HONOLULU – Backed by another strong start from right-hander
Hekili Robello and an early offensive surge, the Hawai'i baseball team bounced back to defeat Cal State Fullerton, 6-2, on Saturday night at Les Murakami Stadium.
Robello (5-1) continued his stellar junior campaign, tossing six scoreless innings to secure the victory. The Hilo native scattered seven hits, walked two, and struck out five on 96 pitches, consistently navigating out of trouble. Robello improved to 5-1 on the season and lowered his ERA to 2.48, running his season strikeout total to 41.
The Rainbow Warriors (14-11, 4-7 Big West) jumped on Titans starter Bobby Mahoney for three runs in the bottom of the second inning. After
Kody Watanabe legged out an RBI fielder's choice to put UH on the board,
Josh Martin made it 2-0 with an RBI single and Watanabe came in to score on a first and third play to make it 3-0.
Hawai'i added insurance runs in the middle frames, plating one run in the fifth and another in the sixth to build a 5-0 advantage.
Christian Hoffman provided the biggest swing, launching a no-doubt solo shot out to right field in the sixth inning for his second home run of the season. Hoffman drove in another run in the eighth, finishing the night 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a walk.
Catcher
Jake Redding helped pace the offense, going 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored.
Tate Shimao added a multi-hit performance by going 2-for-4, while
Elijah Ickes, Watanabe, and Martin each drove in a run to round out a balanced attack. Ickes also reached base two additional times after being hit by a pitch twice.
Cal State Fullerton (12-14, 6-5 Big West) avoided the shutout by scratching across two runs in the top of the eighth inning. Hawai'i reliever
Saul Soto allowed one run over 1.1 innings before giving way to closer
John Alkire II. Alkire would limit the damage, eventually striking out three batters over the final 1.2 innings to halt the rally and seal the win.
The Rainbow Warriors will go for the series win Sunday at 1:05 p.m. at Les Murakami Stadium.