Former Rainbow Warrior Andy Archer Welcomes UH Alumni in Seattle with Savannah Bananas

Former Rainbow Warrior Andy Archer Welcomes UH Alumni in Seattle with Savannah Bananas

Oct 2, 2025

Savannah Bananas/YouTube

Former Rainbow Warrior Andy Archer Welcomes UH Alumni in Seattle with Savannah Bananas

BY HSRN STAFF
PUBLISHED OCTOBER 2, 2025

For Andy Archer, the former University of Hawai‘i pitcher now throwing for the Savannah Bananas, one night in Seattle was unlike anything he had experienced in baseball. The Bananas’ stop in the Pacific Northwest wasn’t just another game on their Banana Ball tour — it turned into a homecoming of sorts, as dozens of UH alumni and Hawai‘i supporters were in the stands to cheer him on.

Archer said the weekend instantly became his favorite moment as a Banana, calling it “probably my favorite weekend ever.” For the past two years, he had felt the love from Hawai‘i at a distance, but to see that support show up in person was overwhelming.

The night before the game, a special pau hana alumni gathering set the tone for the weekend. Archer was asked to share a few words, and though unprepared, he called the experience deeply moving — a reminder of the powerful connection he still shares with his alma mater.

Photo courtesy of UH Alumni

Game day brought another unforgettable moment. Archer had brainstormed a handful of ideas for a big entrance — a graduation lei ceremony, a John John Florence-style championship celebration, even a Polynesian drumline — and sent them off, unsure which one would stick. Then came the text: You’re going to tarp surf.

Practice was anything but smooth. Standing six-foot-five in cleats on a tiny, motorized skateboard, Archer struggled to balance as teammates pulled the tarp. Dozens of attempts never lined up perfectly. “There wasn’t a single moment in rehearsal that felt right,” he laughed. But on game day, everything clicked. His teammate gave the perfect pull, Archer rode through a flawless “barrel,” and the skit ended with teammates draping him in lei right in front of the UH alumni. “It couldn’t have gone better,” he said. “And it was the first time we’d actually done it right.”

Later that night, after pitching, Archer walked off the mound and straight into the stands, weaving through the section where Hawai‘i fans and alumni were gathered. He mingled with the crowd, signed autographs, and posed for photos, only rushing back at the last moment to make it in time for the team’s finale dance.

The night was made even more emotional by the presence of his hānai family, who saw him pitch in person for the first time in a Savannah Banana uniform. “It was such a special moment,” Archer said. “They’ve been one of the greatest influences in my life, and I was so pumped to share that with them.”

As he looked back on the weekend, Archer’s gratitude was clear. More than the stunts, the pitching, or even the win itself, it was the connection to the Hawai‘i community that made it unforgettable. “It was a reminder of how strong the Hawai‘i ohana is, no matter where you are,” he said. “That night will always hold a special place in my heart.”

Photos courtesy of UH Alumni

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Mānoa Magic muffled by Cal Poly pitching, ending Hawai’i’s Big West run

Mānoa Magic muffled by Cal Poly pitching, ending Hawai’i’s Big West run

May 24, 2025

Hawai’i 1B Ben Zeigler-Namoa walks back to the plate during a home game. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Mānoa Magic muffled by Cal Poly pitching, ending Hawai’i’s Big West run

BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED MAY 24, 2025

The end of the Rainbows’ road.

The 2025 season and first-ever Big West Baseball Tournament run for the University of Hawai’i baseball team finished up on Friday afternoon as UH dropped a 2-1 heartbreaker to No. 2 seed Cal Poly. The fourth-seeded Rainbow Warriors outhit the Mustangs, eight to four, but struggled in the clutch as they left seven men on base and committed two errors in the loss.

Hawai’i right-hander Freddy Rodriguez was charged with the tough-luck loss, going a season-high 6.0 innings while allowing just two runs on three hits and two walks. The former Mustang-turned-Rainbow Warrior kept Cal Poly hitless through the opening three innings before the second seed busted through with three hits to score two runs in the bottom of the fourth.

“I thought it was amazing,” UH head coach Rich Hill said of Rodriguez’s performance. “I had a talk with Freddy before the game just about managing the moment …  [the connections with Cal Poly, emotions of starting playoff game] and he stopped me halfway through the conversation and was like Coach, I got it. I’m good.”

Cal Poly left-handed reliever Josh Morano picked up the win for the Mustangs, twirling an outstanding 6.1 innings of scoreless ball out of the bullpen before giving way to redshirt senior LHP Jake Torres for the save in the top of the ninth. The No. 2 seed got two full frames of work from redshirt junior LHP Luke Kovach to open the game, seeing the pro prospect work out of zero outs, bases-loaded jam in the top of the first inning with only one run of damage before shutting down UH in the second.

