Fujinaka gets 100th career win as HPU splits with Cal State LA to open 2026

WAIPAHU — Teamwork makes the dream work.

The Hawai’i Pacific University baseball team got contributions from across the board Saturday afternoon to pick up its first win of the 2026 season in a 13-5 victory over visiting California State University Los Angeles at Hans L’Orange Park.

While it was win No. 1 of the year, it was HPU head coach Dane Fujinaka’s 100th career win in his fifth year since taking over the program in 2022.

“It’s a team effort. It’s a cool recognition for everybody involved, not just myself. Everybody that’s been through the program and continued to support us,” Fujinaka said.

“That milestone is not just for me. It’s a team milestone, it’s a program milestone. It’s a new era of HPU baseball milestone.”

The victory comes one day after the Sharks (1-1) put up a stinker against the Golden Eagles, 16-1, to open the season. It was the most runs allowed by HPU since a 17-1 loss to Westmont on March 11, 2024.

Fujinaka said the message after the loss was to be tougher.

“We’re as talented as anybody that we’re going to play this year and (Cal State LA) really were just tougher,” he said. “It was nice to see them respond today.”

After garnering just three hits in the season opener, HPU exploded for 12 hits while drawing 15 free passes to the bag (11 walks and four hit by pitch). The Sharks also used a different lineup with Chase Christenson leading things off at the designated hitter position after not playing the day before.

Christenson started the bottom of the first with a single to right field, which was followed by Kan Taguchi’s first hit of the season. Senior center fielder Noah Hata also notched his first single of the year on the next at bat to bring home Christenson. Two batters later, new starting catcher Blake Helsper singled to left to score Taguchi to make it a 2-1 game after the first inning.

Chase Christenson got the start at designated hitter in the rematch against Cal State LA. | Photo: Michael Lasquero

“I kind of wanted to mix it up and just learn about our guys,” Fujinaka said. “These first couple weeks and even throughout the rest of the year, we have to continue to learn about each other and get better and preseason is really your opportunity to try new things out.

“For Chase, the decision to have him lead off, I just thought he’s kind of been a spark plug when he’s hot and the message after yesterday was we need to be aggressive. That’s our MO as an offense is ultra aggressive and he came ready to hit and was able to spark it.”

Of the starters, Taguchi had himself a day going 3-for-6 at the plate with two RBIs and two runs. Rylen Bayne, who got the start at right field after pitching the final two innings on Friday, was another starter with a multi-hit game.

It wasn’t just the starters putting in work either.

With the score tied at 2-2 with the bases loaded in the bottom of the fourth, standout sophomore Tyler Arnold made his season debut off the bench with a a double that made the score 4-2. Arnold earned PacWest first team honors as a true freshman in 2025, but is nursing a lower leg injury.

“Tyler being able to come in with half a leg and be able to get a big hit there was big time,” Fujinaka said of Arnold.

Arnold’s two RBI double ignited an eight-run inning that saw HPU take a 10-2 lead into the fifth.

Another player off the bench that did well was Brock Wirthgen with a hit, two walks, two RBIs and two runs scored in three plate appearances. Christian Perez also had a two RBI triple to cap the eight-run explosion in the fourth.

Saturday was also the debut of a new postgame tradition by the Sharks where they recognized a player for their contribution in the game and to the team. Redshirt freshman Ziah Chang, who graduated high school from Kamehameha Schools’ Maui campus, was the first honoree after getting his first career hit while making a handful of plays in right field off the bench.

“I thought it was a cool way to celebrate certain guys off the bench or just a play or a player that stood out to me and today was Ziah Chang,” Fujinaka said.

“I’m super happy for him because he put in the time. He’s a red shirt guy, Maui kid that had to develop and get better. He’s continuing to get better and I’m just super happy for him to come through today. It’s a big moment for him.”

Andrew Nykoluk got the start on the mound and allowed just two hits in 2 2/3 innings while striking out three. The runs charged against him were both unearned.

Jayden Gabrillo earned the win as a middle reliever pitching 3 1/3 innings. He walked two, struck out three and was tagged with two earned runs and four hits.

The Sharks allowed one more run in the seventh with Jett Ah Sam on the mound before Ethan Harris and Noah Meaux closed out the eight and the ninth without allowing a hit or a run.

In the season opener against the Golden Hawks, the only players to record a hit were Perez, Ethan Murakoshi and Owen Wessel.

Jacob Vanek was the most effective pitcher in the first game of 2026, going 3 2/3 innings with six strikeouts while just surrounding one hit.

The Sharks resume non-conference play on Thursday when they host Saint Martin’s in a double-header.