The Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors baseball team secured their second win of the season with a 5-3 victory over Gonzaga on Saturday night at Les Murakami Stadium. The game was played in front of a sold-out crowd.
Hawai’i took an early lead, scoring four runs in the first three innings. Tate Shimao started the game by getting hit by a pitch and later scored on an Elijah Ickes single. Ben Zeigler-Namoa also reached base after being hit by a pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly from Draven Nushida.
In the second inning, Christian Hoffman and Jake Redding hit back-to-back doubles, with Redding driving in Hoffman for another run. Hoffman contributed again in the fourth inning with a sacrifice fly that brought Kamana Nahaku home, increasing the lead to 4-0.
Pitcher Hekili Robello made his debut for Hawai’i, recording seven strikeouts and no walks over six innings. He allowed only three runs, one of which was earned. The defense supported him by turning three double plays, including one that ended a threat in the fifth inning.
Saul Soto entered as relief in the seventh inning during a bases-loaded situation and managed to get out of trouble by inducing a foul pop-up. Soto finished the final 2.1 innings with two strikeouts and earned his first save as a Rainbow Warrior.
Jake Redding provided additional support with his second RBI of the night in the eighth inning after Gonzaga narrowed the gap earlier in the seventh. Tino Bethancourt reached base via hit-by-pitch and advanced on Evan Rolbiecki’s sacrifice bunt before scoring on Redding’s single down the left field line.
Hawai’i will play Gonzaga again Sunday afternoon as they aim for their third consecutive win to start the season.
