The University of Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors baseball team will host Wichita State for a four-game series at Les Murakami Stadium from Thursday through Sunday. The games are part of the team’s season-opening homestand following a series win over Gonzaga that included two walk-off victories.
This matchup continues the rivalry between Hawai’i and Wichita State, with UH having won three out of four games last year in Honolulu. Hawai’i leads the all-time series 27-24.
A highlight of the weekend will be Friday’s pregame ceremony honoring former head coach Les Murakami, who was inducted into the College Baseball Hall Of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. Murakami led the program from 1971 to 2000, compiling a record of 1,079-570-4 and guiding UH to its only College World Series appearance in 1980. More than 50 former players and assistant coaches are expected to attend the celebration.
“Join us to help honor coach Les Murakami on his induction to the College Baseball Hall Of Fame,” event organizers stated. “Altres is the sponsor of this weekend’s series and will be giving away limited edition Les Murakami Hall Of Fame hats to the first 600 fans through the door for Friday’s game.”
The pregame ceremony on Friday will include presenting Coach Murakami with his Hall Of Fame blazer by current Hall Of Famers Derek Tatsuno and Gene Stephenson, long-time Wichita State head coach.
Hawai’i enters this series with a record of 3-1 (0-0 Big West), while Wichita State is undefeated at 4-0 (0-0 American). Projected starting pitchers for Hawai’i include Isaiah Magdaleno, Hekili Robello, Brody Martin-Grudzielanek, and Liam O’Brien. For Wichita State, Matthew Cuccias, Brady Hamilton, Johnny Nuanez, and Reese Kortum are slated to start.
Since early last season, Hawai’i has become known for dramatic finishes. The Rainbow Warriors have achieved eight walk-off wins since 2025—four via base hit and others by walk, balk, wild pitch or error—and have taken eleven games when scoring go-ahead runs in the ninth inning or later.
Under head coach Rich Hill—now in his fifth season—the Rainbow Warriors have posted four consecutive winning seasons since joining the Big West Conference in 2012. The team has also maintained one of the best records among west coast programs over recent years: their .617 win percentage ranks fifth-best in that region since 2022.
Key returning players Draven Nushida, Elijah Ickes and Ben Zeigler-Namoa each have delivered clutch hits late in games during their careers.
Games will be broadcast on CBS 1500 (Thursday and Saturday) and ESPN Honolulu (Friday and Sunday), with TV coverage available on Spectrum Sports/ESPN+ for Friday’s contest.
