HONOLULU - After winning three of seven games against Power 5 opponents to begin the season, Hawai'i will hit the road for the first time Wednesday when it heads to the Big Island to take on Hawai'i Hilo at 6 p.m. at Francis Wong Stadium.
Following Wednesday's interisland matchup, the Rainbow Warriors will return home to host Holy Cross for four games beginning Friday. UH leads the all-time series against the Vulcans 114-21, with the last meeting coming in 2021.
HEAD COACH RICH HILL
At Hawai'i: 60-48, 3rd season
Collegiate Record: 1,139-786-4, 37th season
SERIES VS. HILO
UH leads, 114-21
Last Meeting: Mar. 14, 2021 (UH won, 13-0)
LEADING OFF
DID YOU KNOW?
Ben Zeigler-Namoa currently leads the Big West and is tied for eighth in the country with 11 walks. He has walked at least three times in three different games and is one of six Hawai'i starters with an on-base percentage of at least .500.
TOE-TO-TOE WITH POWERHOUSES
The Rainbow Warriors opened the season by taking three of seven games against perennial powerhouse programs Ole Miss and NC State. UH split a four-game series against 2022 College World Series champion Ole Miss on opening weekend, before taking one of three from No. 13 NC State. Three of the four losses came by three or fewer runs as the 'Bows outscored the Rebels and Wolfpack 55-47.
BIG ISLAND BOYS
The UH roster has a number of connections to the Big Island, highlighted by five players who call the Island of Hawai'i home. Catcher
Dallas Duarte and pitcher
Tai Atkins both starred at Kamehameha Schools-Hawai'i while second baseman
Stone Miyao was a two-time all-state selection at Waiakea High School. Infielder
Bronson Rivera was a standout at Konawaena High School and
Xaige Lancaster prepped at Hilo High School.
PARTY AT THE LES
Fans have packed Les Murakami Stadium to see the Rainbow Warriors in action against elite competition. A total of 23,663 fans have come through the doors at The Les over the first seven games for an average of 3,944 per game. The stadium has been sold out twice in the first six home dates while all six announced attendances have been over 3,400, including three over 4,000. UH is currently 17th nationally in average attendance and leads all teams in the west.
WALK IT OUT
The Rainbow Warriors have shown some high-level plate discipline over the first two weeks of the season, drawing 56 walks to lead the Big West. Hawai'i also ranks 14th nationally in bases on balls through seven games and has worked an average of eight walks per game.
Ben Zeigler-Namoa leads the way with 11 walks, a number that ranks eighth nationally and first in the Big West.
Austin Machado and
Elijah Ickes both also rank in the top five in the conference in walks, with Machado in third with eight and Ickes in fifth with seven.
LIGHTS OUT FRESHMEN
The Rainbow Warriors have gotten some lights out performances from several freshmen pitchers over the first two weekends. Six freshmen have earned the win in all three of UH's victories while picking up both saves and combining to strike out 20 batters over 18.2 innings. Freshmen
Zacary Tenn and
Isaiah Magdaleno have combined for three wins while
Itsuki Takemoto has gotten each of the Rainbow Warriors' two saves this year.
» Takemoto has struck out six batters over four innings while allowing just one hit, and is one of two Big West pitchers with multiple saves.
» Tenn has earned the win in both of his appearances, and has not given up a hit or walk over 2.1 innings.
» Magdaleno and Takemoto combined to strike out 11 batters over seven innings while allowing just a run on three hits in a Feb. 17 win over Ole Miss.
