BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Hawai'i baseball team rode a strong start from junior right-hander
Hekili Robello and timely offense to defeat Cal State Bakersfield, 5-3, on Saturday afternoon at Hardt Field to even their weekend series.
Robello (7-2) continued his stellar season, tossing 6.2 innings and allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out five to earn the victory. The Hilo native has worked six or more innings in each of his last five outings and posted his seventh quality start of the year. Freshman
Brody Martin-Grudzielanek was electric out of the bullpen, firing 2.1 scoreless, hitless innings and striking out four batters, including the final three of the game to secure his second save of the season.
The Roadrunners (16-23, 7-10 Big West) struck first in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI groundout. However, the Rainbow Warriors (19-15, 9-11 Big West) answered immediately in the top of the second.
Noah Rodriguez drew a walk, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a
Kamaehu Sanchez RBI double down the left-field line to knot the game at 1-1.
Hawai'i chased CSUB starter Ethan Minaker (0-2) and took the lead for good with a two-run surge in the fifth inning. After a Kamana Nahku single and a pair of walks loaded the bases,
Tate Shimao was hit by a pitch to force in
Taylor Takata.
Evan Rolbiecki then delivered an RBI fielder's choice to score Nahaku, giving the 'Bows a 3-1 advantage.
The Roadrunners got one run back in the bottom of the frame on an RBI single from Jacob May to cut the deficit to 3-2.
The Rainbow Warriors added a pair of critical insurance runs in the seventh inning.
Ben Zeigler-Namoa, who doubled earlier in the frame, scored on a wild pitch. Pinch-hitter
Draven Nushida immediately followed with a clutch RBI single to left field, scoring Shimao to extend the lead to 5-2.
CSUB scratched across a final run in the bottom of the seventh on a sacrifice fly from Brendan Thompson before Martin-Grudzielanek entered to shut the door, improving UH to 15-0 on the year when leading after six innings.
The Rainbow Warriors and Roadrunners will play the rubber game on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. HT.