Hawai’i (35-21) started the game swinging, collecting three straight hits off Kovach as Matt Miura led off with a single, followed by Jordan Donahue doing the same before Ben Zeigler-Namoa smoked an RBI double to bring home the Rainbow Warriors’ lone run of the day before the first out had been recorded.

After walking Elijah Ickes to load the bases, Kovach quickly recovered as he struck out the next two UH batters and induced an inning-ending groundout to limit the damage to the single run. While Rodriguez pitched a gem on the other side, the missed chance with the nobody out and the bases loaded came back to haunt the Rainbow Warriors.

The two teams traded zeros until the Mustangs broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning, collecting two hits in the first two batters after being held without one through the first three frames. A wild pitch allowed both Cal Poly 2B Ryan Fenn and 3B Alejandro Garza to advance into scoring position with nobody out and SS Nate Castellon lifted a sacrifice fly to left that knotted the game up, 1-1.

Casey Murray Jr. brought home the go-ahead run for the Mustangs with a high chopper that was tapped along the first base line, beating out an infield single as Garza crossed home. Hawai’i recovered to get out of the inning without any further damage, but the lead was gone for good.

Cal Poly’s Morano diced up the Rainbow Warriors, allowing only two base runners across five frames as the Mustangs clung to the 2-1 advantage heading into the top of the ninth.

One final time, the resilient Hawai’i group tried to come through in “Bow Warrior Time” as two of the first three batters reached to put the go-ahead run on base and chase Morano from the game with two outs left to work with. After Shunsuke Sakaino moved both runners into scoring position with a productive second out, designated hitter Xaige Lancaster stepped to the plate for UH’s final chance.

The sophomore fought off a no-ball, one-strike offering toward the Cal Poly’s Fenn at second base, grounding out to end the Rainbow Warrior rally just short as the Mustangs held on, 2-1. With the victory, Cal Poly advanced into Saturday night’s first Big West Championship game against top-seeded UC Irvine. The Mustangs will need to win two games to clinch the automatic qualifier bid to the NCAA Tournament out of the Big West, UC Irvine needs one win and gets two tries.

The disappointing end didn’t take away from the love and shared brotherhood from an exciting season that saw Hawai’i reach the 35-win threshold for the second straight year, the first time in more than three decades that the program had achieved that feat. The UH senior class, many who joined the program at the same time Rich Hill did, were sent off with a season’s worth of some of the best fan attendances in the entire country.

(Note: Hawai’i ranked 19th nationally in fan attendance and first in the West region.)

“It is pretty amazing what these seniors have been able to do,” said Hill postgame of the group. “From the time we got on campus four years ago to now, the on-field success speaks for itself.”

UH’s head man continued to heap praise on his veteran leaders, not just as players but as people in their development with the University of Hawai’i. Making mention of the current state and perception of college athletics in the modern NIL and transfer portal era, Hill remained steady that the purpose of the job is the same: growth.

“That what people, I don’t know if they get it about college athletics, you know, and where it’s going,” Hill said. “It’s about growth and development. It’s about these guys going out into their community and just being pillars, being great fathers and great husbands. Learning the things, through the game of baseball specifically, but really sports that will enable them to put the gloves on and just get after it in life. That’s what our culture is all about.”

The seniors addressed the entire team at the field after the season-ending defeat, expressing their love for each other while the group reaffirmed that the year together resulted in a brotherhood for life. The Rainbow Warrior fanbase may also feel that type of affinity for the group, one who turned in one of the top five winning percentages among West region programs over the last four years.

The 2025 season had a multitude of heart-stopping victories as Hawai’i’s “never say die” attitude led to nine wins in games they trailed or were tied heading into the ninth inning. In all, UH collected six walk-off victories and outscored opponents by an astounding 22 runs in the ninth inning this year.

In the end, the magic came up just short for the season. Overall, it’ll continue with the group forever.

‘Bows break out the bats to eliminate Cal State Fullerton

‘Bows break out the bats to eliminate Cal State Fullerton

May 23, 2025

Hawai’i SS Jordan Donahue walks back towards the dugout during a home game for the Rainbow Warriors. The senior hit his third HR of the year on Friday to help UH take down Cal State Fullerton. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

‘Bows break out the bats to eliminate Cal State Fullerton

BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED MAY 23, 2025

Another elimination game, another survival statement.

The University of Hawai’i baseball team ended the season of a third different program this week on Friday evening, eliminating No. 3 seed Cal State Fullerton (29-27) from the first Big West Baseball Championship tournament, 16-4. Center fielder Matt Miura led the way for the Rainbow Warrior bats, going 4-for-6 at the dish with two runs scored and another three runs batted in as the No. 4 seed sent the Titans packing behind 19 hits as a team.

