HONOLULU – The Hawai'i baseball team continues its season opening homestand when it wraps up nonconference play by hosting Ball State for a four-game series Thursday through Sunday at Les Murakami Stadium.

Off to a 5-3 start through two weeks, UH will look to continue building momentum in its final weekend before starting Big West play. The 'Bows and Cardinals will be meeting for the first time, and UH is facing a current MAC member for just the third time in program history (Central Michigan - 2012, Toledo - 1975).
 

HAWAI'I (5-3, 0-0 Big West) vs. BALL STATE (4-3, 0-0 MAC)
Dates & Times				Thurs., Feb. 26 -- 6:35 p.m. Fri., Feb. 27 -- 6:35 p.m. Sun., Feb. 28 -- 6:35 p.m. Sun., Mar. 1 -- 1:05 p.m.
Location				Honolulu, O'ahu -- Les Murakami Stadium
Radio				CBS 1500 (Thurs., Fri.) | ESPN Honolulu (Sat., Sun.)
TV/Live Stream				None
Live Stats				Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday
PDF Notes				Hawai'i | Ball State
Tickets				HERE
Marketing Promotions				Raising Cane's is the sponsor for 'Ohana Weekend, so bring out the entire family to Les Murakami Stadium. Families can enter to throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to Friday and Sunday's games and as always, one lucky keiki will be chosen to be the PA announcer during the bottom of the fifth inning.
Social Media				@HawaiiBaseball  | @Hawaiibsb
Projected Rotations				Hawai'i Thursday -- RHP Isaiah Magdaleno (0-0, 4.91) Friday -- RHP Hekili Robello (2-0, 1.50) Saturday -- RHP Brody Martin-Grudzielanek (0-1, 4.26) Sunday -- TBD	Ball State Thursday -- TBD Friday -- TBD Saturday -- TBD Sunday -- TBD

HEAD COACH RICH HILL
At Hawai'i: 134-84, 5th season
Collegiate Record: 1,213-822-4, 39th season

SERIES VS. BALL STATE
First Meeting

DID YOU KNOW?
Since the start of 2025, the Rainbow Warriors have won eight times via walk-off and 11 times total when taking the lead in the ninth inning or later. Of the eight walk-offs four have been delivered via base hit, and once each via walk, balk, wild pitch and error.
 
MANOA MAGIC IS BACK
The Rainbow Warriors have once again found a way to win some dramatic games early on in 2026. UH has won twice via walk-off, and three times when taking the lead in the eighth inning or later. Hawai'i walked off on Gonzaga on opening night before clinching the series win via walk-off again in the opening weekend finale. The 'Bows then came from down 6-0 after six innings to win 7-6 in the series opener against Wichita State last week.
 
7-8-9 IS 'BOW WARRIOR TIME
After a 2025 season that saw the Rainbow Warrior bats conjure up some late magic, the 'Bows have continued that trend into the new year. UH has won three games via go-ahead scoring plays in the eighth inning or later, including a pair of walk-off wins. Hawai'i walked off in the 10th inning on opening night when an error on an Elijah Ickes bunt allowed the winning run to score. Ickes then scored on a wild pitch in the series finale vs. Gonzaga on Feb. 16 for a 4-3 win before Kody Watanabe drove in the go-ahead run with an eighth-inning double to cap off a six-run comeback vs. Wichita State on Feb. 19.
 
CLOSE CALLS
Hawai'i has made a habit of winning close games through the first week of the season, leading the nation with five wins by either one or two runs. All of UH's wins have been by two runs or fewer, including three victories by one run and two by two runs. Two of those wins have come in walk-off fasion while another came when the 'Bows were down by six runs heading into the seventh inning. UH also has one loss in extra innings.
 
Most Wins By Two Runs or Fewer
1. Hawai'I – 5
T2. FGCU – 4
T2. Virginia Tech – 4
T2. Southern Miss – 4
T2. Little Rock – 4
T2. Central Arkansas – 4
 
LOCK DOWN BULLPEN
When UH has given itself a lead, it has been able to lean on a solid bullpen over the first two weeks of the season. The Rainbow Warriors are 4-0 when leading after six innings this year thanks to a number of key arms out of the bullpen. Tsubasa Tomii, Saul Soto and John Alkire II, among others, have all proven to be strong options in the late innings to either keep UH in games or hold on to leads.
 
» Tomii is tied for the lead nationally with five appearances and holds a 1.50 ERA and eight strikeouts over six innings pitched with just two hits allowed.
» Soto has a win and a save in four appearances with a 3.86 ERA over seven innings.
» UH is 4-0 when Alkire II appears in a game, and the senior has two saves and a 0.00 ERA over 5.1 IP.
 
HILO'S FINEST
One of the biggest additions to the Rainbow Warrior pitching staff through two weeks has been junior Hekili Robello. The Hilo native and Santa Rosa JC transfer has gotten the game two start in both series in 2026 and has worked at least six innings and earned the win both times. He owns a 1.50 ERA in 12.0 innings with 16 strikeouts to just one walk.
 
» Only pitcher in the Big West with at least 15 strikeouts and one or fewer walks.
» Worked six innings and struck out nine while walking just one in his last outing against Wichita State.
» Earned the win in his first appearance as a Rainbow Warrior vs. Gonzaga, fanning seven batters and walking none over six frames.