HONOLULU – After not leaving the state over the first 16 games of the season, Hawai'i will head to the mainland for the first time when it opens Big West play at Cal State Bakersfield.
The Rainbow Warriors, who played 15 of their first 16 games in Les Murakami Stadium, will take on the Roadrunners Friday through Sunday on the opening weekend of conference play. Bakersfield leads the all-time series between the schools, 9-6, and took two of three games last year in Honolulu.
| HAWAI'I (10-6, 0-0 Big West) at CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD (3-14, 0-0 Big West) |
| Dates & Times |
Friday, Mar. 15 - 3 p.m. HT
Saturday, Mar. 16 - 10 a.m. HT
Sunday, Mar. 17 - 10 a.m. HT |
| Location |
Bakersfield, Calif. -- Hardt Field |
| Radio |
TBD (Friday) | ESPN Honolulu (Saturday, Sunday) |
| TV/Live Stream |
ESPN+ |
| Live Stats |
Here |
| PDF Notes |
Hawai'i | Cal State Bakersfield |
| Social Media |
@HawaiiBaseball  | @Hawaiibsb  |
| Projected Rotations |
Hawai'i
Friday -- TBD
Saturday -- TBD
Sunday -- TBD |
Cal State Bakersfield
Friday -- TBD
Saturday -- TBD
Sunday -- TBD |
HEAD COACH RICH HILL
At Hawai'i: 67-50, 3rd season
Collegiate Record: 1,146-788-4, 37th season
SERIES VS. CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD
Bakersfield leads, 9-6
Last Meeting: 2023 in Honolulu, CSUB won series 2-1
LEADING OFF
DID YOU KNOW?
Reigning Big West Pitcher of the Week
Randy Abshier has struck out 31 batters over his last three appearances - the most by a UH pitcher in a three-game span since 2017 (Brendan Hornung - 31). Abshier's 32 total Ks rank second in the league and 23rd nationally.
WALK IT OUT
The Rainbow Warriors have been one of the best teams in the country at drawing free passes through the first four weeks of the season. UH is currently seventh in the country and first in the Big West with 123 walks while also getting hit by 30 pitches to amount to 153 free passes. The 'Bows are also second in the conference and 29th nationally with a .435 OBP and are one of two teams in the Big West with more walks than strikeouts.
BIG WEST SUCCESS
Under head coach
Rich Hill, the Rainbow Warriors have enjoyed a level of success in Big West play that it hasn't seen since they joined the league in 2013. Hawai'i is 37-23 in two seasons under Hill in Big West play and have finished third in and fifth in the league in the last two years, UH has also gone 20 straight conference series without being swept, a streak that is the second longest active one in the conference.
HOT START
Junior shortstop
Jordan Donahue has gotten off to a hot start at the plate in 2024, leading the team and sitting in second in the conference with a .426 batting average. He also ranks in the top five in the conference in both on-base percentage (.533) and OPS (1.129) and leads the team with seven multi-hit games. The starter at shortstop for the last 13 games, Donahue has committed just one error in 49 chances and owns a .980 fielding percentage.
LIGHTS OUT BULLPEN
The Rainbow Warrior bullpen has been lights out over the first few weeks of the season. UH has leaned on its relievers to shoulder the majority of the workload, accounting for 63.9 percent of the team's innings pitched and 57.5 percent of the strikeouts. Additionally, Hawai'i bullpen arms have combined to earn eight of the team's 10 wins while owning a 3.25 ERA among other impressive stats.
Notable Bullpen Stats
ERA – 3.25
W-L Record – 8-2
Innings Pitched – 91.1
Strikeout-to-Walk – 88-36
Batting Average Against - .225
