JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Hawaii outfielder Kamana Nahaku raised his glove after making a diving catch against Long Beach State during the fourth inning of Sunday’s game at Les Murakami Stadium.
1 /2 JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Hawaii outfielder Kamana Nahaku raised his glove after making a diving catch against Long Beach State during the fourth inning of Sunday’s game at Les Murakami Stadium.
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Hawaii head coach Rich Hill, center, talked to his team during the third inning of Sunday’s game against Long Beach State at Les Murakami Stadium.
2 /2 JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Hawaii head coach Rich Hill, center, talked to his team during the third inning of Sunday’s game against Long Beach State at Les Murakami Stadium.
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Hawaii outfielder Kamana Nahaku raised his glove after making a diving catch against Long Beach State during the fourth inning of Sunday’s game at Les Murakami Stadium.
JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM Hawaii head coach Rich Hill, center, talked to his team during the third inning of Sunday’s game against Long Beach State at Les Murakami Stadium.
RELATED PHOTO GALLERY With the potential tying run at third and the go-ahead one at first, the Rainbow Pep Band providing the between-pitches beat, and the majority of the 2, 653 in attendance chanting, “Let’s go, ’Bows, ” the scenario was set for another Hawaii baseball comeback.
And then … pffft.
Maui-reared Ka ‘imi Kahalekai struck out Draven Nushida to preserve Long Beach State’s 5-4 victory at Les Murakami Stadium.
In losing two of three this weekend, the’Bows failed to extend their streak of winning of nine home series in a row. The’Bows, who fell to 22-8 and 9-6 in the Big West, depart Monday for an eight-game, two-week road trip. The Dirtbags are 12-17 and 6-9.
The Dirtbags scored three unearned runs in the third inning and then add two insurance runs in the ninth for a 5-1 lead.
In his ninth UH at bat, pinch hitter Will Bowen pounded a solo homer over the fence in right field and onto Lower Campus Drive to cut the deficit to 5-2.
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One out after second baseman Shunsuke Sakaino singled, Maui-reared Ka ‘imi Kahalekai was summoned to replace reliever Tyler Gebb. Kahalekai walked Matthew Miura and gave up a single to Ben Zeigler-Namoa to load the bases. Kamana Nahaku popped up for the second out. Then Jared Quandt blooped an opposite-field single to drive home Sakaino and Miura, and send Zeigler-Namoa to third.
Instead of intentionally walking left-swinging Nushida to create force-outs at every base, LBSU head coach TJ Bruce put his trust in right-handed Kahalekai.
“That’s part of the Dirtbag brand, ” Bruce said. “That’s part of what (former coach ) Dave Snow built. It’s about trusting your preparation and your stuff. Baseball is a very confrontational game, especially the batter-pitcher matchup. We believe in Ka ‘imi.”
In Saturday’s game, Kaha lekai came back from a 3-0 count to strike out Nushida on three fastballs. This time, Kahalekai mixed in sliders before striking out Nushida with a fastball to end the game. It was the second save in a row for Kahalekai, a 2024 Kamehameha-Maui graduate who was recruited by UH after de-committing from Texas.
“I didn’t even know if I was facing him again, ” Kahalekai said. “I feel every hitter is the same hitter. I go in with my best stuff, and pray the best will happen. … I was throwing sliders. I ...
