HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i baseball team (25-17, 7-8 BWC) remains at home for the first of two final home series, spanning the Rainbow Warriors Graduation weekend with UC Irvine (17-29, 4-11 BWC) coming to Les Murakami Stadium.
 
Typically an upper-tier squad in the Big West, the Anteaters are in a down year and come to Murakami Stadium with just four conference wins after dropping a series to CSUN over the weekend at home. UCI fell to San Diego, 5-1, on Tuesday night before heading to Honolulu on Thursday morning. The Anteaters are 8-13 away from Irvine this year.
 
The Rainbow Warriors sit near the midline in conference record and are fifth in the latest Big West standings. UH dropped the series, 2-1, to No. 14 Cal State Fullerton at home, but the 'Bows were in position to make a move in each loss against the highly-lauded Titans.
 
The Anteaters have a distinctive advantage in the overall series, leading UH 25-8 in the series dating back to 1974. Although the 'Bows are 2-10 against UC since joining the Big West, the two wins came last season as UH took the 2016 series win, snapping a nine-game losing streak.
 
Leading the Anteaters is junior all-everything designated hitter Keston Hiura, who leads the Big West in batting average (.405), slugging percentage (.684), on-base percentage (.551), runs (39), doubles (18) and walks (44). Ranking second nationally in batting average and fifth in walks, Hiura has 64 hits (including eight homers) and 34 RBI on the year. No surprise that senior shortstop Mickey Duarte is also producing for UC Irvine after leading the conference in hitting last year. Duarte is hitting .329 with 16 doubles, 29 runs and 21 RBI, reaching base at a .411 clip.
 
As a team, UCI is hitting .269 with 5.1 runs per game. However, the Anteaters also hold a pitching staff ERA at 5.43 and allow 6.04 runs per contest. Opponents have batted .298 against UCI this season.
 
After facing the stingy pitching staff from Fullerton, that could be just what the doctor ordered for 'Bows batters, who average .269 and 5.1 runs per game. Reaching base in every game of his UH career, center fielder Dylan Vchulek has pulled ahead to be the UH batting leader, averaging .324 to rank ninth in the BWC. The junior has a team-high 32 runs, 22 RBI and 12 stolen bases. His reached base streak of 42 games ties for the third-longest active streak in the nation.
 
Steady all year, catcher Kekai Rios is hitting .313 with nine doubles, 21 runs and 19 RBI. Over the weekend, it was junior second baseman Johnny Weeks who served as hero for the 'Bows, batting .600 against the stalwart Titans, chipping in a two-run homer in the game two win, as well as a double in the opener.
 
In the 2017 season the Rainbow Warriors have been powering the ball, hitting 18 more home runs than a year ago, led by Eric Ramirez (5), and have surpassed 2016's doubles count by two (80), paced by Josh Rojas and Adam Fogel with 12 apiece.
 
The 'Bows pitching staff remains stingy as well, holding a 3.61 ERA to rank second in the Big West and 35th nationally. Despite recent struggles, the Rainbow Warriors still rank fifth in the NCAA with just 2.3 free passes per contest.
 
With commencement exercises taking place at the Stan Sheriff Center and Clarence T.C. Ching Field on Saturday (May 13), the Rainbow Warriors and Anteaters will meet in a Friday, Sunday, Monday series this week.

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Series Pitching Matchups

	Hawai'i	UC Irvine
Thursday:	RHP Brendan Hornung  (5-3, 3.07 ERA, 88.0 IP, 13 BB, 76 SO)	RHP Louis Raymond (3-4, 3.65, 74.0 IP, 14 BB, 42 SO)
Friday:	LHP Dominic DeMiero  (4-4, 2.60 ERA, 65.2 IP, 11 BB, 37 SO)	RHP Jordan Bocko (1-4, 5.04, 60.2 IP, 26 BB, 39 SO)
Saturday:	RHP Jackson Rees  (5-0, 3.90 ERA, 64.2 IP, 28 BB, 32 SO)	RHP Cole Spear (3-4, 5.81, 48.0 IP, 22 BB, 25 SO)

What: Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (25-17, 7-8 BWC) vs. UC Irvine Anteaters (17-29, 4-11 BWC)
When:  Friday, May 12, 6:35 p.m. HT
             Sunday, May 14, 5:00 p.m. HT
             Monday, May 15, 6:35 p.m. HT
Where: Honolulu, O'ahu (Les Murakami Stadium)
Television: OC Sports Will Broadcast the Final Two Series Games
Live Video Streaming: OC Sports (Game 2) (Game 3)
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: Coca-Cola is the series sponsor and will award great prizes for each game. Sign up for your chance to win at each game of the series. Friday's contest will be followed by an autograph session on the field.  Little League teams and Mom's (in honor of Mother's Day) are invited onto the field to stand alongside the UH baseball players for the National Anthem & Hawaii Pono'i prior to Sunday's game (Check-in 30 min. prior to first pitch near the Big West Conference logo on the ground level).Sunday Funday (May 14): 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. Monday (May 15) Active, DOD civilians, reservists, and retired members of the military will receive 50% off select adult tickets (maximum of four). A valid military identification card is required when purchasing tickets at the Stan Sheriff Center Box Office in advance or at the Les Murakami Stadium Box Office on game day. Tickets are in special sections and supplies are limited. Other restrictions may apply.