Senior left-hander Cory Ronan picked up with win for Hawai’i (35-20) as he spun 1.1 innings of one-run ball, allowing two hits and walking one while facing seven batters. Sophomore star Isaiah Magdaleno picked up his ninth save of the year for the Rainbow Warriors, going 3.2 innings and striking out three to help deliver UH into Saturday’s action.

Jordan Donahue continued his hot streak of the week with his third home run in six days, doing a little bit of everything as he walked, stole two bases, scored three runs and turned in a team-best four RBI with a 2-for-5 showing at the plate. Senior left fielder Kamana Nahaku also went 2-for-5 with a trio of RBIs for Hawai’i, following up Donahue’s demolition with his team-leading 10th home run to help put the game out of reach in the later frames.

Hawai’i went with left-hander Sebastian Gonzalez on the mound to open things against Cal State Fullerton. The sophomore southpaw struggled against the Titans during the regular season, taking the loss back on May 10 when he allowed four runs on eight hits in 4.1 innings, but got a massive chance at redemption with stakes at a season highpoint.

Gonzalez got off to a slow start, allowing the first three batters to reach via base hit and a run to score before recording his first out. The lefty wiggled out of the jam with only one run given up and quickly got scoring support as the offense plated three in the top half of the second to put the Rainbow Warriors ahead, 3-1.

After getting the first two outs easily, Gonzalez had to again escape trouble in the bottom of the second inning after a single and two walks loaded the bases for CSUF. Gonzalez got 1B Carter Johnstone to ground out to end the Titans’ threat and proceeded to lock in and retire the final seven batters that he faced before handing the ball over to Ronan to begin the fifth.

After Hawai’i added another run in the top half of the inning, Ronan continued the strong stuff from the Hawai’i pitching staff through the fifth frame before allowing a run as he worked into trouble in the sixth. Head coach Rich Hill immediately pulled the rip cord for star closer Isaiah Magdaleno with 11 outs still to go on defense for the Rainbow Warriors, taking no chances with no tomorrow promised.

Magdaleno quickly extinguished the potential rally with a strikeout and flyout, sending Hawai’i into the seventh inning still with a comfortable 5-2 lead.

The advantage doubled in the top of the seventh as the Rainbow Warriors put up a five-spot behind a pair of home runs from Donahue and Nahaku and a 2-RBI double from Shunsuke Sakaino. Cal State Fullerton sliced back with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the frame, but that was the closest that the Titans would get as Hawai’i added six more insurance runs in the ninth to subdue the home squad of the host site.

“Not a lot of adjectives that can describe our performance in every facet today,” Hill opened his postgame presser saying, giving credit to starting LHP Sebastian Gonzalez for starting the momentum for the team to build on.

“I thought it all started with Gonzo. You know, he is a fiery competitor, and I mean, that’s one run through four innings,” the UH head coach said of his starting pitcher’s performance on two days of rest.

Also pitching on short rest, Hill admitted that Ronan faced some fatigue but was able to get the team to a point where they could turn the ball over to one of the best closers in the country.

“[Ronan] was able to throw that breaking ball for a strike, get us to a situation where our MVP, Magdaleno, took control,” said Hill. “It was an awesome pitching performance.”

Sophomore third baseman Elijah Ickes also turned in an excellent night for Hawai’i as he went 3-for-5 with a walk and two runs scored. Ickes’ lead-off triple in the second inning was UH’s first hit of the night and provided an immediate response after CSUF got on the board with a run in the first frame.

UH catcher Hunter Faildo collected a career-high three base hits against the Titans, providing a 3-for-4 showing at the plate while guiding the UH pitching staff along to a strong showing as he sat behind the dish.

Cal State Fullerton LHP Jayden Harper (3-1) was tagged with the loss, going just 3.1 innings while allowing four runs and giving up eight hits in a rare shaky performance. Entering the game, the junior had gone 12 straight innings without surrendering a run and spun five innings of no-hit ball against the Rainbow Warriors two weeks prior as part of that streak.

Hawai’i advances into Saturday’s elimination game against No. 2 seed Cal Poly, who fell in seven innings to top-seeded UC Irvine earlier on Friday, 15-3. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. (noon) HT on Saturday with the winner advancing to face the Anteaters in the Big West title game.

Early miscues, late insurance run sinks Hawai’i against UC Irvine

Early miscues, late insurance run sinks Hawai’i against UC Irvine

May 22, 2025

Hawai’i LF Kamana Nahaku takes an at-bat during a home game. The senior drilled an RBI double in UH’s loss to UCI on Thursday. | Photo Credit: Michael Lasquero, HSRN

Early miscues, late insurance run sinks Hawai’i against UC Irvine

BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED MAY 22, 2025

Too much to overcome.

