HONOLULU – If they only played half-an-inning, the UH-Hilo Vulcans would have had everything they needed to beat the ‘Bows of the University of Hawai’i-Mānoa. 

The Vulcans struck first on Tuesday evening, opening the scoring with a two-out RBI double from Trent Jackson to put Hilo ahead by a run just minutes into the 2nd meeting of the season between UH-Mānoa and UH-Hilo. 

Unfortunately for the Division II visitors, that lead was short-lived. 

The Rainbow Warriors answered back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the 1st as the first five batters in the frame reached. Kyson Donahue brought home the tying run with a base-hit to right field with the bases loaded and Austin Machado gave the ‘Bows the lead a couple pitches later as he crossed the plate with the help of a passed ball. 

Sean Rimmer extended the Hawai’i advantage with a leadoff homerun over the centerfield fence in the bottom of the 2nd, kicking off an offensive onslaught for the ‘Bows as five runs came home in the inning to make it 7-1 in favor of the home team. 

The offensive explosion continued for the Rainbow Warriors in the 3rd with two more runs as Machado was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Donahue grounded out for his second RBI of the evening to make it 9-1. After trading zeroes in the 4th inning, the ‘Bows got back to their scoring ways in the 5th with a trio of scores to push the lead into double-digits. 

Hawai’i closed out the scoring in the bottom of the 7th and continued to hold Hilo off the board, cruising to a 13-1 victory over their inter-island rival to complete the sweep of all four games against Hawai’i’s Division II programs. In all, UH outscored Chaminade, Hawai’i Pacific and UH-Hilo by 36 runs over the four meetings this season while only allowing four total runs. 

Vulcans’ starter Aaron Davies was charged with the loss for Hilo, going 1.0 innings and allowing seven runs (6 ER) on four hits and five free passes (2 walks, 3 HBP) while not making it out of the 2nd inning. Hilo struck out nine times in total, generating just three hits through nine innings as the Vulcans dropped to 19-31 to finish the season. 

Hunter Gotschall picked up the win for the ‘Bows, evening his record at 1-1 on the season. The right-handed reliever went two innings strong for UH, allowing just one baserunner on a walk while striking out three. Kyson Donahue led the Hawai’i offense, going 2-for-3 with three runs batted in while freshman two-way player Itsuki Takemoto picked up his first college hit in the 8th inning with a single up the middle. 

Hawai’i hosts Cal State Northridge for a three-game set this weekend, looking for a season-high sixth consecutive win when the two programs face off on Friday, May 3. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. HT.