BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The Hawai'i baseball team exploded for 14 runs on 17 hits, utilizing massive fifth and seventh innings to dismantle Cal State Bakersfield, 14-5, on Sunday afternoon at Hardt Field.
With the commanding victory, the Rainbow Warriors (20-15, 10-11 Big West) captured the pivotal weekend series over the Roadrunners (16-24, 7-11 Big West).
After a scoreless first four frames, the 'Bows broke the deadlock with a five-run surge in the fifth inning.
Ben Zeigler-Namoa put Hawai'i on the board with an RBI single, and
Tate Shimao immediately followed with a two-run double to left field.
Draven Nushida capped the frame with an RBI single, giving the Rainbow Warriors a 5-0 advantage.
Cal State Bakersfield answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth without recording a hit, utilizing three hit batters, two walks, and a sacrifice fly to cut the UH lead to 5-2.
However, tapping into their season-long trend of dominant late-game production, Hawai'i put the contest completely out of reach with a massive nine-run seventh inning. Zeigler-Namoa sparked the rally with a two-run single and an ensuing Roadrunner error, followed by an RBI single up the middle from Shimao.
First baseman
Josh Martin delivered the biggest swing of the afternoon, launching a three-run home run to right-center field—his first of the season – to make it 11-2. Zeigler-Namoa and Shimao each struck again later in the inning with another pair of RBI singles to cap the offensive onslaught.
Shimao finished the day 3-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, and four RBIs, while Zeigler-Namoa went 3-for-6 with two runs and four RBIs. Freshman
Mana Lau Kong added a stellar 3-for-4 performance with a sacrifice fly, an RBI, and two runs scored.
All nine Hawai'i starters recorded a hit, marking the first time that UH has done that since Apr. 27, 2024 at UC San Diego. The 10 hits in the massive seventh inning are also the most in an inning by a Rainbow Warrior team since Apr. 13, 2019 at UC Riverside.
On the mound, starter
John Alkire II worked 4.1 innings, allowing just one hit and two runs while striking out six. Reliever
Tsubasa Tomii (3-0) earned the win by tossing 3.1 hitless and scoreless innings with five strikeouts. The performance further lowered Tomii's spectacular season ERA to 1.08 on the season in 25.0 innings.
The Rainbow Warriors will continue their road trip with a midweek test against No. 1 UCLA on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m. HT.