The University of Hawai’i baseball team dropped the opening game of the Big West Tournament double-elimination bracket on Thursday, falling to top-seeded UC Irvine, 7-5. Left-handed pitcher Ricky Ojeda, the newly minted Big West Pitcher of the Year, picked up the win and moved to 13-0 on the season after going three innings in relief for the Anteaters (40-13) while UH’s Itsuki Takemoto was saddled with the loss.

“You tip your cap to UC Irvine,” UH head coach Rich Hill said to the media following the loss. “They did a great job with matchups and they’re very well coached.”

Hawai’i (34-20) got off to a slow start, finding a near-immediate hole as Takemoto allowed the first three UCI batters to reach and a run to score before finally retiring his first Anteater. In all, three hits, an HBP and a pair of wild pitches from UH’s sophomore starter allowed three runs home through one frame.

Rich Hill went straight to the bullpen after Takemoto opened the second inning with his second hit batter, going to hard-throwing right hander Liam O’Brien. Despite inducing what would have been an inning-ending double play ball, a fielding error by Shunsuke Sakaino allowed the bottom of the second to continue as the Anteaters put up another three-spot and extended the lead to 6-2.

O’Brien recalibrated after his first taste of tournament action to come back and spin two scoreless frames, helping keeping Hawai’i within striking distance before giving way to redshirt freshman Ethan Thomas. Thomas kept the scoreless streak going for the UH bullpen and Ben Zeigler-Namoa gave new life to the fourth seed in the top of the seventh as he crushed a three-run home run off Ojeda to cut the Rainbow Warriors’ deficit down to a single run.

“I love our guys,” Hill said. “I think we out-hit them, and that’s the No. 20 team in the country. Just putting together solid at-bats every inning, it didn’t seem like [UCI] had a 1-2-3 inning all night.”

The Rainbow Warrior rally hit a speed bump in the eighth inning, going down without scoring in the top half of the frame before UCI’s Will Bermudez added an insurance run in the bottom half with an RBI single that just squeaked out of the infield.

Hawai’i brought the tying run to the plate after Matt Miura’s one-out single in the top of the ninth, but UCI closer Max Martin struck out Sakaino and got Zeigler-Namoa to ground out to second base to end the Rainbow Warriors’ comeback try just short.

“There were a lot of really good things tonight,” a spirited Hill stated. “The mistakes that we made are glaring, but I would rather talk about how good some of the guys did and some of the positives.”

Zeigler-Namoa finished the game 1-for-5 at the plate with the big 3-run blow in the seventh while shortstop Jordan Donahue turned in a 3-for-4 performance at the plate with a run scored. Left fielder Kamana Nahaku broke up UH’s scoreless streak against the Anteaters with his RBI double in the top of the second inning, helping bring home a run for the Rainbow Warriors for the first time in more than 23 innings against UCI.

With the loss, UH drops into the elimination bracket with a chance to play back into a spot in the Big West Tournament championship game. Hawai’i will face the loser of the Cal State Fullerton-Cal Poly matchup on the other side of the bracket on Friday at 4 p.m. HT in an elimination game.

“We’re a tough ball club,” Zeigler-Namoa said to finish UH’s postgame media availability. “I think we ultimately stick together no matter what and I think teams don’t want to see us right now. We’re just sticking through it, grinding through it day-by-day and we’re just excited that we get to play another day tomorrow.”

Hawaii breaks out the bats to even series against No. 15 UCSB

Hawaii breaks out the bats to even series against No. 15 UCSB

Mar 16, 2025

Hawaii breaks out the bats to even series against No. 15 UCSB

BY MICHAEL LASQUERO | HSRN
PUBLISHED MARCH 16, 2025

HONOLULU – Put the brooms away. The bats are out.

After dropping a 2-1 contest the night before, the Hawai’i baseball team caught fire offensively to even its Big West series against No. 15 UC Santa Barbara with a 15-7 win before a sold-out crowd at Les Murakami Stadium Saturday night.

The Rainbow Warriors (13-5 overall, 2-3 Big West) tallied 16 total hits to set up the rubber game for the series victory Sunday. First pitch is slated for 1:05 p.m.

Itsuki Takemoto led the way at the plate with a 3-for-5 performance that included a three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth to give Hawai’i a 9-3 lead. He finished the night with four total RBIs.

Jared Quandt was also solid with a 3-for-5 day at the plate with three RBIs and three runs scored.

Ben Ziegler-Namoa, Elijah Ickes, Kamana Nahaku and Draven Nushida all recorded two hits apiece to round out the offense.

Three pitchers combined for 12 strikeouts, led by Isaiah Magdaleno’s six in three innings to earn the save. Liam O’Brien threw five strikeouts in four innings to start the game while Freddy Rodriguez picked up his second win of the season in two innings pitched.