LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The University of Hawai‘i baseball team claimed a share of the WAC regular-season title Saturday on the heels of a resounding 24-3 toppling of New Mexico State. It was the regular-season finale for both teams as
LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The University of Hawai‘i baseball team claimed a share of the WAC regular-season title Saturday on the heels of a resounding 24-3 toppling of New Mexico State. It was the regular-season finale for both teams as the Rainbows improve to 32-23 overall and 17-7 in the WAC, while the Aggies finish 34-22 and 9-15 in conference.
As co-regular season champions with Fresno State, UH claims its first title since 1992, states a UH press release. The team also won the WAC Tournament that year.
The Rainbows must await the conclusion of this weekend’s WAC play to determine if they are the No. 1 seed in the WAC Tournament.
Breland Almadova (5 for 7, four runs, two RBIs) recorded a single-game career high in hits, and Zack Swasey (4 for 6, three runs, six RBIs) did the same with his six runs batted in.
Pi‘ikea Kitamura batted 3 for 4 with two runs and three RBIs, while Jeff Van Doornum added three hits, two runs, and four RBIs.
Kolten Wong was 2 for 3 with four runs and three RBIs.
Argenis Paz led the Aggies with two hits and two runs scored.
Connor Little (4-4) earned the win for UH in a rare relief appearance, allowing no earned runs in 2.1 innings pitched.
Trey Ross (6-4) was tagged with the loss in 3.1 innings of work for NMSU.
The Rainbows won on the heels of a 15-run sixth inning, equaling a program record set in 1989. UH scored 13 of those runs with two outs.
The double elimination WAC tournament begins Wednesday in Mesa, Ariz.
