HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i baseball (3-0) season-opening homestand continues this weekend in a four-game series against former Western Athletic Conference (WAC) rival Brigham Young, Thursday-Saturday (Feb. 22-24) at Les Murakami Stadium.
 
Projected Starters (2018 Stats)

	Thursday, Feb. 22	Friday, Feb. 23	Saturday, Feb. 24 (G1)	Saturday, Feb. 24 (G2)
BYU	RHP Jordan Wood 1.50 ERA, 0-0, 6.0 IP, 3 K, 0 BB	RHP Ryan Brady 9.00 ERA, 0-0, 4.0 IP 6 K, 1 BB	LHP-Hayden Rogers 3.68 ERA, 1-0, 7.1 IP 6 K, 1 BB	LHP-Kenny Saenz 15.00 ERA, 0-0, 3.0 IP, 4 K, 0 BB
Hawai'i	RHP Jackson Rees 0.00 ERA, 1-0, 7.0 IP,  6 K, 1 BB	LHP Dominic DeMiero 1.50 ERA, 1-0, 6.0 IP, 5 K, 1 BB	RHP Neil Uskali 1.59 ERA, 1-0, 5.2 IP, 4 K, 2 BB	RHP Logan Pouelsen No Stats

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The Rainbow Warriors are off to a historic start to the 2018 season, opening up 3-0 for the first time since 2006, and are one of 46 teams that ended perfect after the opening week.
 
Driving the movement was stout pitching by the experienced Rainbow Warriors staff, squaring off with the NCAA's top-hitting squad last season, and essentially shutting Air Force down. UH pitchers allowed 18 hits across three games, but just two runs for the Falcons – with only one extra-base hit in the series. Opening day starter Jackson Rees began the year with a shutout, throwing seven innings with six strikeouts. Meanwhile, both Dominic DeMiero and Neil Uskali earned quality starts for the win, with just four hits apiece and strikeout counts of five and four, respectively.
 
The Relievers really put their foot down last weekend, with senior Collin Ashworth dealing a three-inning save, complete with six strikeouts and just a .182 average against. Picking up where he left off, 2017 Freshman All-American and Stopper of the Year watchlister Dylan Thomas secured two saves, jumping to the top of the early Big West standings and second in the nation in the category. Thomas went 2.2 scoreless innings across two games with only one hit, securing the stops despite no strikeouts.
 
At the plate there was a lot to be excited about for UH, logging 25 hits on the series, including nine extra-base hits, opening at 24th nationally in doubles per game. Leading the charge, 2017 Freshman All-American right fielder Adam Fogel batted .556 (5-for-9) with three doubles and one home run, producing three RBI and three runs. The newest entry into the lineup was a pleasant surprise for Rainbow Warrior fans as Tokyo International University-transfer shortstop Maaki Yamazaki hit 4-for-10 with a double, while also playing smooth on defense with 13 assists and three double plays. Seniors Eric Ramirez and Chayce Ka'aua, as well as junior Ethan Lopez played key roles, combining for nine hits with a hand in six scores.
 
2017 West Coast Conference (WCC) Co-Champions and NCAA Regional team, the Cougars also got off to a hot start, opening at CSUN with a 3-1 record. All four games were decided by two runs or less as BYU averaged 13 hits and 7.5 runs per outing. No surprise that junior first baseman Brian Hsu paced the team early. A .364 careeer batter, Hsu hit .588 (10-of-17) against the Matadors, with four doubles and one home run to score six times. Freshman Utility outfielder Mitch McIntyre went 6-for-12, while tying for the team-best five RBI. In total, seven Cougars hit over .300 on the weekend.
 
In spite of a team hitting mark at .333, the Cougars pitching staff tallied a 6.69 ERA at CSUN, giving nearly 11 hits per game. Right-handed junior Jordan Wood will open the weekend for BYU and had a solid outing in Northridge, entering the week with a 1.50 ERA on 6.0 innings. Right-handed freshman Ryan Brady will take up game two after striking out six Matadors, but made his exit after 4.0 innings as CSUN tallied four runs. Lefties close out the series with senior Hayden Rogers (3.68 ERA, 7.1 IP, 5 K) and junior Kenny Saenz (15.00 ERA, 3.0 IP, four K) coming to the mound as starters. Like Thomas, lefty senior closer Riley Gates is steady, striking out six in 2.2 innings for two saves at CSUN.
 
These teams will meet for the first time since 2002 and take the field as opponents for the 75th time in a series that dates back to 1972. Hawai'i leads the series 42-30-2. The Cougars claimed a 2-1 series win when these teams faced off around the same dates in 2002.
 
After four games with the Cougars, the Rainbow Warriors conclude their 12-game homestand next weekend as hosts to the other West Coast Conference Co-Champions Loyola Marymount, March 1-4 at Les Murakami Stadium.
 
University of Hawai'i Games 4-7
What: Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (3-0) vs. Brigham Young Cougars (3-1)
When:  Thursday, February 22, 6:35 p.m. HT
Friday, February 23, 6:35 p.m. HT
              (DH) Saturday, February 24, 12:05 p.m. HT
Where: Honolulu, O'ahu (Les Murakami Stadium)
Television: None
Live Video Streaming: None
Radio: All games will be broadcast live on the radio with Jim Leahey and Josh Pacheco covering each game on the call. Thursday's series opener will appear on NBC Sports 1500 AM, while the three other games will air on ESPN Honolulu 1420 AM. Neighbor islands can listen to the Friday and Saturday games live on KNUI on Maui, KHLO in Hilo, KKON in Kona and KTOH on Kaua'i.
Audio Webcast: www.ESPN1420am.com | www.NBSSportsRadioHawaii.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

Game 4

Promotions: California Hotel and Casino is the series sponsor and will award a Vacations Hawaii Vegas Trip for two.  Fans can register to win at the sports marketing table located near the main entrance. Throwback Thursday (Feb. 22) will feature discount tickets prices in the upper level (Adults - $5; Senior Citizen - $4; Youth (ages 4 to HS) - $3). Friday's contest will be followed by an autograph session on the field.  Little League teams or groups that have purchased a group rate package 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 minutes prior to first pitch of the first game near the Big West Conference logo on the ground level).