 14 BB, 40 SO)	RHP Gavin Velasquez (3-3, 4.94, 47.1 IP, 12 BB, 23 SO)

What: Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (24-15, 6-6 BWC) vs. Cal State Fullerton Titans (26-15, 8-4 BWC)
When:  Friday, May 5, 6:35 p.m. HT
             Saturday, May 6, 6:35 p.m. HT
             Sunday, May 7, 1:05 p.m. HT
Where: Honolulu, O'ahu (Les Murakami Stadium)
Television: OC Sports Will Broadcast the First Two Series Games
Live Video Streaming: OC Sports (Game 1) (Game 2)
Radio: All games will be broadcast live on the radio with Jim Leahey and Scott Robbs covering each game on the call. ESPN Honolulu 1420 AM will air all three games. 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: Hawaii Pacific Health is the series sponsor and will be giving away great prizes each day. Friday's contest is a "Pink Night" and  the first 250 fans through the gate wearing pink apparel will receive a FREE pink rally towel.  Friday's game will also 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 (Check-in 30 min. prior to first pitch near the Big West Conference logo on the ground level). Sunday Funday (May 7): Ticket Package 1 - $25 for family of four (two adults and two youth); Ticket Package 2 - $40 (four adults). Each ticket package includes four (4) upper level tickets, four (4) hot dogs, and four (4) bottle soda/water (while supplies last). Tickets can be purchased online, calling 944-2697 (option 2), walking up to the Les Murakami Stadium on game day or in advance at the Stan Sheriff Center Box Office.